View source for Putāruru

{{short description|Town in Waikato, New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
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|name                   = Putāruru<!-- at least one of the first two fields must be filled in -->
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|settlement_type        = Town <!--such as Town, Village, City, Borough etc.-->
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|image_skyline          = Church at Putaruru Museum.jpg
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|image_caption          = Church at the Timber Museum
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|pushpin_map_caption    =Location in New Zealand
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|subdivision_type       = Country
|subdivision_name       = New Zealand
|subdivision_type1      = Region
|subdivision_name1      = [[Waikato Region]]
|subdivision_type2      = District
|subdivision_name2      = [[South Waikato District]]
|subdivision_type3      = Ward
|subdivision_name3      = Putāruru Ward
|leader_title           = Territorial Authority
|leader_name            = [[South Waikato District Council]]
|leader_title1          = Regional council
|leader_name1           = [[Waikato Regional Council]]
|seat_type              = [[New Zealand electorates|Electorates]]
|seat                   = {{ubl|[[Taupō (New Zealand electorate)|Taupō]]|[[Te Tai Hauāuru]] ([[Māori electorates|Māori]])}}
|established_title      =  <!-- Settled -->
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|area_footnotes         = <ref name="Area"/>
|area_total_km2         = 6.81
|population_as_of       = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}
|population_footnotes   = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}}
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|population_total       = {{NZ population data 2018|Putaruru|y}}
|population_density_km2 = auto <!--For automatic calculation, any density field may contain: auto -->
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|timezone               = [[Time in New Zealand|NZST]]
|utc_offset             = +12
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|coor_pinpoint          =<!-- can be used to specify exactly where/what the coordinates refer to -->
|coordinates            = {{coord|-38.050|175.780|display=inline,title}}
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|postal_code_type       = [[Postcodes in New Zealand|Postcode(s)]]
|postal_code            = 3411
|website                =
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}}
'''Putāruru''' is a small town in the [[South Waikato District]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southwaikato.govt.nz/our-district/living-here/Pages/Putaruru.aspx|title=Putaruru – South Waikato District Council|website=www.southwaikato.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref> and the [[Waikato]] region of New Zealand's [[North Island]]. It lies on the western side of the [[Mamaku Ranges]] and in the upper basin of the [[Waihou River]]. It is on the Oraka Stream<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz151/Oraka-Stream/Waikato|title=Oraka Stream, Waikato – NZ Topo Map|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en|access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref> 65 kilometres south-east of [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]]. [[State Highway 1 (New Zealand)|State Highway 1]] and the [[Kinleith Branch]] railway run through the town.<ref name=jasons>{{cite web|url=http://www.jasons.co.nz/putaruru|title=Putaruru Travel Guide |publisher=[[Jasons Travel Media]] |access-date=30 September 2017}}</ref>
== Name ==
The town gets its name from a historic event which occurred nearby. Korekore a granddaughter of Raukawa, the founder of the [[Ngāti Raukawa]] iwi, was murdered by her husband Parahore. Her servant Ruru witnessed her murder and escaped into the forest where he hid and waited for Parahore and his men to give up their pursuit of him. The place where he exited the forest was named "Te Puta a Ruru" or "the exit of Ruru". This was eventually shorted to Putāruru.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Putaruru – Pride in Putaruru|url= http://www.putaruru.co.nz/About-Putaruru|access-date=5 June 2020 |website=www.putaruru.co.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Easther |first=Elisabeth |date=12 March 2015|title=Kia ora: Putaruru|language=en-NZ|work=The New Zealand Herald |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=11414307 |access-date=5 June 2020|issn=1170-0777}}</ref>{{sfn|Scherer|1992|p=8}}
==History and culture==
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2020}}
===Pre-colonial history===
There were several [[Māori people|Māori]] settlements in the  Putāruru district in pre-colonial times. [[Ngāti Raukawa]] is the main tribe or [[iwi]] in the area and Ngāti Mahana is the [[hapū]] (subtribe) within  Putāruru. During [[Te Rauparaha]]'s migration to the [[Cook Strait]] area in the 1820s, many Ngāti Raukawa people moved from these settlements to [[Rangitikei, New Zealand|Rangitikei]] and [[Manawatū-Whanganui|Manawatu]] localities, and others followed after the [[Invasion of Waikato#Ōrākau|Siege of Ōrākau]] in 1864. [[Te Kooti]] and his followers were pursued through the district early in 1870 by a force under Lt-Col. [[Thomas McDonnell]].
