Waverley, Taranaki

This article is about the town in Taranaki. For the suburb of Dunedin, see Waverley, Otago.
Waverley
Waverley
Coordinates: 39°45′40″S 174°37′48″E / 39.76111°S 174.63000°E / -39.76111; 174.63000
Country New Zealand
Region Taranaki
District South Taranaki District
Population (2006)
 • Total 861
Waverley Railway Station

Waverley is a small town located in the South Taranaki District in New Zealand. It is 44 km northwest of Wanganui. Patea is 17 km to the west, and Waitotara is 10 km to the southeast. State Highway 3 and the Marton - New Plymouth Line railway run through the town.[1][2]

The population was 861 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 42 from 2001.[3]

It was an important colonial stronghold during the land wars of the 1860s, during which time the town was called Wairoa. The town is well known for its farming and thoroughbred stables. The race horse Kiwi was trained in the paddocks of a Waverley sheep farm by owner Snow Lupton, and went on to go from last on the final bend to win the 1983 Melbourne Cup.

Waverley has a large sawmill which employs around 48 staff. The mill is the only major sawmill as far as New Plymouth in the north and Levin in the south.

Waverley Beach

Waverley has a black sand beach, the colour is due to iron sand deposits. The campground at the beach is well used in the summer months, as the beach provides safe surfing. Waverley has a number of cafes and coffee shops and is a popular place for tourists to stop for a break before entering the Taranaki region.

Waverley and surrounding community has a South Taranaki District Council LibraryPlus, which provides a full library service and Council related services. These services include being able to register your dog, pay your rates or inquire about obtaining a building permit. Other services include a Tot Time for the under 5s and bookclub catering to intermediate and high school age children. The LibraryPlus also has three APN computers, offering free internet and Skype to the public.

Waverley has a small skatepark as well as a playground in the town park that can be seen off the main road that runs through Waverley. Also on Brassey St there is a small dirt jump track for push bikes. The locals call it the BMX track. The cave at Waverley's cave beach is collapsing due to erosion.

Education

Waverley Primary School is a co-educational contributing primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 3 and a roll of 145.[4] Public education started in the area in 1873.[5] Waverley High School closed on 20 April 2007,[6] after its NCEA assessments were found to be unreliable.[7][8]

Notes

  1. ↑ Peter Dowling (editor) (2004), Reed New Zealand Atlas, Reed Books, map 44, ISBN 0-7900-0952-8
  2. ↑ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005), The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand, Robbie Burton, map 97, ISBN 1-877333-20-4
  3. ↑ Quickstats about Waverley
  4. ↑ Te Kete Ipurangi schools database: Waverley Primary School
  5. ↑ "Jubilees & reunions: Waverley Primary School and Waverley High School", Education Gazette New Zealand, 75 (22), 16 December 1996
  6. ↑ Waverley High School to close, Scoop, 3 April 2007
  7. ↑ Stowell, Laurel (15 February 2007), We're not going anywhere: Waverley parents, Wanganui Chronicle
  8. ↑ "Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers: Waverley High School—Confidence in Oversight", Hansard (New Zealand), 637: 7319, 2007

Coordinates: 39°46′S 174°38′E / 39.767°S 174.633°E / -39.767; 174.633

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