Welcome to Kaitaia
The most northerly town in New Zealand and springboard for business and exploration in the real Far North. Kaitaia is located about 110 km south of Cape Reinga and its climate for most of the year is subtropical.
Known in the past – when it was isolated by bad roads, or no roads, and the Mangamuka Ranges – as a friendly, do it yourself, community, Kaitaia continues its reputation today for being affable and welcoming. Its Maori and European history is long and rich.
Current snapshot of Kaitaia
A rural service town busily supporting local Agri-culture, sheep, beef and dairy farming, vineyards and fruit growing – especially avocados – as well as logging, milling, quarrying and an extensive range of service industries. Kaitaia is enriched with many old established families and businesses.
Alongside good shopping, cafes and restaurants, Kaitaia has a wide range of sporting activities available including an indoor sports centre, bowls, golf, tennis, squash and a shooting range. There is also a fine public library and a wide choice of schools.
Kaitaia Hospital is a crucial cog of the community. The centre of a bitter row when it was shifted from Mangonui to its present site in 1934, it cheerfully services a wide ranging region, both rural and urban.
Kaitaia Airport has a twice-daily air service from Auckland which began in 1947 and is operated by Air New Zealand Link. There is a daily intercity bus service from Auckland, making access to the Far North easy, and there are weekday bus services to Ahipara, Mangonui and Houhora, provided by CBEC.
Communication in the community is strong with local media. Te Hiku Media as a company houses 4 local radio stations Te Hiku FM 97.1 – Top Station in the Nation (linked with iwi stations across the country); Sunshine FM 104.3 – Proud to be Local with live shows 6am – 6pm; Cruise FM 106.7 – for the nostalgic listener; Tai FM 98.7 Where the Beats HOT! (Youth station) and a local TV Station, Te Hiku TV – Your TV, Local TV. Also with one of the gutsiest small regional newspapers, with a strong feel of tradition – The Northland Age, est. 1904.
Arts
Kaitaia and surrounding areas are home to many skilled craftspeople working in wood, pottery, paint, glass, ceramics, flax, bone and greenstone.
The Far North Community Centre, set in pleasant grounds, is a venue for concerts, plays and other cultural events as well as conferences, seminars and meetings. It will form part of the new Te Ahu multi-functional community facility for the northern region of the Far North district, designed by a local architectural practice.
Kaitaia has a strong and energetic Dalmatian connection stemming from the days of the gum digging boom, a time when gum gathered from fallen kauri trees fetched high prices. A vigorous Dalmatian cultural club makes its presence felt.
The Far North Regional Museum has moa, kiwi and gum digging displays alongside flax snails, textiles and early transport and communication history. The important Northwood Photographic Collection displays the work of Arthur Northwood and his brothers from early in the 20th century.