===European settlement===
The Patetere Block, containing the future town site of  Putāruru, was acquired from the [[Māori people|Māori]] in the 1860s. In the early 1880s large areas in the  Putāruru district came into the possession of the Patetere Land Company, and from 1883 much of this land passed into the hands of the [[Thames, New Zealand|Thames Valley Land Company]]. Roadmaking commenced in the late 1880s, but the [[railway]], begun by the Thames Valley and Rotorua Railway Co., was the most important factor in the progress of settlement in the area.
The first [[settler]] in the district bought his section in 1892.
In the 1880s  Putāruru consisted of little more than a [[hotel]] and a [[blacksmith]] shop.
Exotic [[afforestation]] was begun in the district some time after 1910 by a land and [[timber]] company with an outlet to the [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]]-[[Rotorua]] railway near [[Pinedale, New Zealand|Pinedale]]. [[Silviculture|Commercial tree planting]] with ''[[Pinus radiata]]'' took place between 1924 and 1928 on the Pinedale Block. Milling began in 1940–41 and by 1951 the area had been cut out and replanted. Larger areas further south were planted in 1924 for future milling and to provide the raw material for [[Wood pulp|pulp]] and [[paper mill|paper manufacture]]. The town of  Putāruru was surveyed in 1905 and on 18 December an area of 50,987 acres (206&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), which had been acquired from the Thames Valley Land Co. by the Crown and included town allotments in  Putāruru and Lichfield, was opened by ballot.
The history of the local timber industry is preserved in the [[New Zealand Timber Museum]].
Much of the land in the  Putāruru district suffered from a [[Cobalt#Biological role|cobalt deficiency]], which made [[farming]] practically impossible, but since 1935 measures have been taken to restore fertility, and [[farming]] has expanded.  Putāruru was created a [[town]] district in 1926, and on 1 July 1947 it was constituted a [[borough]].
[[File:Putaruru_Railway_Station_and_railway_yards,_1923._ATLIB_293628.png|thumb|Putāruru Railway Station and railway yards, 1923.]]
===Marae===
The  Putāruru area has two marae, affiliated with the hapū of [[Ngāti Raukawa]]:
* Mangakāretu Marae and Ngā Hau e Maha meeting house are affiliated with [[Ngāti Ahuru]]
* Whakaaratamaiti Marae and Korōria meeting house are affiliated with [[Ngāti Ahuru]] and [[Ngāti Mahana]]<ref name="tkmentry">{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url= http://www.tkm.govt.nz/ |website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=[[Te Puni Kōkiri]]}}</ref><ref name="maorimaps">{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/map |website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust}}</ref>
In October 2020, the Government committed $1,259,392 from the [[Provincial Growth Fund]] to upgrade Mangakāretu Marae, Whakaaratamaiti Marae and 6 other Ngāti Raukawa marae, creating 18 jobs.<ref name="maraepgf">{{cite web |title=Marae Announcements |url=https://www.growregions.govt.nz/assets/funding-announcements/marae-announcements.xlsx |website=growregions.govt.nz |publisher=[[Provincial Growth Fund]] |format=Excel |date=9 October 2020}}</ref>
==== Bent St. Skate Park ====
One of Putaruru’s most prominent features is it historical skate-bowl park. It was built in the 1980s, as one of the first skate parks in the country, and was recently chosen for a major refurbishment project. This community-led project is set to receive $550,000 from the South Waikato District Council in order to facilitate its upgrade. Intended upgrades include additional skating features, court area, and seating area. <ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-24|title=South Waikato town's historic skate bowl set for major upgrade|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/300313121/south-waikato-towns-historic-skate-bowl-set-for-major-upgrade|access-date=2021-06-01|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref>
==Demographics==
Putāruru covers {{Convert|6.81|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=5 November 2022|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Putaruru|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Putaruru|y}}|R}}/6.81|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.
