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{{Infobox New Zealand suburb |
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|name = Whenuapai |
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|image = Whenuapai Airfield From The Air.jpg |
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|caption1 = Whenuapai airbase from the air, looking eastward |
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|city1 = [[Auckland]] |
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|board = {{hlist|[[Upper Harbour Local Board]]|[[Henderson-Massey Local Board]]}} |
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|council = [[Auckland Council]] |
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|ward = {{hlist|[[Albany ward (local government)|Albany ward]]|[[Waitākere ward]]}} |
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|area = 1703 |
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|areasource = <ref name="Area"/> |
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|population = {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Whenuapai|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Whenuapai West|y}}|R}}|0}} |
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|popdate = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y}} |
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|popsource = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2||||y}} |
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|airports = [[RNZAF Base Auckland]] |
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|postcode = 0618 |
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|coordinates= {{coord|-36.7898|174.6303|region:NZ|display=inline,title}} |
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|map = {{infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|-36.7898|174.6303}}|zoom=11}} |
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}} |
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{{Adjacent place |
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| west = [[Kumeū]] |
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|northwest = [[Riverhead, New Zealand|Riverhead]] |
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| centre = Whenuapai |
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|north = [[Pāremoremo]] |
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|northeast = [[Greenhithe, New Zealand|Greenhithe]] |
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|east = [[Hobsonville]] |
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|southeast = [[West Harbour, Auckland|West Harbour]] |
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|southwest = [[Westgate, New Zealand|Westgate]] |
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|south = [[Massey, New Zealand|Massey]] |
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}} |
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{{stack end}} |
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'''Whenuapai''' is a suburb and [[aerodrome]] located in northwestern [[Auckland]], in the [[North Island]] of [[New Zealand]]. It is located on the shore of the [[Upper Waitematā Harbour]], 15 kilometres to the northwest of Auckland's city centre. It is one of the landing points for the [[Southern Cross Cable|Southern Cross telecommunications Cables]]. |
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==Etymology== |
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The name Whenuapai was coined by resident Theophilus Wake,<ref name="Cambridge">{{cite web|url=https://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/RNZAF%20Stations%20Auckland%20area.htm |title=RNZAF Auckland Region |website=Wings Over Cambridge |access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref> a [[Māori language]] name meaning "good land".<ref>{{cite report|url=https://environment.govt.nz/assets/what-government-is-doing/fast-track/Whenuapai-Green/70.09-Archaeological-Assessment_Redacted.pdf |title=98-100 and 102-102A Totara Road, Whenuapai: Archaeological Assessment |first1=Jen |last1=Low |first2=Aaron |last2=Apfel |first3=Rod |last3=Clough |date=January 2021 |publisher=Clough & Associates Ltd |access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref> When Wake settled in the area in 1911, he chose the name {{lang|mi|Waimarie}}, meaning "calm waters". As the settlement grew, Wake applied for a post office to be established for the community. The post office service required a different name, due to another location named Waimarie, and Wake chose the name Whenuapai instead.<ref name="Cambridge"/> The name Whenuapai was officially adopted on 23 March 1914,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/other/nz_gazette/1914/60/27.pdf |title=The New Zealand Gazette 2541 |date=25 June 1914 |publisher=New Zealand Gazette |access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref> and the first references to Whenuapai in newspapers can be found from May 1914.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19140530.2.3.6 |via=Papers Past |title=Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 |newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |volume=LI |issue=15622 |date=30 May 1914 |page=1}}</ref> |
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The traditional [[Te Kawerau ā Maki]] name for the area is {{lang|mi|Rarawaru}}, which is the name of the stream that flows north from Whenuapai to the [[Upper Waitematā Harbour]].<ref name="TrigRoad">{{cite report|url=https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Documents/Fast-track-consenting/Whenuapai-business-park/the-application/Appendix-9-Cultural-Impact-Assessment.pdf |title=Cultural Impact Assessment for Development at 69-71 Trig Road & 149-157 Brigham Creek Road, Whenuapai |publisher=Te Kawerau Iwi Tiaki Trust |date=September 2021|access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="LINZ">{{LINZ |id=38066 |name=Rarawaru Creek |access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref> A [[kāinga]] was located on the shores of the stream, {{lang|mi|Te Rarawaru}}, which took its name from the stream, {{lang|mi|Wai Rarawaru}}.<ref name="TeKawerau">{{Cite web| date=22 February 2014 | title = Deed of Settlement Schedule: Documents |url=https://www.govt.nz/assets/Documents/OTS/Te-Kawerau-a-Maki/Te-Kawerau-a-Maki-Deed-of-Settlement-Documents-22-Feb-2014.pdf | author1 = [[Te Kawerau ā Maki]] | author2 = The Trustees of Te Kawerau Iwi Settlement Trust | author3 = [[New Zealand Government|The Crown]] | access-date = 2 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="TrigRoad"/> |
