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Snells Beach

Coordinates: 36°25′20″S 174°43′39″E / 36.42222°S 174.72750°E / -36.42222; 174.72750
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Snells Beach
Snells Beach from northern end
Snells Beach from northern end
Map
Coordinates: 36°25′20″S 174°43′39″E / 36.42222°S 174.72750°E / -36.42222; 174.72750
CountryNew Zealand
RegionAuckland Region
WardRodney ward
Local boardRodney Local Board
SubdivisionWarkworth subdivision
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityAuckland Council
Area
[1]
 • Total3.83 km2 (1.48 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total3,750
 • Density980/km2 (2,500/sq mi)
Postcode(s)
0920

Snells Beach is a small coastal town in the north of Auckland Region in the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the eastern coast of the Mahurangi Peninsula and its namesake beach faces east across Kawau Bay to Kawau Island. The nearest town is Warkworth, 8 km (5.0 mi) to the west, which is linked by 8 buses a day[3] and also Mahu City Express twice a day.[4]

Geography

[edit]

Snells Beach is an isthmus located on the Mahurangi Peninsula, between the Mahurangi Harbour and Kawau Bay of the Hauraki Gulf.[5] It is located 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) east of the town of Warkworth, and adjacent to the settlements of Sandspit and Algies Bay.

Important seagrass meadows are present on the shallow tidal ecosystem at Snells Beach.[6] The seagrass protects Snells Beach from intense wave action and is an important source of food for protected native wildlife that lives and visits the shoreline.[7]

History

[edit]

Māori history

[edit]

The wider Mahurangi area has been settled since at least the 13th century.[8] One of the first known iwi to have settled in the area is Ngāi Tāhuhu.[9][10] Te Arawa and Tainui migratory waka are known to have visited the area, and descendants of captain Manaia of the Māhuhu-ki-te-rangi waka are known to have intermarried with Ngāi Tāhuhu.[10]

Mahurangi peoples primarily focused settlement along the shores of the Hauraki Gulf,[11][12] moving between different kāinga based on available seasonal resources.[13] Snells Beach and adjacent Algies Bay (Horahorawai)[14] were protected by headland pā to the north and south, which looked out towards Kawau Island and Moanauriuri (Kawau Bay), an important shark fishery.[15][12] Archaeological middens and terraces have been discovered in the areas adjacent to the north and south headlands of Snells Beach.[15]

By the mid-1700s, Marutūāhu tribes from the Hauraki Gulf, especially Ngāti Pāoa, sought to control the shark fishery located on the Mahurangi coast, between Kawau Island and the Whangaparāoa Peninsula.[10] War broke out between Ngāti Pāoa and the Kawerau hapū. By the early 19th century, Kawerau-descended hapū held exclusive land rights to the Mahurangi, while fishing rights were shared between these hapū and the Marutūāhu tribes.[10] By the early 19th Century, the Mahurangi Harbour was primarily settled by Ngāti Rongo and their related hapū Ngāti Kā and Ngāti Raupō, all of whom kept close ties to Ngāti Manuhiri,[11][13] while Marutūahu tribes frequented the coast during the summertime.[11]

In the early 1820s during the Musket Wars, Ngāpuhi and related northern tribes attacked the Mahurangi area settlements in retaliation for past losses, leading to the Mahurangi area being depopulated.[10] Ngāti Rongo, Ngāti Raupō and Ngāti Mahuhiri sought refuge with different tribes in Northland.[9][10] Ngāti Rongo returned to the Mahurangi area in 1836, under the leadership of Te Hēmara Tauhia, focusing settlement at Te Muri.[13][9] Ngāti Rongo, Ngāti Raupō and Ngāti Mahuhiri returned to the area by the late 1830s or early 1840s.[10] By this period, many of the Kawerau hapū had developed associations with Ngāti Whātua, and the Mahurangi area was contested between Kawerau, Ngāti Whātua and Marutūāhu tribes.[10]

European settlement

[edit]
Aerial view of Snells Beach in 1957

Following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, the Crown made the first purchases of the Mahurangi and Omaha blocks on 13 April 1841. While some iwi and hapū with customary interests had been engaged, such as Ngāti Paoa; Ngāti Rongo, Ngāti Raupō and Ngāti Manuhiri were not a part of this transaction, and it took the Crown until the 1850s to finalise a deal these tribes.[16][17][11][9]

The area was originally known as Long Beach to early European settlers. It was bought in 1854 by Cornish miner James Snell, who had initially settled at Kawau Island after first working at mines in South Australia. Snell settled at the beach, where his family farmed for generations. Scottish immigrant Alexander Algie and wife Mina, née Deerness, bought the land to the south at Martins Bay, where his brother Samuel settled in 1867. The Algie family established a boarding house on the beach in the late 1890s, which operated until 1941.[14]

In 1904, J. Clayden and J. Parkinson discovered a large amount of kauri gum at Snells Beach, extracting seven tons during low tide. Further digs took place in 1907, predominantly by recent Dalmatian immigrants to the area.[14] By the early 20th century, Snells Beach was becoming a popular spot for holidaymakers, and in the 1930s, the area became better connected to the Auckland roading network, when a metal road was constructed along the Mahurangi Peninsula.[14]

The first block of shops in Snells Beach was constructed in 1982.[18] The commercial and light industrial area of Snells Beach led to the community becoming the service centre for the wider Mahurangi Peninsula, and the second largest commercial centre in the Warkworth/Matakana areas.[19] During the 2010s, the area transitioned away from being primarily a holiday town to a permanently settled satellite town of Warkworth.[20] In 2012, the Snells Beach library was marked for closure, leaving many residents bewildered and angry.[21]