{{Historical populations|1996|4,047|2001|3,783|2006|3,930|2013|3,945|2018|4,314|percentages=pagr|align=left|footnote=The population figures before 2006 may be for slightly different boundaries.|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/>}}
Putāraru had a population of 4,314 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 369 people (9.4%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 384 people (9.8%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 1,626 households, comprising 2,088 males and 2,229 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.94 males per female. The median age was 44.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 888 people (20.6%) aged under 15 years, 684 (15.9%) aged 15 to 29, 1,740 (40.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,005 (23.3%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 73.8% European/[[Pākehā]], 34.8% [[Māori people|Māori]], 3.3% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pacific peoples]], 4.6% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 13.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 48.5% had no religion, 36.2% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 3.6% had [[Religion of Māori people|Māori religious beliefs]], 0.7% were [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.5% were [[Islam in New Zealand|Muslim]], 0.6% were [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]] and 1.5% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 297 (8.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,041 (30.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $23,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 309 people (9.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,371 (40.0%) people were employed full-time, 450 (13.1%) were part-time, and 201 (5.9%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Putāruru (186000)|putaruru|Putāruru}}</ref>
===Rural surrounds===
Putāruru Rural statistical area, which includes [[Arapuni]], [[Waotu]] and [[Lichfield, New Zealand|Lichfield]], covers {{Convert|555.80|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area"/> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Putaruru Rural|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Putaruru Rural|y}}|R}}/555.80|1}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.
{{Historical populations|title=Historical populations for the rural surrounds|2006|2,238|2013|2,223|2018|2,373|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018 rural"/>}}
Putāruru Rural had a population of 2,373 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 150 people (6.7%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 135 people (6.0%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 840 households, comprising 1,173 males and 1,200 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female. The median age was 35.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 552 people (23.3%) aged under 15 years, 456 (19.2%) aged 15 to 29, 1,092 (46.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 273 (11.5%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 87.6% European/[[Pākehā]], 18.7% [[Māori people|Māori]], 2.1% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pacific peoples]], 2.7% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 3.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 13.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.0% had no religion, 35.4% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.6% had [[Religion of Māori people|Māori religious beliefs]], 0.4% were [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.3% were [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]] and 1.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 243 (13.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 378 (20.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $38,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 312 people (17.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 984 (54.0%) people were employed full-time, 333 (18.3%) were part-time, and 45 (2.5%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018 rural">{{NZ census 2018|Putāruru Rural (185900)|putaruru-rural|Putāruru Rural}}</ref>
==Economy==
Putāruru's economy is based on [[farming]], [[forestry]] and [[timber]] production.<ref name=jasons />
The nearby Blue Spring is the current source of about 70% of New Zealand's [[bottled water]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tewaihouwater.co.nz |title=Brand Family |publisher=Aquasplash |access-date=30 September 2017}}</ref> Much of the town's water comes from the spring, which is on the [[Waihou River]] to the north east.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southwaikato.govt.nz/our-district/sport-and-recreation/parks-and-reserves/Pages/Te-Waihou-Walkway.aspx|title=Te Waihou Walkway|website=www.southwaikato.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref>
== Railways ==
===New Zealand Railways Rotorua Branch===
{{Main|Rotorua_Branch}}
Construction of the Rotorua Branch line was started by the New Zealand Thames Valley Land Company (NZTVLC). The line reached Oxford ([[Tīrau]]) on 8 March 1886 and Putāruru and [[Lichfield, New Zealand|Lichfield]], {{Convert|8.22|km|abbr=on}} further south-east, on Monday 21 June 1886.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.railheritage.org.nz/assets/dates_and_names.pdf|title=Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations|last=Scoble|first=Juliet|date=2010|website=Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand}}</ref>
The [[New Zealand Railways Department]] (NZR) took over the line on 1 April 1886.<ref name=":2222">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Stations|url=http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Heritage_listings.pdf|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-10|website=NZR Rolling Stock Lists|language=en}}</ref>
The {{Convert|11.8|km|abbr=on}} Putāruru-[[Ngātira]] section of the line to [[Rotorua]] was built by contractor Daniel Fallon, and work was underway by April 1887.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rotorua railway works... |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18870319.2.14 |access-date=18 Aug 2024 | page=2 | work=Auckland Star |date=19 March 1887}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=30 Apr 1887|title=Untitled |work=Waikato Times | page=2 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18870430.2.9 | access-date=18 Aug 2024}}</ref>
The branch opened on 8 December 1894.<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 Dec 1894|title=AUCKLAND-ROTORUA RAILWAY. NEW ZEALAND TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18941208.2.20|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-24|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> Putāruru was then served by the [[Rotorua Express]].
