Bream Bay
Bream Bay
Coordinates: 35°49′53″S 174°27′57″E / 35.83139°S 174.46583°E / -35.83139; 174.46583
Country	New Zealand
Region	Northland Region
District	Whangarei District
Population (2006)
- Total	4,407

Bream Bay is a locality and bay on the east coast of New Zealand. Not only being the name of the bay itself, but is also used as a collaboration of the three major towns, Ruakaka, One Tree Point and Waipu. Spreading from the mouth of Whangarei Harbour (Bream Head), 22 kilometers south, to the southern most point of Waipu Cove (Bream Tail). The area also inhabits 3 native reserve islands, located just off the coast of Bream Bay, The Hen & Chicken Islands and Sail Rock Island.

Contents 1 Geography 1.1 Naming 2 Districts 2.1 Ruakaka 2.2 One Tree Point 2.3 Waipu 2.4 The Islands 3 Climate 4 Education 5 Attractions and landmarks 6 References

[edit] Geography

[edit] Naming

Bream Bay was named by Captain James Cook after noticing that the bays waters populated a vast amount of the Bream Snapper. He also named, in the same taste, Bream Head and Bream Tail which are the areas at the very top and bottom of the bay itself.

[edit] Districts

[edit] Ruakaka

Ruakaka area is made up of Ruakaka Beach, Ruakaka Township and Marsden Point. Ruakaka has seen development due to its proximity to the expansion of the country's only oil refinery at Marsden Point during the 1980s. A recently established timber processing plant at Marsden Point has further stimulated growth. The population of the Marsden Point-Ruakaka statistical area was 2,916 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 258 from 2001. This figure includes the town of One Tree Point, and the off-spring area of Takahiwai. Ruakaka is a combination of the two words "Rua" and "Kaka". Rua is a Maori word for two and Kaka is a native parrot (Nestor meridionalis). Access can be granted directley from State Highway 1.

[edit] One Tree Point

One Tree Point, once considered part of Ruakaka, has peeled away from the Ruakaka township as it begins to grow. Along with its off-spring area of Takahiwai, they are positioned along Whangarei Harbour. One Tree Point is a fast growing community catering to the lifestyle blocks of the northern Bream Bay area. One Tree Point is made up of One Tree Point, Marsden Cove, Takahiwai and the Eastern blocks of Marsden Point. Access is gained through Port Marsden Motorway via Ruakaka or by marine access.

[edit] Waipu

Waipu is the south-most and largest township community in the Tri-Bream Bay area. The population was 1,491 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 222 from 2001. Waipu features a variety of attractions ranging from surf beaches, caves, waterfalls to memorable dining. Waipu is fast gaining international immigrants and is seen to be Bream Bay's only chance at a kept rural community, with the socio/economic growth been delivered by Ruakaka/One Tree Point. Access is gained from State Highway 1 or through back roads via Mangatoroto via Welsford.

[edit] The Islands

The Hen & Chicken Islands and Sailrock Island are the nature reserve islands located just off the coast of Bream Bay. There is no human population on any of the 3 Islands.

[edit] Climate

The region's geographical location results in warm humid summers and mild winters. Typical summer temperatures range from 22 °C to 26 °C (72 °F to 79 °F). Ground frosts are virtually unknown. The hottest months are January and February. Typical annual rainfall for the region is 1500 – 2000 mm. Winds year-round are predominantly from the southwest.

[edit] Education

• Bream Bay College is a secondary (years 7-15) school with a roll of 457.^[1]

• Ruakaka School is a contributing primary (years 1-6) school. It has a roll of 127.^[2]

• One Tree Point is a contributing primary (years 1-6) school. It has a roll of 181 and a decile rating of 4.

• Waipu Primary is a contributing primary school.

• Both schools are coeducational and have a decile rating of 4.

• Ruakaka School opened in 1898 in North Ruakaka. Until 1916 it was a half-time school sharing a teacher with Mata School. The school moved to its present site in 1912. Bream Bay College started in 1972 as a Forms 3-7 (years 9-13) school on the site of Waipu District High School. It moved to Ruakaka in February 1974 and expanded to include Forms 1 and 2 (years 7-8).^[3][4]

[edit] Attractions and landmarks

The following is a list of tourist attractions and landmarks in the Bream Bay Area.

• Ruakaka Race Course
• New Zealand Oil Refinery Visitors Centre
• Waipu Golf Course
• Waipu Pizza Barn
• The Shearing Shed
• Ruakaka Kitesports
• Marsden Cove

[edit] References