View source for Thames, New Zealand

{{Short description|Town in Waikato Region, New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Thames
| official_name            =
| other_name               =
| native_name              = <small>Pārāwai ([[Māori language|Māori]])</small>
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = [[New Zealand]]
| subdivision_type1        = Region
| subdivision_name1        = [[Waikato Region]]
| subdivision_type2        = District
| subdivision_name2        = [[Thames-Coromandel District]]
| subdivision_type3        = Ward
| subdivision_name3        = Thames ward
| subdivision_type4        = Community Board
| subdivision_name4        = Thames Community
| leader_title             = Council
| leader_name              = [[Thames-Coromandel District Council]]
| seat_type                = Electorates
| seat                     = {{ubl|[[Coromandel (New Zealand electorate)|Coromandel]]|[[Hauraki-Waikato]]}}
| image_map                = {{infobox mapframe|zoom=9}}
| coordinates              = {{coord|37|8|18.2|S|175|32|25.8|E|type:city_region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="Area"/>
| area_total_km2           = 16.99
| population_total         = {{NZ population data 2018|Thames|y}}
| population_as_of         = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}
| population_footnotes     = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}}
| population_density_km2   = auto
| postal_code_type         = [[Postcodes in New Zealand|Postcode(s)]]
| postal_code              = 3500, 3540
}}
'''Thames''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-uk-Thames.ogg|t|ɛ|m|z}}) ({{langx|mi|Pārāwai}}) is a town at the southwestern end of the [[Coromandel Peninsula]] in [[New Zealand]]'s [[North Island]]. It is located on the [[Firth of Thames]] close to the mouth of the [[Waihou River]]. The town is the seat of the [[Thames-Coromandel (district), New Zealand|Thames-Coromandel District Council]]. The [[Māori people|Māori]] [[iwi]] are [[Ngāti Maru (Hauraki)|Ngāti Maru]], who are descendants of Marutuahu's son Te Ngako. Ngāti Maru is part of the Ngati Marutuahu confederation of tribes or better known as Hauraki Iwi.
Thames had an estimated population of 15,000 in 1870, but this declined to 4,500 in 1881, and it has increased modestly since. It is still the biggest town on the Coromandel Peninsula. Until 2016, a historical [[Oak|oak tree]] that was planted by Governor [[George Grey]] stood on the corner of Grey and Rolleston streets.<ref name="HistoricTree">{{cite web|title=High winds cause havoc in Thames |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/86498301/high-winds-cause-havoc-in-thames|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|author=KELSEY WILKIE|date=November 2016}}</ref>
==Demographics==
Thames covers {{Convert|16.99|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=12 March 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Thames|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Thames|y}}|R}}/16.99|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.
{{Historical populations|2006|6,930|2013|6,951|2018|7,293|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/>}}
Before the 2023 census, Thames had a smaller boundary, covering {{Convert|15.55|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area"/> Using that boundary, Thames had a population of 7,293 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 342 people (4.9%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 363 people (5.2%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 3,045 households, comprising 3,420 males and 3,870 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.88 males per female, with 1,149 people (15.8%) aged under 15 years, 930 (12.8%) aged 15 to 29, 2,886 (39.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 2,337 (32.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 82.2% European/[[Pākehā]], 22.1% [[Māori people|Māori]], 2.7% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pacific peoples]], 6.3% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 16.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 47.9% had no religion, 38.1% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.2% had [[Religion of Māori people|Māori religious beliefs]], 1.0% were [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.2% were [[Islam in New Zealand|Muslim]], 1.5% were [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]] and 2.4% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 825 (13.