===Taupo Totara Timber Company Railway===
{{Main|Taupo Totara Timber Railway}}
In the early 1900s the Taupo Totara Timber Company (TTT) acquired bush blocks north and north-west of [[Lake Taupō]] and erected a sawmill at Mokai. The company built a {{convert|51|mi|km}} railway between [[Mokai]] and Putāruru, where it connected with the NZ Government Railway. The [[Taupo_Totara_Timber_Railway|TTT railway]] opened in 1905<ref name="WAIGUS19051110">{{cite news |title=The Taupo Totara Timber Company |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIGUS19051110.2.7 |access-date=25 Jun 2024 |work=Waikato Argus |date=10 Nov 1905|page=2 }}</ref> as a private carrier, carrying TTT staff and their families, guests,<ref name="NZG19050826">{{cite news |title=A Big Private Enterprise: Line Built by the Taupo Totara Timber Company to Connect Their Mill with the Government Railway |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/new-zealand-graphic/1905/08/26/23 |access-date=5 June 2024 |work=New Zealand Graphic |date=26 August 1905 |pages=23, 36, 37}}</ref>
<ref name="NZG19050902-24">{{cite news |title=Visit to Taupo Totara Timber Co's Mill at Mokai |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/new-zealand-graphic/1905/09/02/24 |access-date=5 June 2024 |work=New Zealand Graphic |date=2 September 1905 |pages=24-29}}</ref>
<ref name="WAIGUS19050911-2">{{cite news |title=Taupo Totara Timber Company: An Important Industry |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIGUS19050911.2.10 |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=Waikato Argus |date=11 September 1905 |page=2}}</ref><ref name="WAIGUS19050912-4">{{cite news |title=Taupo Totara Timber Company: An Important Industry (concluded)|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIGUS19050912.2.19 |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=Waikato Argus |date=12 September 1905 |page=4}}</ref> freight, and mail<ref name="TTT-minutes-1907-283">{{cite book |title=The Taupo Totara Timber Company Limited minutes 1901 - 1907 |date=1907 |publisher=The Taupo Totara Timber Company Limited |location=Wellington, NZ |pages=283, 284}}</ref><ref name=mail-contract>{{cite book |title=AJHR, 1907 Section F-3: Inland Mail-Services, 1907-1908 |date=1907 |publisher=Government Printer |location=Wellington, NZ | page=3|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/AJHR1907-I.2.3.3.3}}</ref> between Putāruru and Mokai.
From January 29, 1908, the TTT Railway opened its freight and passenger<ref name="NZH19080529-7">{{cite news |title=Putāruru to Mokai: A New Route to Taupo: Auckland Highlands: Timber Milling Enterprise No. I |work=NZ Herald |date=29 May 1908 |page=7 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19080529.2.87 |access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref> services to the public.
===New Zealand Railways Kinleith Branch===
{{Main|Kinleith_Branch}}
The NZ Government purchased a {{convert|19|mi|km}} section of the TTT Railway,{{sfn|Scherer|1992|p=74}} from Putāruru to the "19-Mile Peg", near the present-day location of the [[Kinleith_Mill|Kinleith Paper Mill]] south of [[Tokoroa]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Government Buys Railway |date=18 Oct 1946 |work=Waikato Independent |page=2 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIKIN19461018.2.5|access-date=18 Aug 2024 }}</ref> From Tuesday, 10 June 1947, the NZ Government took over the operation of this part of the TTT line.<ref name="PUP19470612">{{cite news |title=T.T.T. Line: Government Takes Portion: To Serve Hydro Projects |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PUP19470612.2.28 |access-date=20 Aug 2024 |work=Putaruru Press |date=12 Jun 1947|page= }}</ref>
This section of railway  was reconstructed under a NZ Government scheme for development of the Waikato River basin and surrounding areas.<ref>{{cite book |title=New Zealand Gazette, Monday, July 1, 1946 |date=1946 |publisher=Government Printer |location=Wellington, NZ |pages=935, 936 |url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/other/nz_gazette/1946/47.pdf |access-date=26 Aug 2024}}</ref><ref name="PP19490120-8">{{cite news |title=T.T.T. Line |work=Putaruru Press |date=20 January 1949 |page=8 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PUP19490120.2.52 |access-date=8 June 2024}}</ref> The project was completed on 6 October 1952.
