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Coordinates: 41°51′27″S 171°57′8″E / 41.85750°S 171.95222°E / -41.85750; 171.95222
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{{Short description|Settlement on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Inangahua Junction
|name = Inangahua Junction
|image_skyline = Inangahua State Highway 6.JPG
|image_skyline = Inangahua State Highway 6.JPG
|image_caption = [[New Zealand State Highway 6]] passing through Inangahua Junction
|image_caption = {{NZlSH|6}} passing through Inangahua Junction
|area_total_km2 = 412.43
⚫
|population_total = 159
|area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/>
⚫
|population_as_of = 2006
⚫
|population_total = 102
|coordinates_region = NZ
⚫
|population_as_of = 2018 Census
⚫
|subdivision_type = Country
|population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2018"/>
⚫
|subdivision_name = New Zealand
|population_density_km2 = auto
⚫
|subdivision_type1= Region
⚫
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name1= [[West Coast, New Zealand|West Coast]]
⚫
|subdivision_name = New Zealand
⚫
|subdivision_type2= District
⚫
|subdivision_type1 = Region
⚫
|subdivision_name2= [[Buller District]]
|pushpin_map = West Coast
|subdivision_name1 = [[West Coast, New Zealand|West Coast]]
⚫
|subdivision_type2 = District
|pushpin_label_position = top
⚫
|subdivision_name2 = [[Buller District]]
|latd = 41
|subdivision_type3 = [[Community boards in New Zealand|Community board]]
|latm = 51
|subdivision_name3 = Inangahua Community Board<ref>{{cite web |title=Buller District Council, New Zealand » Mayor and Councillors |url=https://bullerdc.govt.nz/mayor-a-councillors/ |website=bullerdc.govt.nz |publisher=Buller District Council |access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref>
|lats = 27
|subdivision_type4 = Ward
|latNS = S
|subdivision_name4 = Inangahua
|longd = 171
|longm = 57
|seat_type = Electorates
|longs = 8
|seat = {{ubl|[[West Coast-Tasman]]|[[Te Tai Tonga]]}}
|longEW = E
|leader_title = Territorial authority
|leader_name = [[Buller District Council]]
|leader_title1 = Regional council
|leader_name1 = [[West Coast Regional Council]]
|leader_title2 = [[Mayor of Buller]]
|leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Buller District Mayor|y}}
|leader_title3 = {{nowrap|[[West Coast-Tasman|West Coast-Tasman MP]]}}
|leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|West Coast-Tasman MP|y}}
|leader_title4 = [[Te Tai Tonga|Te Tai Tonga MP]]
|leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tonga MP|y}}
|image_map = {{infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|41|51|27|S|171|57|8|E}}|zoom=6}}
⚫
|coordinates = {{coord|41|51|27|S|171|57|8|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
}}
}}
⚫
'''Inangahua''' is a small settlement in the northwest of New Zealand's [[South Island]]. It consists of three settled areas: '''Inangahua Junction''' at the confluence of the [[Inangahua River|Inangahua]] and [[Buller River]]s, {{convert|34|km|mi}} north of [[Reefton, New Zealand|Reefton]] and {{convert|46|km|mi}} southeast of [[Westport, New Zealand|Westport]]; '''Inangahua Landing''', 10&nbsp;km further up the Inangahua River; and '''Inangahua township''', 2&nbsp;km east of the Junction. [[Murchison, New Zealand|Murchison]] is {{convert|52|km|mi}} further east.<ref>{{cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|isbn=0-7900-0952-8|editor=Peter Dowling |publisher=Reed Books|no-pp=true|page=map 64}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|isbn=1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|no-pp=true|page=map 141}}</ref> After the 1968 Inangahua Earthquake, most of the inhabitants left the area or shifted to the township, which is now the population centre and known simply as Inangahua.


Inangahua's main industries include forestry, coal, farming and sawmilling. There is a small primary school, shops, fire station and earthquake museum.
[[Image:The milk tanker arrives, Inangahua Junction 1978.jpg|thumb|The [[milk tanker]] arrives, Inangahua Junction 1978.]]