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,644 (26.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 555 people (9.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,175 (35.4%) people were employed full-time, 873 (14.2%) were part-time, and 180 (2.9%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Thames North (167600), Thames Central (167700), Thames South (167800) and Totora-Kopu (168000)}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Individual statistical areas in 2018
|-
!Name !! Area<br/>(km<sup>2</sup>) !! Population !! Density<br/>(per km<sup>2</sup>) || Households !! Median age !! Median<br/>income
|-
| Thames North || style="text-align:right;"|2.62 || style="text-align:right;"|1,995 || style="text-align:right;"|761 || style="text-align:right;"|930 || 58.2 years || $23,800<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|thames-north|Thames North}}</ref>
|-
| Thames Central || style="text-align:right;"|1.27 || style="text-align:right;"|1,044 || style="text-align:right;"|822 || style="text-align:right;"|471 || 55.3 years || $21,900<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|thames-central|Thames Central}}</ref>
|-
| Thames South || style="text-align:right;"|3.28 || style="text-align:right;"|3,387 || style="text-align:right;"|1,033 || style="text-align:right;"|1,311 || 48.3 years || $23,900<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|thames-south|Thames South}}</ref>
|-
| [[Kopu, New Zealand|Totora-Kopu]] || style="text-align:right;"|8.39 || style="text-align:right;"|867 || style="text-align:right;"|136 || style="text-align:right;"|333 || 48.2 years || $29,300<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|totora-kopu|Totora-Kopu}}</ref>
|-
! New Zealand !! !! !! !! !! 37.4 years !! style="text-align:left;"| $31,800
|}
==History and culture==
[[Image:Poumatua2.jpg|thumb|right|Poupou (wall post) from Hotunui]]
=== Māori history ===
In the early 19th century the area was populated by [[Ngāti Maru (Hauraki)|Ngāti Maru]] and other members of the [[Marutūāhu]] collective. Ngāti Maru built a large fortified [[pā]] between the [[Kauaeranga River]] and [[Waihou River]], known as Te Tōtara.<ref name="Ballara">{{cite book |title=Taua: 'musket wars', 'land wars' or tikanga?: warfare in Maori society in the early nineteenth century  |last1=Ballara |first1=Angela |author-link1=Angela Ballara |year=2003 |publisher=Penguin |location=Auckland |ISBN=9780143018896 |chapter=Tāmaki-makau-rau (Auckland isthmus) |pages=220}}</ref> In December 1821, this pā was attacked by a [[Te Tai Tokerau Māori]] [[taua]] (war party) during the [[Musket Wars]]. After a frontal assault was unsuccessful, the taua took the pā by stealth.<ref name="Ballara"/>
=== European settlement ===
Thames was formed from two historic towns, Grahamstown and Shortland, of which many original buildings still stand. Shortland was to the south of Thames and was founded on 27 July 1867 when [[James Mackay (New Zealand politician, born 1831)|James Mackay]], civil commissioner for the [[Hauraki District]], concluded an agreement with local Māori. The land was rented for mining purposes for the sum of £5,000 per year, a colossal sum in the mid 19th century. This agreement secured the rights to local mineral deposits leading to the proclamation of the Thames Goldfield on 1 August. The leasing of the land for such a huge income was a source of great envy by other Maori iwi and hapu.<ref>{{cite book |title=Kennedy's Colonial Travel |last1=Kennedy |first1=David |year= 1876 |publisher=Cambridge University Press Digital Republished 2011 |location=Cambridge, Mass. |isbn=978-1-108-03991-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CN92Nniezg8C&q=Grahamstown+and+Shortland&pg=PA236 }}</ref>
Grahamstown was founded the following year at the northern end of present Thames, approximately one mile from Shortland. The two towns merged in 1874 after it emerged the heart of the Goldfield was in Grahamstown. Shortland waned in importance until the turn of the century when the [[Hauraki Plains]] were developed for farming and the Shortland railway station was opened.