===Putāruru Railway Station===
Putāruru railway station was near the junction of Arapuni and Princes Streets,<ref>{{Cite web|title=42 Princes St|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-38.0528039,175.7801356,3a,30y,103.2h,94.77t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1shOo9iJNoysC_vzdaLPIkoQ!2e0!5s20100201T000000!7i13312!8i6656|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Google Maps|language=en}}</ref> {{Convert|0.61|km|abbr=on}} north of the junction of the [[Kinleith Branch]] with the former [[Rotorua Branch]].
In August 1886 the station had a {{Convert|14|ft|abbr=on}} by {{Convert|8|ft|abbr=on}} shelter shed, three cottages, a {{Convert|30|ft|abbr=on}} by {{Convert|40|ft|abbr=on}} goods shed and an incomplete station master's house.<ref name=":1" />
Putāruru was still a [[flag station]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 Jun 1886|title=WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18860617.2.23.4|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-24|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> in 1890, when the daily train took about 3 hours to cover the {{Convert|88.03|km|||abbr=on}} between Putāruru and [[Hamilton railway station (New Zealand)|Frankton]] (Hamilton).<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 Jun 1890|title=TE AROHA NEWS|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TAN18900621.2.2.7|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-23|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref>
About the time of the Rotorua Branch's completion, the station was rebuilt and extended to about {{Convert|64|ft|abbr=on}} long.<ref name=":1" /> It had a [[Railway refreshment room#New Zealand|refreshment room]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19250225.2.36|title=Fire on Railway Station|date=25 February 1925|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=14 May 2018|pages=8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1926-I.1.1890|title=Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives — 1926 Session I — D-02 Page XLI Railways Statement by The Minister of Railways, The Right Hon. J. G. Coates.|website=atojs.natlib.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=14 May 2018}}</ref> and a bookstall<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19290419.2.134|title=Railway Bookstalls.|date=19 April 1929|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=14 May 2018|pages=14}}</ref> and, from 1907, the railway yard had a {{Convert|50|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=":22222">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Stations|url=http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Heritage_listings.pdf|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-10|website=NZR Rolling Stock Lists|language=en}}</ref> turntable<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1934-I.2.2.3.2|title=Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives — 1934 Session I — D-02 GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS BOARD (REPORT BY THE).|website=atojs.natlib.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=14 May 2018}}</ref> and handled much livestock,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19361112.2.12|title=Putaruru Items.|date=12 November 1936|work=Auckland Star|access-date=14 May 2018|pages=3}}</ref> as well as timber. The refreshment room, run by the hotel until 1919, burnt down in 1925 and was replaced by a room to the south of the main building, which closed in 1968.<ref name=":1" />
Putāruru railway station closed to passengers on 12 November 1968 and freight on 10 December 2002,<ref name=":0" /> though it was served by the [[Geyserland Express]] from 1991 to 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|title=bettertransport.org.nz • View topic – Inter-regional Rail service distances and times|url=http://www.bettertransport.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1519&start=40|website=www.bettertransport.org.nz|access-date=22 May 2020}}</ref> The station was demolished during March and April 2013.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=July 2015|title=Archaeological Monitoring of the Putaruru Junction Railway Station|url=https://dl.heritage.org.nz/greenstone3/library?a=p&sa=verify&c=pdf-reports&url=%2Fgreenstone3%2Flibrary%2Fsites%2Fheritage-nz%2Fcollect%2Fpdf-reports%2Findex%2Fassoc%2FSimmons7%2F1.dir%2FSimmons71.pdf|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-24|website=dl.heritage.org.nz}}</ref> Only a signals equipment shelter<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=42 Princes St|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-38.0527364,175.7800699,3a,15y,76.22h,89.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sE_Re8f-ioG5dO4iT2gAHKg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Google Maps|language=en}}</ref> and a [[passing loop]] now remain on the station site.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Main St|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-38.0511445,175.7794952,3a,15y,148.42h,89.99t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjPe8h842rMHuhwTMH0MKkg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Google Maps|language=en}}</ref>