⚫
'''Inangahua Junction''' is a small town in the northwest of New Zealand's [[South Island]]. It is located at the confluence of the [[Inangahua River|Inangahua]] and [[Buller River]]s, {{convert|34|km|mi}} north of [[Reefton, New Zealand|Reefton]] and {{convert|46|km|mi}} southeast of [[Westport, New Zealand|Westport]]. [[Murchison, New Zealand|Murchison]] is {{convert|52|km|mi}} to the east. The town of Inangahua is just to the east of the junction.<ref>{{cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|isbn=0-7900-0952-8|author=Peter Dowling (editor)|publisher=Reed Books|nopp=true|page=map 64}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|isbn=1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|nopp=true|page=map 141}}</ref> The town's main industries include forestry, coal, farming and sawmilling. There is a small primary school, shops, fire station and earthquake museum. The population was 159 in the [[New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings|2006 Census]], an increase of 9 people from 2001.<ref>{{NZ Quickstats|3584412}}</ref> The name of the town refers to ''inanga'', the [[Māori language|Māori]] word for [[whitebait]]. Inangahua Junction was formerly known as Christies Junction.
== Name ==
The name of the town refers to ''inanga'', the [[Māori language|Māori]] word for [[whitebait]] (''[[Galaxias]]'' spp.) and ''hua'', the act of drying and preserving them in sealed containers; the river was known for its abundance of fish.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Reed|first=A. W.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/49290681|title=The Reed dictionary of New Zealand place names|publisher=Reed|year=1979|isbn=0-7900-0761-4|edition=2002|location=Auckland [N.Z.]|pages=220|oclc=49290681}}</ref> Inangahua Junction was formerly known as Christies Junction.

== Inangahua Landing ==
Before the construction of the [[Buller Gorge]] road, the only way to travel inland from [[Westport, New Zealand|Westport]] was by river. At the beginning of the [[West Coast gold rush]], mining equipment and quartz-crushing machinery was ferried up the [[Buller River]] to its confluence with the [[Inangahua River|Inangahua]], then about 10&nbsp;km up the Inangahua as far as "The Landing", from which it was transported overland south to [[Reefton]]. At the height of the gold rush over 1000 prospectors were working in tributaries of the Inangahua.


==Earthquake==
==Earthquake==
{{Main|1968 Inangahua earthquake}}
The town was substantially affected by an [[1968 Inangahua earthquake|earthquake on Friday, 24 May 1968]]. At 5:24 am, the earthquake measuring 7.1 on the [[Richter magnitude scale|Richter scale]] struck the town, and many landslides and aftershocks followed. The entire population of around 100 was temporarily evacuated. There were no fatalities in the town, but a woman and her visiting mother were killed when the house they were in, along the Inangahua Junction to [[Westport, New Zealand|Westport]] road, was crushed by a landslide on the cliffs above their house,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/historic-earthquakes/top-nz/quake-09.html|title=GeoNet – M 7.1, Inangahua, May 24, 1968|publisher=[[GeoNet (New Zealand)|GeoNet]]|access-date=8 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604015940/http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/historic-earthquakes/top-nz/quake-09.html|archive-date=4 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> while a man died near Greymouth when his car hit a section of road on that suddenly subsided on the run-up to a bridge.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/News-and-Events/Media-Releases/Inangahua-quake |title=The day the earth moved in Inangahua |first=John |last=Callan |work=[[GNS Science|Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited]]<!--- name at the time it was published ---> |date=24 May 1998 |access-date=5 November 2018}}</ref> Another three died days later when a helicopter surveying downed telephone lines crashed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/1166|title=Story: Inangahua Earthquake|first=Brian|last=McIntyre|publisher=West Coast New Zealand History|access-date=1 January 2018}}</ref>

==Demographics==
Inangahua Junction is in an SA1 statistical area which covers {{Convert|412.43|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=3 August 2023|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> The SA1 area is part of the larger Inangahua statistical area.

{{Historical populations|2006|159|2013|144|2018|102|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population of Inangahua Junction and surrounds|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/>}}
[[File:Inangahua Junction MRD WCWPAL 07.jpg|thumb|Rail bridge at Inangahua Landing]]
[[Image:Inangahua Junction bridge after 1968 earthquake.jpg|thumb|Inangahua Junction bridge after the 1968 earthquake]]
[[Image:Inangahua Junction bridge after 1968 earthquake.jpg|thumb|Inangahua Junction bridge after the 1968 earthquake]]
The SA1 area had a population of 102 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], a decrease of 42 people (−29.2%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and a decrease of 57 people (−35.8%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 51 households, comprising 60 males and 45 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.33 males per female. The median age was 40.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 24 people (23.5%) aged under 15 years, 15 (14.7%) aged 15 to 29, 54 (52.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 12 (11.8%) aged 65 or older.
The town was substantially affected by an [[1968 Inangahua earthquake|earthquake on Friday, 24 May 1968]]. At 5:24am, the earthquake measuring 7.1 on the [[Richter magnitude scale|Richter scale]] struck the town, and many landslides and aftershocks followed. The entire population of around 100 was temporarily evacuated. Two people were killed,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/historic-earthquakes/top-nz/quake-09.html|title=GeoNet – M 7.1, Inangahua, May 24, 1968|publisher=GeoNet|accessdate=8 June 2011}}</ref> and another three died later when a helicopter evacuating survivors crashed.