=== Gold rush ===
The town was initially built during a [[gold rush]], with the first major discovery of gold being made on 10 August 1867 by William Hunt, in the Kuranui Stream at the north end of Thames.<ref name="thamesinfo">{{cite web|url=http://www.thamesinfo.co.nz/AboutOurHeritage|title=Our Heritage|access-date=10 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208080531/http://www.thamesinfo.co.nz/AboutOurHeritage|archive-date=8 February 2013}}</ref> The subsequent mine produced more than 102,353oz bullion and was known as the Shotover. The era from 1868 to 1871 were the bonanza years for the town with gold production topping one million pounds sterling at its peak. Official figures for production of the Thames Mines recorded a yield of 2,327,619oz bullion with the value at $845 million. The three richest fields were the Manukau / Golden Crown / Caledonian mines but many others yielded near equivalent amounts. Thames had an estimated population of 15,000 in 1870<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DSC18700312.2.12|work=[[Daily Southern Cross]]|title=Untitled|date=12 March 1870|page=3|quote=Thus, the total goldfield population, exclusive of Coromandel, Kennedy's Bay, Ohinemuri, and the various sawing stations, appears to be 12,496; but we think that at least 15,000 may be set down as the gross total.}}</ref> which would make it one of the largest cities in New Zealand at the time, but the population had declined to 11,950 (not including Māori) in the 1871 census.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1871-census/1871-results-census.html#idchapter_1_7841|title=Results of a Census of New Zealand|date=February 1871|at=Chapter 6}}</ref> The Māori population was 1,428 in 1859.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/fenton-observations-aboriginal-inhabitants-nz/fenton-observations-aboriginal-inhabitants-nz.html?_ga=2.121676811.1641771531.1607317145-1553930732.1594919571|title=Observations on the State of the Aboriginal Inhabitants of New Zealand, 1859|year=1859}}</ref> After the gold began to diminish, so did Thames' population, dropping to 5,420 in 1878 and 4,563 in 1881.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1881-census/1881-results-census.html|title=Census of New Zealand 1881|date=1881|at=Table XIV. Showing, according to the Censuses of 1878 and 1881, the Population (exclusive of Maoris) of certain Cities, Boroughs, and Townships}}</ref> Thames also benefited from a period of extensive Kauri logging in the surrounding ranges around the same time.
The land involved in goldmining in Thames was Māori-owned; important parts of the goldfield were owned by the Ngāti Maru [[rangatira]] (chief) Rapana Maunganoa and the Taipari family. In 1878, when Wiremu Hōterene Taipari married a woman of the [[Ngāti Awa]] tribe of [[Whakatāne]], Ngāti Awa carvers arrived at Thames and built a meeting house at Pārāwai. It is incorrectly said to have been a wedding gift for the couple when actually Wiremu's father had paid money for another whare (meeting house), which was sold to the governor general at the time. When Wiremu's father returned to collect the whare the Ngati Awa chief apologised and said he would have another one built which would signify the marriage between Wiremu Taipari and his daughter. The house, named Hotunui<ref>{{Cite web|title = Hotunui, Whare Runanga|url = http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/collections-research/collections/record/am_humanhistory-object-33243|website = Auckland War Memorial Museum|access-date = 19 November 2015}}</ref> in honour of an important Ngāti Maru ancestor, now stands in the [[Auckland War Memorial Museum]].