{{s-start|noclear=yes}}
{{s-note|text=Former adjoining stations}}
{{Rail line|previous=Terminus at Putāruru|next=Pinedale<br /><small>Line closed, station closed<br>{{convert|3.95|km|abbr=on}}<br></small>|route=[[Rotorua Branch]]|col={{BR(E) colour}}}}
{{Rail line|previous=Taumangi<br /><small>Line open, station closed<br>{{convert|3.7|km|abbr=on}}</small>|next=[[Lichfield, New Zealand|Lichfield]]<br /><small>Line open, station closed<br>{{convert|7.83|km|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Yonge|first1=John Roger|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OsnRPgAACAAJ|title=New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas|last2=Company|first2=Quail Map|date=1993|publisher=Quail Map Company|isbn=9780900609923|language=en}}</ref></small>|route=[[Kinleith Branch]]|col={{BR(E) colour}}}}
{{s-end}}
=== Taumangi railway station ===
Taumangi (or Taumanga) was a [[flag station]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 Jun 1890|title=TE AROHA NEWS|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TAN18900621.2.2.7|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-24|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> {{Convert|3.7|km|abbr=on}} north of Putāruru and {{Convert|5.79|km|abbr=on}} south of [[Tīrau#Railway station|Tīrau]]. It was just south of Taumangi Road.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1947|title=1:63360 map Sheet: N75 Arapuni|url=http://www.mapspast.org.nz/?zoom=13&x=1843200&y=5787631&layerid=NZMS1%201959|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-24|website=www.mapspast.org.nz}}</ref> In 1923 Taumangi Road was diverted north,<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 Aug 1944|title=Survey Number: SN255 Run Number: 704 Photo Number: 25|url=https://files.interpret.co.nz/Retrolens/Imagery/SN255/Crown_255_704_25/High.jpg|url-status=|website=Retrolens}}</ref> when a bridge replaced the former level crossing.<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 Jan 1923|title=DISTRICT NEWS. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19230127.2.57|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-24|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref>
Taumangi opened on the same day as Putāruru, 8 March 1886.<ref name=":0" /> By August 1886 there was a {{Convert|14|ft|abbr=on}} by {{Convert|8|ft|abbr=on}} shelter shed and two cottages and by 1896 there was also a platform and cart approach. In 1925 it was noted that inwards traffic was of timber, shingle, gravel, coal, 13 loads of manure, a wagon of lime, hardware and small goods. The public siding closed on 8 September 1941, as it was in a poor condition, but the station remained open for passengers until 22 November 1948, and for parcels, and roadside traffic until 30 July 1951.<ref name=":222">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Stations|url=http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Heritage_listings.pdf|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-10|website=NZR Rolling Stock Lists|language=en}}</ref> There is now only a single line through the station site.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Taumangi Rd|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-38.0220567,175.7637324,3a,15y,164.47h,88.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4NwGVxkvGG2gf1EdMXg-Nw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Google Maps|language=en}}</ref>
==Climate==
{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y
|location = Putāruru (1951–1980)
| Jan high C  = 22.9
| Feb high C  = 23.6
| Mar high C  = 21.8
| Apr high C  = 18.8
| May high C  = 15.4
| Jun high C  = 12.9
| Jul high C  = 12.4
| Aug high C  = 13.6
| Sep high C  = 15.1
| Oct high C  = 16.9
| Nov high C  = 18.8
| Dec high C  = 21.0
| year high C =
| Jan mean C  = 17.2
| Feb mean C  = 17.8
| Mar mean C  = 16.3
| Apr mean C  = 13.4
| May mean C  = 10.6
| Jun mean C  = 8.3
| Jul mean C  = 7.6
| Aug mean C  = 8.7
| Sep mean C  = 10.3
| Oct mean C  = 12.1
| Nov mean C  = 13.7
| Dec mean C  = 15.9
| year mean C =
| Jan low C  = 11.5
| Feb low C  = 11.9
| Mar low C  = 10.7
| Apr low C  = 7.9
| May low C  = 5.7
| Jun low C  = 3.6
| Jul low C  = 2.7
| Aug low C  = 3.8
| Sep low C  = 5.5
| Oct low C  = 7.2
| Nov low C  = 8.6
