Whirinaki, Northland

Whirinaki is a locality in the south Hokianga, in Northland, New Zealand. The name means "to lean against a support". Highway 12 runs through it. Opononi lies to the south west, and Rawene lies to the north east.

The population is approximately 200 people, 90% of which are Māori. A large proportion of the population lives on papakāinga land.

The area was raided by Te Roroa in 1810 or 1811, during the Musket Wars. All the inhabitants of Opara village were killed.

Education

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Tonga o Hokianga is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 2 and a roll of 57. It is a Kura Kaupapa Māori school which teaches fully in the Māori language.

There was a Whirinaki Native School during the early-mid 20th century.

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