=== Recent history ===
The Carters - Kopu sawmill, 9&nbsp;km south of Thames, closed in 2008 with the loss of 145 jobs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10508334|title=Kopu mill to close, 145 jobs to be lost|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=6 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/employment/news/article.cfm?c_id=11&objectid=10537431|title=Small town 'devastated' at mass job losses|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|first=Edward|last=Gay|date=14 October 2008}}</ref> In 2012, mayor of Thames-Coromandel called [[New Zealand Transport Agency|NZTA safety procedures]] into question when a [[sink hole]] on State Highway 25 north of Thames, opened above an old [[mine shaft]].<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/6778086/Huge-sink-hole-opened-up-on-Thames-highway  Huge sink hole opened up on Thames highway]</ref>
===Marae===
The Mātai Whetū Marae is located in Kopu. It is a meeting ground for [[Ngāti Maru (Hauraki)|Ngāti Maru]] and features [[Te Rama o Hauraki]] meeting house.<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>
===Treasury===
Operating since 2009, The Treasury is an archive and research centre located in the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/hauraki-herald/103701167/first-employee-hired-at-the-treasury|title=First employee hired at The Treasury|publisher=[[Stuff.co.nz|Stuff]]|author=Teresa Ramsey|date=16 May 2018|access-date=5 November 2019}}</ref> The book ''True Tales of Thames'' was launched at The Treasury by The Coromandel Heritage Trust.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/hauraki-herald/95121702/true-tales-of-thames-told-in-the-treasurys-new-book|title=True tales of Thames told in The Treasury's new book|first=Teresa|last=Ramsey|date=26 July 2017|access-date=5 November 2019|publisher=[[Stuff.co.nz|Stuff]]}}</ref>
=== Steampunk ===
[[File:Thames steampunk parade.jpg|thumb|People parading in costume at the Thames steampunk festival]]
Steampunk has been a community-supported festival in Thames since 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/85957274/full-steam-ahead-for-steampunk-the-thames-festival|title=Full steam ahead for Steampunk the Thames Festival|first=Teresa|last=Ramsey|date=1 November 2016|website=[[Stuff.co.nz|Stuff]]|access-date=7 November 2019}}</ref>
==Local government==
{{see also|Mayor of Thames}}
The area was initially controlled by the [[Auckland Provincial Council]]. In late 1871, a public meeting in Grahamstown resolved:<ref name="Thames Council history">{{cite web|title=Council History |url= http://www.tcdc.govt.nz/Your-Council/About-Us/Council-History/ |publisher=Thames-Coromandel District Council|access-date=18 May 2012}}</ref>
<blockquote>That in the opinion of the meeting it is desirable that a Municipal Corporation should be established for the Thames.</blockquote>
This resulted in the forming of a Thames Municipality Committee in early 1872. The Borough of Thames was gazetted in November 1873. The first Borough Council was elected in March 1874. As was practice at the time, the councillors voted one from their midst to be the mayor. William Davies was the only person proposed and voted into the role unanimously in April 1874.<ref name="Thames Council history" />
During the 1870s, Governor George Grey represented Thames in the [[New Zealand Parliament]].<ref name="HistoricTree" />
In total, there were 24 Mayors of Thames Borough.<ref name="Mayors and Councillors">{{cite web|title=Mayors and Councillors of Thames|url=http://www.thetreasury.org.nz/Councillors.htm|publisher=The Treasury|access-date=18 May 2012}}</ref> In 1975, Thames Borough amalgamated with Coromandel County, out of which [[Thames-Coromandel District]] arose.<ref name="Thames Council history" /> Hence, the role was succeeded by that of the [[Mayor of Thames-Coromandel]].
==Economy==
[[Image:Junction Hotel.jpg|thumb|right|Junction Hotel, one of several historic buildings remaining intact in Thames]]
Thames Hospital is the oldest still operating in New Zealand, having been built in the 1860s. The Māori owned land was donated by the Ngāti Maru rangatira Rapana Maunganoa. A new clinical centre and other improvements were completed in 2008, and a new maternity facility opened on 5 September 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1109/S00041/new-primary-birthing-unit-opens-in-thames.htm|title=New primary birthing unit opens in Thames|access-date=24 November 2011}}</ref> The Thames Jockey Club was one of the earliest to be established in New Zealand.<ref name="RacingForGold">{{cite book|author1=Johnny Williams|title=Racing For Gold|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y4myAAAACAAJ|access-date=25 February 2013|year=1987|publisher=Williams Publishers|isbn=0-473-00441-0}}</ref>