Demographics

[edit]

Snells Beach covers 3.83 km2 (1.48 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 3,750 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 979 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,727—    
20132,931+1.04%
20183,405+3.04%
Source: [22]

Snells Beach had a population of 3,405 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 474 people (16.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 678 people (24.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,380 households, comprising 1,656 males and 1,746 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female. The median age was 47.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 606 people (17.8%) aged under 15 years, 438 (12.9%) aged 15 to 29, 1,374 (40.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 984 (28.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 90.7% European/Pākehā, 10.7% Māori, 5.0% Pacific peoples, 3.3% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 25.4, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.5% had no religion, 38.1% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 1.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 489 (17.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 537 (19.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $28,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 399 people (14.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,137 (40.6%) people were employed full-time, 444 (15.9%) were part-time, and 72 (2.6%) were unemployed.[22]

Features and attractions

[edit]
Welcome to Snells Beach

The 2.5 kilometre long tidal sandy beach, which attracts a variety of shorebirds, is popular for kite surfing, paddle boarding, swimming, fishing, and dog walking. The pohutukawa-lined esplanade reserve features footpaths, playgrounds, picnic areas, a public barbecue, a waterfront café, public toilets, showers, boat ramps, and free overnight parking for motorhomes.

The Mahurangi Shopping Centre includes cafés, retail stores, public toilets, Wifi facilities, and overnight parking for motorhomes. The adjacent Goodalls Reserve hosts a community centre, library, bowling club, tennis club, kindergarten, skate park, sports fields, dog exercise area, and walking tracks. Nearby is a petrol station, two motels, and several bed and breakfasts.

The Brick Bay Sculpture Trail – an outdoor gallery showcasing contemporary sculpture amongst native trees, palms, birdlife and green pastures – is located at the western entrance of Snells Beach. Snells Beach contains the Rodney District’s regional television broadcaster: Family TV.[23]

Education

[edit]

Snells Beach Primary is a coeducational contributing primary school catering for years 1-6. It opened in 2009.[24] The school is intended to grow to about 500 students.[25] The roll was 394 students in August 2024.[26][27] Horizon School, formerly Mahurangi Christian School, is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a roll of 244 students as at August 2024.[26]. The school is state integrated.[28]

References

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  1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Warkworth Kowhai Coast Northern Bus Timetable" (PDF). 30 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Luxury Commuting On eCoaches. Round-Trip Bus From Auckland to Warkworth". Mahu City Express. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  5. ^ "Place name detail: Snells Beach". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Comparing seagrass meadows across New Zealand". NIWA. 1 March 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Celebrating Snells Beach's seagrass". Snells Conservation. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  8. ^ McKenzie, Fiona (November 2013). Cultural Impact Assessment for Hall Farm Orewa West (Report). Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d Apfel, Aaron; Farley, Glen (March 2021). 33-43 McKinney Road, Warkworth: Archaeological Assessment (PDF) (Report). Clough & Associates Ltd. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h Tino Rangatiratanga me te Kāwanatanga: The Report on Stage 2 of the Te Paparahi o Te Raki Inquiry. Waitangi Tribunal Report 2023 Wai 1040 Part I Volume 1 (PDF) (Report). Waitangi Tribunal. 2023. ISBN 978-1-86956-365-3. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d Brassey, Robert; Walker, Megan (November 2018). Historic Heritage Assessment Report: Draft Warkworth Structure Plan (PDF) (Report). Auckland Council. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  12. ^ a b Judge, Charlotte (October 2017). Foster Crescent, Snells Beach - Proposed Subdivision: Archaeological Assessment (PDF) (Report). Clough & Associates Ltd. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Cameron, Ellen; Phear, Sarah (May 2019). Warkworth North Structure Plan and Plan Change: Archaeological Assessment (PDF) (Report). Clough & Associates Ltd. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d Waters, Judy. "Snells Beach History and Background". Snells Beach Ratepayers and Residents Association. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  15. ^ a b McKenzie, Fiona (July 2018). Cultural Impact Assessment for Proposed Foster Crescent Plan Change and Residential Subdivision (PDF) (Report). Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  16. ^ Rigby, Barry (August 1998). The Crown, Maori and Mahurangi 1840-1881 (PDF) (Report). Waitangi Tribunal. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  17. ^ Stone 2001, pp. 188.
  18. ^ Bioletti, Harry (1992). Rodney Coast to Coast: the Story of the Rodney County Council 1976-1989. Times Media Group Ltd. p. 121. ISBN 0-473-01296-0.
  19. ^ Jacobs, Lauraine (2021). It Takes a Village: a Guide to Matakana and Its Surrounding Districts. Massey University Press. pp. 136, 162. ISBN 978-0-9951431-0-4.
  20. ^ Brooke, Gemma-Rose (16 November 2021). LAND USE & SUBDIVISION RESOURCE CONSENT (PDF) (Report). The Planning Collective. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  21. ^ Cost cuts threaten two libraries - NZ Herald Retrieved December 2012
  22. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Snells Beach (111700). 2018 Census place summary: Snells Beach
  23. ^ Warkworth Information Centre – Snells Beach / Algies Bay Retrieved December 2011
  24. ^ "New school heads to the beach". Education Gazette New Zealand. 88 (1). 26 January 2009. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012.
  25. ^ "$8 million for new Snells Beach Primary School". New Zealand Government. 6 December 2006. Retrieved 5 February 2009.
  26. ^ a b "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  27. ^ Education Counts: Snells Beach Primary
  28. ^ Education Counts: Horizon School
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