| Dec low C  = 10.7
| year low C =
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 82
|Feb rain mm = 95
|Mar rain mm = 90
|Apr rain mm = 106
|May rain mm = 126
|Jun rain mm = 137
|Jul rain mm = 141
|Aug rain mm = 128
|Sep rain mm = 116
|Oct rain mm = 112
|Nov rain mm = 118
|Dec rain mm = 115
|year rain mm =
|source 1 = NIWA<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://data.niwa.co.nz/
|title = NIWA Datahub (Agent number: 2200)
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 20 Nov 2024}}</ref>
}}
==Education==
Putāruru Primary School is a state primary school on the main street, established in 1901,<ref name="official1658">{{cite web |title=Putaruru Primary School Official School Website |url=http://www.putaruru.school.nz |website=putaruru.school.nz}}</ref><ref name="moe1658">{{cite web |title=Putaruru Primary School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?district=28&region=5&school=1658 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1658|y}}.<ref name="ero1658">{{cite web |title=Putaruru Primary School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1658 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref>
Putāruru College is a state secondary school at the northern entrance of the town, by the Oraka River,<ref name="moe494">{{cite web |title=Putaruru College Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?district=28&region=5&school=494 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|494|y}}.<ref name="ero494">{{cite web |title=Putaruru College Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=494 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref>
Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere is a Māori medium composite school,<ref name="moe567">{{cite web |title=Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?district=28&region=5&school=567 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|567|y}}.<ref name="ero567">{{cite web |title=Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=567 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref>
St Mary's Catholic School is a state-integrated primary school,<ref name="moe1957">{{cite web |title=St Mary's Catholic School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?district=28&region=5&school=1957 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1957|y}}.<ref name="ero1957">{{cite web |title=St Mary's Catholic School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1957 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref>
All these schools are co-educational. Rolls are as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}
==Notable people==
<!-- alphabetical order, please -->
* [[Grant Fox]]  (born 1962), former All Black
*[[Honey Hireme]] (born 1981), former New Zealand rugby player
* [[Glen Mitchell (New Zealand cyclist)|Glen Mitchell]] (born 1972), Olympic cyclist<ref>{{Cite sports-reference |title =Glen Mitchell |url = https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mi/glen-mitchell-2.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200418031342/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mi/glen-mitchell-2.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 18 April 2020 |access-date=7 May 2017}}</ref>
* [[Lorraine Moller]] (born 1955), Olympic athlete
* [[Gareth Morgan (economist)|Gareth Morgan]] (born 1953), economist, philanthropist
* [[Jenny Shattock|Jennifer Robyn (Jenny) Shattock]], former [[Mayor of South Waikato|South Waikato]] mayor<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Matthew |date=2022-12-30 |title=This one's for the South Waikato - former mayor Jenny Shattock makes New Year's Honours list |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300768898/this-ones-for-the-south-waikato--former-mayor-jenny-shattock-makes-new-years-honours-list |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Wayne Smith (rugby union)|Wayne Smith]] (born 1957), former All Black and former All Black coach
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1=Scherer |first1=Vicki |title=Putaruru: Home of the Owl |date=1992 |publisher=South Waikato District Council |location=Tokoroa, NZ}}
{{refend}}
== External links ==
* [https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/202589 1914] and [https://www.flickr.com/photos/petrajane/6108062733/ 2011] photos of railway station
*[http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov07_05Rail-t1-body-d15-d6.html#Gov07_05Rail-fig-Gov07_05Rail043a 1932 photo of brick water tank at the railway station]
* [http://www.nztimbermuseum.co.nz/ New Zealand Timber Museum]
{{South Waikato District}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Putaruru}}
[[Category:Populated places in Waikato]]
[[Category:South Waikato District]]