The [[Thames Aerodrome]] is 3&nbsp;km south of the town. Regular flights to [[Auckland]] are operated by [[Great Barrier Airlines]]. A major employer is the [[Toyota New Zealand]] plant, which assembled [[Complete knock down|CKD]] cars until 1998, and now refurbishes imported used cars. Another is the precision engineering works and foundry of [[A & G Price]], established 1868, who built 123 steam locomotives for [[New Zealand Railways Department]]. The Brian Boru Hotel, built in 1868, is the oldest Irish pub in New Zealand.<ref>Ghost Hunt: True New Zealand Ghost Stories {{ISBN|0-7900-1012-7}}</ref> Most shops are located on Pollen Street. Goldfields Shopping Centre is a major shopping mall in Thames.<ref>[http://www.goldfieldsshops.co.nz/ GOLDFIELDS SHOPPING CENTRE]</ref> Many residents work in tourism and locally owned businesses servicing the local farming community. Thames has also been used as a filming location for movies including ''[[Falling Inn Love]]'' and ''[[Bridge to Terabithia (2007 film)|Bridge to Terabithia]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a28858665/netflix-falling-inn-love-filming-location/|title=Netflix's New Movie 'Falling Inn Love' Was Filmed in the Most Charming Real-Life Town|last=O'Sullivan|first=Kelly|date=31 August 2019|work=Country Living|access-date=9 September 2019}}</ref>[[File:The_Terranora_(Ship)_at_Thames_Wharf_(21587012475).jpg|thumb|Northern Steamship's PS Terranora at Thames Wharf about 1898]]
== Transport ==
=== Port ===
Initially the main access to Thames was by sea, with goods and passengers landed on the beach. Shortland Wharf was built in 1868 and remains in use.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-01-25|title=The last wharf standing in Thames|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/life-style/65410230/the-last-wharf-standing-in-thames|access-date=2021-05-10|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref> Thames Harbour Board controlled the port from 1876<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thames Harbour Board Act 1876 (40 Victoriae 1876 No 87)|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/thba187640v1876n87312/|access-date=2021-05-10|website=www.nzlii.org}}</ref> until it was merged with the Town Council in 1936.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=1 Dec 1936|title=HAIL! AND FAREWELL! THAMES STAR|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THS19361201.2.27|access-date=2021-05-10|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> By then competition, following the opening of the railway in 1898 and then the Hauraki (now [[Kopu Bridge|Kopu) Bridge]] in 1928,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kopu Bridge|url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/4681|access-date=2021-05-10|website=www.heritage.org.nz}}</ref> had reduced the profitability of the wharves<ref name=":0" /> and a commissioner had been appointed, as the town couldn't meet its debts.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 May 1932|title=THAMES BOROUGH. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19320510.2.98|access-date=2021-05-10|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref>
Ships which have served Thames have included [[SS Go Ahead]] and [[Northern Steamship Company|Northern Steamship Co]]'s [http://www.nzmaritimeindex.org.nz/nssco/nsspage.php?vessel=1075005 Terranora] (1898), [http://www.nzmaritimeindex.org.nz/nssco/nsspage.php?vessel=1115191 Kapui] (1911)<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 Jan 1911|title=NEW ZEALAND HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19110117.2.3.3|access-date=2021-05-10|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> and [http://www.nzmaritimeindex.org.nz/nssco/nsspage.php?vessel=1136865 Waipu] (1928).<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 Nov 1928|title=NEW ZEALAND HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19281110.2.11.4|access-date=2021-05-10|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref>
=== Railway ===
The [[Thames Branch|Thames branch railway]] connecting the town with [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]] was opened in 1898 and was closed in 1991 and the tracks were taken up, though [[Thames railway station]] remains. The branch now provides part of the course for the [[Hauraki Rail Trail]].
=== Road ===
Thames is on SH25.