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==History== |
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In the 19th century, northern Whenuapai was the location of Ockleston's pottery, a brickworks located on the Kotukutuku Inlet of the [[Waitematā Harbour]].<ref name="DiamondBrick">{{Cite book| editor-first=James| editor-last=Northcote-Bade |title=West Auckland Remembers, Volume 2 |year=1992 |publisher=West Auckland Historical Society |isbn=0-473-01587-0 |chapter=The Brick and Pottery Industry in the Western Districts |first1=John T. |last1=Diamond |author-link1=J. T. Diamond |pages=47}}</ref> The area was settled by pacifist Theophilus Wake in 1911. Wake was joined by other like-minded pacifists in the 1910s, and a community developed at Whenuapai.<ref name="Cambridge"/> |
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===RNZAF facilities=== |
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In 1938 under the Public Works Act, the New Zealand Government several hundred acres of land at Whenuapai, in order to create a base for [[Vickers Wellington|Wellington bomber]], prior to the onset of [[World War II]].<ref name="EvolvingAuckland9.2">{{Cite book| editor-first=John| editor-last=La Roche |editor-link=John La Roche |title=Evolving Auckland: The City's Engineering Heritage |year=2011 |publisher=Wily Publications |chapter=Auckland International Airport |first1=Mike |last1=Lancaster |pages=206–210 |isbn=9781927167038}}</ref><ref name="Cambridge"/> |
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Post World War II Auckland became a centre for [[RNZAF]] transport and maritime squadrons. From 1945 to 1965 Whenuapai was also Auckland's civil international airport. Whenuapai and [[Hobsonville]] bases were integrated in 1965 to form [[RNZAF Base Auckland]]. Hobsonville is now closed, with the RNZAF continuing to lease a few remaining facilities. |
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Today, with a personnel strength of around 1100, Base Auckland is the home for: |
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* [[No. 5 Squadron RNZAF|No. 5 Squadron]] ([[P-3 Orion|P-3K2 Orion]]) |
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* [[No. 6 Squadron RNZAF|No. 6 Squadron]] ([[SH-2 Seasprite|SH-2G(I) Seasprite]]) |
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* [[No. 40 Squadron RNZAF|No. 40 Squadron]] ([[C-130 Hercules]] and [[Boeing 757]]) |
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* RNZAF Parachute Training and Support Unit, |
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* [[RNZAF Security Forces]] Military Working Dog Training School |
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* RNZAF Aviation Medicine Unit. |
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* RNZAF Operations Squadron |
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* RNZAF Police |
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===Whenuapai Airport 1945–65=== |
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In 1945 the government made the RNZAF Station at Whenuapai available for civil airline operations on a temporary basis and with RNZAF activities to take precedence.<ref name="EvolvingAuckland9.2"/> That "temporary basis" lasted twenty years and the RNZAF had to give up their two smaller hangars and move to the north apron of their own airfield. In the 1940s Whenuapai was one of three aerodromes in the country with sealed runways, the others being [[Paraparaumu Airport|Paraparaumu]] and [[RNZAF Base Ohakea|Ohakea]]. Whenuapai was adopted as the international airport for Auckland, despite the benefits of the location of the [[Mangere Aerodrome]], due to its ongoing use by the RNZAF meaning there were no additional costs for the [[Auckland City Council]].<ref name="EvolvingAuckland9.2"/> |
In 1945 the government made the RNZAF Station at Whenuapai available for civil airline operations on a temporary basis and with RNZAF activities to take precedence.<ref name="EvolvingAuckland9.2"/> That "temporary basis" lasted twenty years and the RNZAF had to give up their two smaller hangars and move to the north apron of their own airfield. In the 1940s Whenuapai was one of three aerodromes in the country with sealed runways, the others being [[Paraparaumu Airport|Paraparaumu]] and [[RNZAF Base Ohakea|Ohakea]]. Whenuapai was adopted as the international airport for Auckland, despite the benefits of the location of the [[Mangere Aerodrome]], due to its ongoing use by the RNZAF meaning there were no additional costs for the [[Auckland City Council]].<ref name="EvolvingAuckland9.2"/> |
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For a short time, Auckland had three aerodromes—the seaplane aerodrome at [[Mechanics Bay]] where [[Tasman Empire Airways Limited]] (TEAL) operated from 1940–54; the city's domestic airport—at the then small grass airstrip at [[ |
