Tuamarina (often spelled Tua Marina) is a small town in Marlborough, New Zealand. State Highway 1 runs through the area. The Tuamarina River joins the Wairau River just south of the settlement. Picton is about 18 km to the north, and Blenheim is about 10 km to the south.[3][4]

Tuamarina
Pioneers' Memorial in Tuamarina
Pioneers' Memorial in Tuamarina
Map
Coordinates: 41°25′49″S 173°57′44″E / 41.43028°S 173.96222°E / -41.43028; 173.96222
CountryNew Zealand
RegionMarlborough
Ward
  • Wairau-Awatere General Ward
  • Marlborough Māori Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityMarlborough District Council
 • Marlborough District MayorNadine Taylor
 • Kaikōura MPStuart Smith
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total9.68 km2 (3.74 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total230
 • Density24/km2 (62/sq mi)
Postcode(s)
7273

The name is a corruption of the Māori word Tuamarino, which means 'the calm beyond'. Dairy farming is the major economic activity, and the Koromiko cheese factory won a number of awards[5] before it was destroyed by fire in 2004.

The Wairau Affray occurred in the area in 1843, resulting in 26 deaths.[6]

The Wairau Plain is prone to flooding, and river conservation is necessary to keep the river under control. Significant floods have occurred in the Tuamarina area, such as one in December 1939.[7]

Demographics edit

Tuamarina is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 9.68 km2 (3.74 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 230 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 24 people per km2. It is part of the larger Tuamarina statistical area.

Historical population for Tuamarina settlement
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006267—    
2013222−2.60%
2018237+1.32%
Source: [8]

Tuamarina had a population of 237 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 15 people (6.8%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 30 people (−11.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 87 households, comprising 117 males and 120 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.97 males per female. The median age was 45.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 48 people (20.3%) aged under 15 years, 30 (12.7%) aged 15 to 29, 123 (51.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 39 (16.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 94.9% European/Pākehā, 12.7% Māori, 2.5% Asian, and 2.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 63.3% had no religion, 27.8% were Christian and 1.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 30 (15.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 33 (17.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $41,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. 30 people (15.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 120 (63.5%) people were employed full-time, and 24 (12.7%) were part-time.[8]

Tuamarina statistical area edit

Tuamarina statistical area surrounds the settlement and also includes Rārangi. It covers 167.84 km2 (64.80 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 1,370 as of June 2023,[9] with a population density of 8.2 people per km2.

Historical population for Tuamarina statistical area
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,092—    
20131,185+1.17%
20181,263+1.28%
Source: [10]
 
Tuamarina Cemetery Skoda Cannon

Tuamarina had a population of 1,263 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 78 people (6.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 171 people (15.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 477 households, comprising 633 males and 633 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 46.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 249 people (19.7%) aged under 15 years, 162 (12.8%) aged 15 to 29, 648 (51.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 207 (16.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 92.6% European/Pākehā, 13.1% Māori, 1.9% Pasifika, 1.2% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 17.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 63.4% had no religion, 25.7% were Christian, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.7% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 186 (18.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 174 (17.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 192 people (18.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 576 (56.8%) people were employed full-time, 150 (14.8%) were part-time, and 21 (2.1%) were unemployed.[10]

Education edit

Tua Marina School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a decile rating of 7 and a roll of 93 as of February 2024.[11][12] The school celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1971.[13]

Notable people edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  3. ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 61. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
  4. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 139. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  5. ^ "Tuamarina". Marlborough Online.
  6. ^ "Wairau Affray". Encyclopedia of New Zealand (1966).
  7. ^ McIntosh, Alister; Redman, William Edward; Allen, William Raymond, eds. (1940). Marlborough: A Provincial History. Blenheim: Marlborough Provincial Historical Committee. pp. 367f.
  8. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7023301.
  9. ^ "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Tuamarina (306900). 2018 Census place summary: Tuamarina
  11. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  12. ^ Education Counts: Tua Marina School
  13. ^ Smith, F.W. (1971). The Tua Marina School 100th anniversary 1871–1971 : with which is incorporated the history of the Waikakaho Schools 1887–1933. Tua Marina Waikakaho School Centennial Committee.
  14. ^ "Duggan, Eileen May 1894 – 1972". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.