==== Bus ====
Thames Connector buses run 5 times a day between Tararu and Parawai.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thames Connector|url=https://busit.co.nz/regional-services/thames-connector/|access-date=2021-05-10|website=busit.co.nz}}</ref> Go Kiwi operate a shuttle bus from the east coast of Coromandel, via Thames, to Auckland.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Times & Stops|url=https://www.go-kiwi.co.nz/destinations-times|access-date=2021-05-10|website=Go Kiwi Shuttles|language=en-NZ}}</ref> [[InterCity (New Zealand)|InterCity]] run twice a day between Auckland and Tauranga via Thames.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|title=Book Bus Tickets Online|url=https://www.intercity.co.nz/book-a-trip|access-date=2021-05-10|website=www.intercity.co.nz|language=en-NZ}}</ref>
==Education==
[[Thames High School]] is a secondary (years 9–13) school with a [[Socio-Economic Decile|decile rating]] of 5 and a roll of {{NZ school roll data|111|y}}.<ref>{{TKI|111|Thames High School}}</ref> The school was established in 1880 and is the second oldest secondary school in the Auckland Province.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thames-high.school.nz/index.php?mid=1|title=About us|publisher=[[Thames High School]]}}</ref>
Moanataiari School, Parawai and Thames South are full primary (years 1–8) schools with decile ratings of 5, 6 and 3 and rolls of {{NZ school roll data|1829|y}}, {{NZ school roll data|1886|y}} and {{NZ school roll data|2027|y}}, respectively.<ref>{{TKI|1829|Moanataiari School}}</ref><ref>{{TKI|1886|Parawai School}}</ref><ref>{{TKI|2027|Thames South School}}</ref>
St Francis School is a full primary (years 1–8) school with a decile rating of 7 and a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1945|y}}.<ref>{{TKI|1945|St Francis School}}</ref> It is a state integrated Catholic school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coromandelcatholic.org.nz/Thames/tabid/994/Default.aspx|title=Thames Parish|publisher=Coromandel Catholic Parishes}}</ref>
All these schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}
A former local institution of learning was the [[Thames School of Mines]].
Another former school, Thames North, was at [[Tararu]]. It is now Thames Art Gallery.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thames Art Gallery|url=https://www.thamesartgallery.co.nz/|access-date=2020-08-02|website=Thamesartgallery|language=en}}</ref>
==Notable people from Thames==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
* [[Kylie Bax]] – model and actress
* [[David Brokenshire]] – architect and potter
* [[Paul Dibble]] – sculptor
* [[Frances Isabella Haselden|Frances Haselden]] – headmistress of Kauaeranga Girls' School in Thames
* [[Charlotte Lawlor]] – poet, writer and advertising designer
* Sir [[Graham Liggins]] - medical/obstetrical researcher
* [[Thomas Alexander O'Brien]] – cinema owner and entrepreneur
* Air Chief Marshal Sir [[Keith Park]] – WWII Air Commander and AOC 11 Group during [[Battle of Britain]] (July – October 1940)
* [[Rex Percy]] – NZ rugby league player
* [[Sonny Parker (rugby union)|Sonny Parker]] – Welsh international rugby union player
* [[Bruce Purchase]] – British actor
* [[Lloyd Stephenson]] – hockey player
* [[Eruini Heina Taipari]] –  tribal leader
* [[Puti Tipene Watene]] – NZ rugby league player and politician
* [[Hera Lindsay Bird]] - Poet
==Climate==
{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y
|collapsed = Y
|location = Thames (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1946–present)
| Jan record high C = 30.5
| Feb record high C = 30.1
| Mar record high C = 28.2
| Apr record high C = 26.5
| May record high C = 24.1
| Jun record high C = 22.2
| Jul record high C = 21.3
| Aug record high C = 20.5
