Whakatane
Whakatane (pronounced Fahk-ah-tah-nay) is a small town near the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located in the Bay of Plenty, 90km east of Tauranga, 98km noth-east of Rotorua and close to the mouth of the Whakatane River. Whakatane is the gateway to White Island, New Zealand's most active marine volcano. Whakatane is part of, and the seat of, the Whakatane District Council.
The towns main industries are diverse: forestry, dairy farming, fishing, tourism and manufacturing are all well established. The town itself has a population of 18,000, with another 15,000 people living within the greater Whaktane district. Of the 33,000 people in the district, around 40% identify as being part Maori.
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History
The site of the town has long been populated. Maori pa sites in the area date back to the first Polynesian settlements, estimated to have been around 1200 CE. Maori tradition suggests that they may be even earlier, and was the first settlement in New Zealand. According to some legends, travellers from this settlement back to the Pacific Islands triggered the great migration fleet of waka (canoes) to New Zealand.
The region around Whakatane was important during the Maori Wars of the mid 19th century. Its role culminated in 1869 with raids by Te Kooti's forces.
Flooding in 2004
Heavy rain struck the Bay of Plenty and Whakatane inparticular on 16–18 July 2004 causing severe flooding and resulting in a state of civil emergency being declared. Many homes and properties were flooded, forcing thousands of Whakatane residents to evacuate. The Rangataiki River burst its banks flooding large areas of farmland, and numerous roads were closed by floods and slips. A total of 245.8mm of rain fell in Whakatane alone in the 48 hour period and many small earthquakes were also felt during this time.
1987 Edgecumbe Earthquake
Whakatane was among the towns worst hit by the 1987 Edgecumbe Earthquake.