For a short time, Auckland had three aerodromes—the seaplane aerodrome at [[Mechanics Bay]] where [[Tasman Empire Airways Limited]] (TEAL) operated from 1940–54; the city's domestic airport—at the then small grass airstrip at [[Māngere]], on the site of the present [[Auckland Airport]]; and weekly Pan American and British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines (the latter's services originally operated by Australian National Airways) services with [[Douglas DC-4|DC-4s]] from Whenuapai. Also immediately post-war; the RNZAF operated many of the civil services while [[National Airways Corporation (New Zealand)|National Airways Corporation]] (NAC) was being organised, and to add to the confusion; some of Auckland's domestic services departed from Whenuapai as well. Hills adjacent to the Whenuapai site limited the ability of new generation aircraft to use the site.<ref name="EvolvingAuckland9.2"/> |
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In 1947 the government closed |
In 1947 the government closed Māngere to all but light aircraft citing safety concerns, and NAC moved to Whenuapai. (At the same time, the government closed Wellington's [[Wellington International Airport|Rongotai Airport]], for the same reasons, and NAC had to move to Paraparaumu, 35 miles from the city.) |
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In addition to domestic services, NAC flew a [[Douglas DC-3|DC-3]] weekly to [[Norfolk Island]] from Whenuapai, and fortnightly on a route that took a week each way; Whenuapai—Norfolk Island—[[Nadi International Airport|Nadi]]—[[Faleolo International Airport|Apia]]—[[Fua'amotu International Airport|Tongatapu]]—[[Aitutaki]]—[[Rarotonga International Airport|Rarotonga]]. The Norfolk Island service continued until 1955 when Qantas, chartered to TEAL, took over the route with a DC-4; and the Pacific Service was handed over to TEAL in 1952. |
In addition to domestic services, NAC flew a [[Douglas DC-3|DC-3]] weekly to [[Norfolk Island]] from Whenuapai, and fortnightly on a route that took a week each way; Whenuapai—Norfolk Island—[[Nadi International Airport|Nadi]]—[[Faleolo International Airport|Apia]]—[[Fua'amotu International Airport|Tongatapu]]—[[Aitutaki]]—[[Rarotonga International Airport|Rarotonga]]. The Norfolk Island service continued until 1955 when Qantas, chartered to TEAL, took over the route with a DC-4; and the Pacific Service was handed over to TEAL in 1952. |
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===Reverting to Military Aerodrome and recent developments=== |
===Reverting to Military Aerodrome and recent developments=== |
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The operational tempo at Whenuapai continues at the level it has been at for the last forty years, although the closure of the adjacent Hobsonville base has seen the departure of rotary operations (primarily the UH1H Iroquois) to RNZAF Base Ohakea. With the budget for moving the base to Ohakea exceeding one billion dollars, the previously scheduled closure by the New Zealand Labour government (originally by 2007, then 2010 or, at latest, 2014) was cancelled by the incoming National government of 2008. There were suggestions that it be used as Auckland's second international Airport. Reasons put forward in favour were that more people in the Auckland region already lived closer to the aerodrome than to [[Auckland Airport| |
The operational tempo at Whenuapai continues at the level it has been at for the last forty years, although the closure of the adjacent Hobsonville base has seen the departure of rotary operations (primarily the UH1H Iroquois) to RNZAF Base Ohakea. With the budget for moving the base to Ohakea exceeding one billion dollars, the previously scheduled closure by the New Zealand Labour government (originally by 2007, then 2010 or, at latest, 2014) was cancelled by the incoming National government of 2008. There were suggestions that it be used as Auckland's second international Airport. Reasons put forward in favour were that more people in the Auckland region already lived closer to the aerodrome than to [[Auckland Airport|Māngere Airport]] and that it was projected that within 15 years Whenuapai would be closer for more than a million Aucklanders.<ref>{{cite report |publisher=Waitakere City Council|title=The Case for Whenuapai Airport|date=January 2004|url=http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/abtcit/whenuapai/pdf/submission-partone.pdf}}</ref> |
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The three local authorities that comprised the north west sector of the Auckland Region, [[Rodney District|Rodney District Council]], [[North Shore City Council]] and [[Waitakere City Council]] all favoured the second airport concept at one time or another and at least one poll, by the Waitakere City Council in late 2006, indicated 77% support and 22% opposition by the public.<ref>{{cite report |publisher=TNS|title=A Study of the views of Residents of North/West, Central and Southern Region of Greater Auckland Area in Respect of a proposal By Waitakere City and Infratil to Develop Whenupai Airport for Commercial Flights|date=September 2006}}</ref> |
The three local authorities that comprised the north west sector of the Auckland Region, [[Rodney District|Rodney District Council]], [[North Shore City Council]] and [[Waitakere City Council]] all favoured the second airport concept at one time or another and at least one poll, by the Waitakere City Council in late 2006, indicated 77% support and 22% opposition by the public.<ref>{{cite report |publisher=TNS|title=A Study of the views of Residents of North/West, Central and Southern Region of Greater Auckland Area in Respect of a proposal By Waitakere City and Infratil to Develop Whenupai Airport for Commercial Flights|date=September 2006}}</ref> |
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:† This was as scheduled operations on its own account. As QANTAS owned half of TEAL until 1961; before then its aircraft only appeared at Whenuapai if chartered by TEAL, or if its aircraft were chartered for a trip across to New Zealand, although it did occasionally appear at Whenuapai between 1956–61 with its Super Constellations at peak traffic times. |