| Sep record high C = 22.6
| Oct record high C = 24.3
| Nov record high C = 27.0
| Dec record high C = 28.0
| year record high C = 30.5
| Jan avg record high C  = 27.7
| Feb avg record high C  = 28.0
| Mar avg record high C  = 26.5
| Apr avg record high C  = 24.5
| May avg record high C  = 21.8
| Jun avg record high C  = 19.2
| Jul avg record high C  = 18.2
| Aug avg record high C  = 18.5
| Sep avg record high C  = 20.1
| Oct avg record high C  = 21.8
| Nov avg record high C  = 23.9
| Dec avg record high C  = 26.0
| year avg record high C = 28.5
|Jan high C = 	24.6
|Feb high C = 	24.9
|Mar high C = 	23.3
|Apr high C = 	20.9
|May high C = 	18.0
|Jun high C = 	15.5
|Jul high C = 	14.8
|Aug high C = 	15.4
|Sep high C = 	17.1
|Oct high C = 	18.6
|Nov high C = 	20.5
|Dec high C = 	22.7
| year high C =
|Jan mean C = 	19.6
|Feb mean C = 	20.0
|Mar mean C = 	18.3
|Apr mean C = 	16.1
|May mean C = 	13.6
|Jun mean C = 	11.4
|Jul mean C = 	10.6
|Aug mean C = 	11.3
|Sep mean C = 	12.8
|Oct mean C = 	14.3
|Nov mean C = 	15.9
|Dec mean C = 	18.1
| year mean C =
|Jan low C = 	14.6
|Feb low C = 	15.0
|Mar low C = 	13.2
|Apr low C = 	11.4
|May low C = 	9.2
|Jun low C = 	7.3
|Jul low C = 	6.5
|Aug low C = 	7.2
|Sep low C = 	8.6
|Oct low C = 	10.0
|Nov low C = 	11.3
|Dec low C = 	13.6
| Jan avg record low C  = 8.8
| Feb avg record low C  = 9.3
| Mar avg record low C  = 8.1
| Apr avg record low C  = 5.2
| May avg record low C  = 2.4
| Jun avg record low C  = 0.8
| Jul avg record low C  = 0.1
| Aug avg record low C  = 1.3
| Sep avg record low C  = 2.5
| Oct avg record low C  = 3.9
| Nov avg record low C  = 5.4
| Dec avg record low C  = 7.9
| year avg record low C = -0.4
|Jan record low C  = 1.7
|Feb record low C  = 5.1
|Mar record low C  = 0.2
|Apr record low C  = 1.1
|May record low C  =  -2.5
|Jun record low C  = -2.5
|Jul record low C  = -2.2
|Aug record low C  = -1.2
|Sep record low C  = -0.8
|Oct record low C  = -0.1
|Nov record low C  = 1.4
|Dec record low C  = 3.8
|year record low C = -2.5
| year low C =
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 	66.1
|Feb rain mm = 	74.0
|Mar rain mm = 	86.3
|Apr rain mm = 	104.6
|May rain mm = 	95.4
|Jun rain mm = 	129.4
|Jul rain mm = 	150.6
|Aug rain mm = 	124.7
|Sep rain mm = 	92.0
|Oct rain mm = 	80.9
|Nov rain mm = 	68.3
|Dec rain mm = 	86.3
|year rain mm =
|Jan sun = 	217.2
|Feb sun = 	199.5
|Mar sun = 	195.6
|Apr sun = 	158.3
|May sun = 	130.3
|Jun sun = 	104.2
|Jul sun = 	117.8
|Aug sun = 	145.6
|Sep sun = 	149.6
|Oct sun = 	171.8
|Nov sun = 	186.5
|Dec sun = 	198.8
|year sun =
|source 1 = NIWA<ref name= NIWA>
{{cite web
|url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz
|title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Thames 2
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 20 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 1529, 45320)
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 20 Jul 2024}}</ref>
}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{commons category|Thames, New Zealand}}
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Thames}}
*[http://www.thamesinfo.co.nz Thames Information]
*{{cite web|url= http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc02Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d5-d13.html |title= Thames in Cyclopaedia of New Zealand (1902) |publisher= NZETC |date= 1 December 2015}}
*[http://www.ohinemuri.org.nz/journals/71-journal-43-september-1999/1585-thames-steam-tramway 1871-74 tram route]
<!-- *[http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=21003 Government boosts Thames flood protection] -->
{{Authority control}}
{{Thames-Coromandel District}}
[[Category:Populated places in Waikato]]
[[Category:Thames-Coromandel District]]
[[Category:Populated places around the Firth of Thames]]