Patea 625955 219828883 2008-06-17T01:34:59Z Gadfium 54381 /* External links */ fix link {{Infobox Settlement |name = Patea |population_total = 1143 |population_as_of = 2006 |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = [[New Zealand]] |subdivision_type1= Region |subdivision_name1= [[Taranaki]] |subdivision_type2= District |subdivision_name2= [[South Taranaki District]] |pushpin_map = Taranaki |pushpin_label_position = left |latd = 39 |latm = 45 |lats = 26 |latNS = S |longd = 174 |longm = 28 |longs = 36 |longEW = E }} [[Image:Patea, Taranaki, New Zealand, 12 April 2008.jpg|thumb|Aerial view]] [[Image:Remembrance arch, Patea.jpg|thumb|The Aotea canoe remembrance arch in Patea]] '''Patea''' is the second-largest town in South [[Taranaki]], [[New Zealand]]. It is located on the western bank of the [[Patea River]], 61 kilometres north-west of [[Wanganui]] on [[State Highway]] 3. [[Hawera]] is 27 km to the northwest, and [[Waverley, Taranaki|Waverley]] is 17 km to the east. The Patea River flows past the town to the northeast and into the [[South Taranaki Bight]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|id=ISBN 0-7900-0952-8|author=Peter Dowling (editor)|publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 44}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|id=ISBN 1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|pages=map 97}}</ref> The town's name is pronounced approximately as "pah-tay-uh". The population was 1143 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 146 from 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2006-census-data/final-counts/tarankai-region.htm|title=Final counts – census night and census usually resident populations, and occupied dwellings - South Taranaki District|publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]]}}</ref> ==History== The European town called Patea, originally named [[Carlyle Beach|Carlyle]], was situated closer to the river mouth than is the main part of the present town. During the [[New Zealand land wars]] Patea was an important military settlement. [[Duncan Alexander Cameron|General Cameron]]'s force arrived at the mouth of the Patea River on [[15 January]] [[1865]] and constructed [[redoubt]]s on both sides of the river. With the eventual end of hostilities, Patea grew into a [[Market town]]. The first of the sections on the present town site were sold in 1870. A local shipping company was established in 1872, and harbour improvements begun. The [[Marton - New Plymouth Line|Marton-New Plymouth railway line]] via Patea was completed in March 1885. The Carlyle Town Board, created about 1877 to administer town affairs, was succeeded by a [[borough council]] constituted on 13 October 1881 under the earlier locality name of Patea. The town came to national attention in 1982 for the closure of the main employer, the [[Patea Freezing Works]]. Patea was also catapulted to fame in 1982 as the home of singer [[Dalvanius Prime]] and the [[Patea Māori Club]]. Their single, "[[Poi E (album)|Poi E]]", was an early indicator of renewed impetus in contemporary [[Māori]] popular music. ==The Freezing Works== In the early 1880s the predecessor to the [[Patea Freezing Works]] was established on the eastern bank of the Patea River. Cool stores for handling dairy produce followed in 1901 with later additions evolving into what became known as the Patea Freezing Co-Op and South Taranaki's primary employer. Strategic reforms implemented the closing of the processing plant, inefficiencies and nationwide over processing lead to its demise when finally - after 100 years of operation in September of 1982 - the Patea freezing Works finally closed her doors leaving a once thriving township bereft of staple employment. In February 2008 - the old site suffered massive and extensive fires. ==The current town== Patea has retained a strong community focus and enjoys many services. This includes a well resourced Medical Centre, public swimming pool and trust-owned Rest Home. Patea LibraryPlus is open 5 days a week, offering Council services as well as full library facilities. A few miles east of Patea is the small community of [[Whenuakura]] where New Zealand golfer [[Michael Campbell]] lived as a child. He learned to play golf at the Patea Golf Club which sits on the cliffs overlooking the [[Tasman Sea]]. He crowned his professional career by winning the [[U.S. Open (golf)|US Open]] in June 2005, and three months later, the [[HSBC World Match Play Championship]] which carries the richest prize in golf, £1,000,000. Patea is the proclaimed birthplace of South Taranaki.{{coor title dm|39|45|S|174|29|E|region:NZ_type:city}}. ==Education== [[Patea Area School]] is a composite (years 1-15) school with a roll of 170.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=185|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Patea Area School|publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> Until 2005, the school was Patea High School. It became an area school when Patea Primary School closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/ERO\reppub.nsf/Institution/FA71A8C12846E415CC2571960016D508/$File/185.htm|title=Education Review Report: Patea Area School|date=June 2006}}</ref> The primary school was founded in 1875.<ref>{{cite book|title=Patea Primary School centennial, 1875-1975|last=Baker|first=Ngaere|year=1975}}</ref> [[St Joseph's School, Patea|St Joseph's School]] is a state integrated Catholic contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a roll of 34.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=2452|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - St Joseph's School, Patea|St Joseph's School|publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> The school was established in January 1904.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stjospatea.school.nz/history.php|title=School History|publisher=St Joseph's School}}</ref> Both schools are coeducational, and have a decile rating of 1. == References == {{reflist|1}} South Taranaki District Council Heritage files (Local Government Historical Body) [http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:Ogv_p73ng-IJ:www.stdc.co.nz/pdf/patea_heritage_inventory_2000.pdf+patea+history&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1] Historical Settlements-from Whanganui to New Plymouth - N.J Taniwha - Wanganui - summary 2001 1st year 1997 subm. Political Essay - Infrastructure - Patea Freezing Works Government deregulation and asset assumption - A political agenda. National Congress Lib. Washington USA ==External links== * [http://www.stjospatea.school.nz St Joseph's School website] [[Category:Cities, towns and communities in New Zealand]] [[Category:South Taranaki District]]