:† This was as scheduled operations on its own account. As QANTAS owned half of TEAL until 1961; before then its aircraft only appeared at Whenuapai if chartered by TEAL, or if its aircraft were chartered for a trip across to New Zealand, although it did occasionally appear at Whenuapai between 1956–61 with its Super Constellations at peak traffic times. |
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==Demographics== |
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Whenuapai statistical area, which includes [[Herald Island, New Zealand|Herald Island]], covers {{Convert|17.03|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=16 March 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Whenuapai|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Whenuapai West|y}}|R}}|0}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|({{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Whenuapai|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Whenuapai West|y}}|R}})/17.03|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>. |
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{{Historical populations|2006|3,639|2013|3,729|2018|3,888|percentages=pagr|align=left|source= <ref name="Census 2018"/>}} |
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[[File:Whenuapai Village Hall (12096449134).jpg|thumb|Whenuapai Village Hall]] |
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Before the 2023 census, Whenuapai had a larger boundary, covering {{Convert|19.68|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area"/> Using that boundary, Whenuapai had a population of 3,888 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 159 people (4.3%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 249 people (6.8%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 1,263 households, comprising 2,016 males and 1,872 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. The median age was 34.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 678 people (17.4%) aged under 15 years, 981 (25.2%) aged 15 to 29, 1,815 (46.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 411 (10.6%) aged 65 or older. |
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Ethnicities were 80.6% European/[[Pākehā]], 12.3% [[Māori people|Māori]], 5.8% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pacific peoples]], 11.7% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 3.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. |
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The percentage of people born overseas was 24.2, compared with 27.1% nationally. |
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Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.3% had no religion, 29.8% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.2% had [[Māori religion|Māori religious beliefs]], 0.8% were [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.7% were [[Islam in New Zealand|Muslim]], 1.2% were [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]] and 1.8% had other religions. |
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Of those at least 15 years old, 789 (24.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 345 (10.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $43,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 765 people (23.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,902 (59.3%) people were employed full-time, 486 (15.1%) were part-time, and 96 (3.0%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Whenuapai (117000)|whenuapai|Whenuapai}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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;General |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | The New Zealand Scrapbook, Auckland City Library (microfiche) |
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⚫ | Auckland Municipal Airport Files, Auckland City Council Archives |
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;Specific |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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==Further reading== |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | *The New Zealand Scrapbook, Auckland City Library (microfiche) |
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⚫ | *Auckland Municipal Airport Files, Auckland City Council Archives |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.airforce.mil.nz/about-us/force-elements/units/aviation-medicine-unit.htm RNZAF Aviation Medicine Unit] |
*[http://www.airforce.mil.nz/about-us/force-elements/units/aviation-medicine-unit.htm RNZAF Aviation Medicine Unit] |
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*[http://www.wascnz.com/ Whenuapai Aviation Sports Club] |
*[http://www.wascnz.com/ Whenuapai Aviation Sports Club] |
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{{subject bar|auto=y|d=y|portal=New Zealand}} |
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{{authority control}} |
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[[Category:Suburbs of Auckland]] |
[[Category:Suburbs of Auckland]] |
Whenuapai
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![]()
Whenuapai airbase from the air, looking eastward
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Coordinates: 36°47′23″S 174°37′49″E / 36.7898°S 174.6303°E / -36.7898; 174.6303 | |
Country | New Zealand |
City | Auckland |
Local authority | Auckland Council |
Electoral ward |
|
Local board |
|
Area | |
• Land | 1,703 ha (4,208 acres) |
Population
(June 2023)[2]
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• Total | 5,370 |
Postcode(s) |
0618
|
Airports | RNZAF Base Auckland |
Riverhead | Pāremoremo | Greenhithe |
Kumeū |
![]() ![]()
|
Hobsonville |
Westgate | Massey | West Harbour |
Whenuapai is a suburb and aerodrome located in northwestern Auckland, in the North IslandofNew Zealand. It is located on the shore of the Upper Waitematā Harbour, 15 kilometres to the northwest of Auckland's city centre. It is one of the landing points for the Southern Cross telecommunications Cables.
The name Whenuapai was coined by resident Theophilus Wake,[3]aMāori language name meaning "good land".[4] When Wake settled in the area in 1911, he chose the name Waimarie, meaning "calm waters". As the settlement grew, Wake applied for a post office to be established for the community. The post office service required a different name, due to another location named Waimarie, and Wake chose the name Whenuapai instead.[3] The name Whenuapai was officially adopted on 23 March 1914,[5] and the first references to Whenuapai in newspapers can be found from May 1914.[6]
The traditional Te Kawerau ā Maki name for the area is Rarawaru, which is the name of the stream that flows north from Whenuapai to the Upper Waitematā Harbour.[7][8]Akāinga was located on the shores of the stream, Te Rarawaru, which took its name from the stream, Wai Rarawaru.[9][7]
In the 19th century, northern Whenuapai was the location of Ockleston's pottery, a brickworks located on the Kotukutuku Inlet of the Waitematā Harbour.[10] The area was settled by pacifist Theophilus Wake in 1911. Wake was joined by other like-minded pacifists in the 1910s, and a community developed at Whenuapai.[3]
In 1938 under the Public Works Act, the New Zealand Government several hundred acres of land at Whenuapai, in order to create a base for Wellington bomber, prior to the onset of World War II.[11][3]
Post World War II Auckland became a centre for RNZAF transport and maritime squadrons. From 1945 to 1965 Whenuapai was also Auckland's civil international airport. Whenuapai and Hobsonville bases were integrated in 1965 to form RNZAF Base Auckland. Hobsonville is now closed, with the RNZAF continuing to lease a few remaining facilities.
Today, with a personnel strength of around 1100, Base Auckland is the home for:
In 1945 the government made the RNZAF Station at Whenuapai available for civil airline operations on a temporary basis and with RNZAF activities to take precedence.[11] That "temporary basis" lasted twenty years and the RNZAF had to give up their two smaller hangars and move to the north apron of their own airfield. In the 1940s Whenuapai was one of three aerodromes in the country with sealed runways, the others being Paraparaumu and Ohakea. Whenuapai was adopted as the international airport for Auckland, despite the benefits of the location of the Mangere Aerodrome, due to its ongoing use by the RNZAF meaning there were no additional costs for the Auckland City Council.[11]
For a short time, Auckland had three aerodromes—the seaplane aerodrome at Mechanics Bay where Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) operated from 1940–54; the city's domestic airport—at the then small grass airstrip at Māngere, on the site of the present Auckland Airport; and weekly Pan American and British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines (the latter's services originally operated by Australian National Airways) services with DC-4s from Whenuapai. Also immediately post-war; the RNZAF operated many of the civil services while National Airways Corporation (NAC) was being organised, and to add to the confusion; some of Auckland's domestic services departed from Whenuapai as well. Hills adjacent to the Whenuapai site limited the ability of new generation aircraft to use the site.[11]
In 1947 the government closed Māngere to all but light aircraft citing safety concerns, and NAC moved to Whenuapai. (At the same time, the government closed Wellington's Rongotai Airport, for the same reasons, and NAC had to move to Paraparaumu, 35 miles from the city.)
In addition to domestic services, NAC flew a DC-3 weekly to Norfolk Island from Whenuapai, and fortnightly on a route that took a week each way; Whenuapai—Norfolk Island—Nadi—Apia—Tongatapu—Aitutaki—Rarotonga. The Norfolk Island service continued until 1955 when Qantas, chartered to TEAL, took over the route with a DC-4; and the Pacific Service was handed over to TEAL in 1952.
The next major development at Whenuapai was in May 1954, when British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines was wound up, its DC-6s given to TEAL, and that airline sold all except two of its flying boats and moved to Whenuapai. It kept one Solent in reserve and sent the other to Suva to fly the leg to Tahiti, which didn't get a landplane airport until 1960. The first part of the Coral Route was then operated by DC-6 from Whenuapai to Nadi.
Airport diagram for 1956
Despite problems with its runway Whenuapai continued as Auckland's international airport through the 1950s. In 1960 the longest runway was 6590 feet (6664 ft a few years later) which allowed BOAC Comet flights, but larger jet airliners such as the DC-8 and the B707 demanded a new international airport and work on Auckland Airport began. The first international flight from Auckland Airport was on 24 November 1965 and it officially opened on Anniversary Weekend (29–31 January), 1966 after which Whenuapai Airport reverted to purely military use as an Aerodrome.
The operational tempo at Whenuapai continues at the level it has been at for the last forty years, although the closure of the adjacent Hobsonville base has seen the departure of rotary operations (primarily the UH1H Iroquois) to RNZAF Base Ohakea. With the budget for moving the base to Ohakea exceeding one billion dollars, the previously scheduled closure by the New Zealand Labour government (originally by 2007, then 2010 or, at latest, 2014) was cancelled by the incoming National government of 2008. There were suggestions that it be used as Auckland's second international Airport. Reasons put forward in favour were that more people in the Auckland region already lived closer to the aerodrome than to Māngere Airport and that it was projected that within 15 years Whenuapai would be closer for more than a million Aucklanders.[12]
The three local authorities that comprised the north west sector of the Auckland Region, Rodney District Council, North Shore City Council and Waitakere City Council all favoured the second airport concept at one time or another and at least one poll, by the Waitakere City Council in late 2006, indicated 77% support and 22% opposition by the public.[13]
However, in the local body elections of October 2007, the pro-airport North Shore City mayor was defeated by an anti-airport mayoral candidate with indications that the airport issue was the most important of factors considered by voters.[14]
Subsequently, North Shore City Council reversed support for a Whenuapai International Airport while the Waitakere City Council remained in favour. In 2010, all councils were amalgamated into the new Auckland Council and therefore support for a commercial airport was dropped. The proposal had also been opposed by the government.[15]
Royal New Zealand Air Force (Civil Operations) | 1945–47 |
Pan American World Airways | 1946–65 |
British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines (BCPA) | 1947–53 |
New Zealand National Airways Corporation (NAC) | 1947–65 |
Canadian Pacific Airlines | 1952–65 |
Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) | 1954–65 |
Transports Aeriens Intercontinentaux (TAI) | 1957–63 |
South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand (SPANZ) | 1960–65 |
Qantas Empire Airways (QANTAS) | 1961–65† |
British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) | 1963–65 |
Whenuapai statistical area, which includes Herald Island, covers 17.03 km2 (6.58 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 5,370 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 315 people per km2.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
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2006 | 3,639 | — |
2013 | 3,729 | +0.35% |
2018 | 3,888 | +0.84% |
Source: [16] |
Before the 2023 census, Whenuapai had a larger boundary, covering 19.68 km2 (7.60 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Whenuapai had a population of 3,888 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 159 people (4.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 249 people (6.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,263 households, comprising 2,016 males and 1,872 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. The median age was 34.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 678 people (17.4%) aged under 15 years, 981 (25.2%) aged 15 to 29, 1,815 (46.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 411 (10.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 80.6% European/Pākehā, 12.3% Māori, 5.8% Pacific peoples, 11.7% Asian, and 3.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 24.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.3% had no religion, 29.8% were Christian, 0.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Hindu, 0.7% were Muslim, 1.2% were Buddhist and 1.8% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 789 (24.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 345 (10.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $43,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 765 people (23.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,902 (59.3%) people were employed full-time, 486 (15.1%) were part-time, and 96 (3.0%) were unemployed.[16]