Ethnicities were 85.3% European/[[Pākehā]], 5.9% [[Māori people|Māori]], 8.8% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 2.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.8% had no religion, 23.5% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 8.8% were [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]] and 2.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 21 (26.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $20,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 6 people (7.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 39 (50.0%) people were employed full-time, 12 (15.4%) were part-time, and 3 (3.8%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7023643}}</ref>

===Inangahua statistical area===
Inangahua statistical area, which surrounds but does not include [[Reefton]], covers {{Convert|3195.94|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area"/> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Inangahua|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Inangahua|y}}|R}}/3195.94|2}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Historical populations|2006|981|2013|1,011|2018|864|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for the statistical area|source=<ref name="Census 2018 I"/>}}
The statistical area had a population of 864 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], a decrease of 147 people (−14.5%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and a decrease of 117 people (−11.9%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 402 households, comprising 468 males and 396 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.18 males per female. The median age was 42.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 162 people (18.8%) aged under 15 years, 150 (17.4%) aged 15 to 29, 426 (49.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 123 (14.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 91.3% European/[[Pākehā]], 9.4% [[Māori people|Māori]], 0.7% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], 3.1% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 2.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 11.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.9% had no religion, 28.8% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.7% were [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]] and 1.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 48 (6.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 201 (28.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 60 people (8.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 375 (53.4%) people were employed full-time, 108 (15.4%) were part-time, and 21 (3.0%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018 I">{{NZ census 2018|Inangahua (309700)|inangahua|Inangahua}}</ref>


==Railways==
==Railways==
Inangahua Junction is located on the [[Stillwater - Westport Line]] [[railway]], and was intended to be the junction of this line with the never-completed [[Nelson Section]]. In 1914, the railway was opened to Inangahua Junction from its former terminus in [[Cronadun]], but subsequent progress through the Buller Gorge was slow. In July 1942, trains began running the full length of the line between [[Stillwater, West Coast|Stillwater]] and Westport, but the line was not officially opened until 5 December 1943. With the commencement of through services, passenger trains were operated by [[NZR RM class|RM class]] [[NZR RM class (Vulcan)|Vulcan]] [[railcar]]s, which connected in Stillwater with services that ran along the [[Midland Line, New Zealand|Midland Line]] between [[Greymouth]] and [[Christchurch]]. In 1967, the passenger services ceased, and today, the primary traffic is coal, with multiple coal trains passing through Inangahua Junction daily. Today the town is served by the daily inter city bus between [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]] and Westport.
Inangahua Junction is located on the [[Stillwater - Westport Line]] [[railway]], and was intended to be the junction of this line with the never-completed [[Nelson Section]]. In 1914, the railway was opened to Inangahua Junction from its former terminus in [[Cronadun]], but subsequent progress through the Buller Gorge was slow. In July 1942, trains began running the full length of the line between [[Stillwater, West Coast|Stillwater]] and Westport, but the line was not officially opened until 5 December 1943. With the commencement of through services, passenger trains were operated by [[NZR RM class|RM class]] [[NZR RM class (Vulcan)|Vulcan]] [[railcar]]s, which connected in Stillwater with services that ran along the [[Midland Line, New Zealand|Midland Line]] between [[Greymouth]] and [[Christchurch]]. In 1967, the passenger services ceased, and today, the primary traffic is coal, with multiple coal trains passing through Inangahua Junction daily. Today the town is served by the daily inter city bus between [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]] and Westport.


==PHAT Music Festival==
==PHAT Music Festival==
Inangaha was the host of the PHAT New Year's Eve music festivals. PHAT07, PHAT08, PHAT09, PHAT10, PHAT11 featured New Zealand and many international acts. PHAT is held on flat clearings surrounded by native [[The Bush|bush]] on Rough Creek Road, off Browns Creek Road, south of Inangahua and owned by the Storer family. Approximately 5000 people attend the PHAT music festivals, with 48+ hours of continuous performance on two stages.
Inangahua was the host of the PHAT New Year's Eve music festivals. PHAT07, PHAT08, PHAT09, PHAT10 (with Australian band [[Pendulum (ambient band)|Pendulum]] and NZers [[Black Seeds]], [[Kora (band)|Kora]], [[Salmonella Dub]], [[Tiki Taane|Tiki]] and [[Concord Dawn]]),<ref name="Phat 10">{{cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10617850 | title=Phat 10 festival underway | work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] | date=30 December 2009 | access-date=September 14, 2018 | agency=[[NZPA]]}}</ref> PHAT11 featured New Zealand and many international acts. PHAT is held on flat clearings surrounded by native [[The Bush|bush]] on Rough Creek Road, off Browns Creek Road, south of Inangahua and owned by the Storer family. Approximately 5000 people attend the PHAT music festivals, with 48+ hours of continuous performance on two stages.


The other annual event held on the Inangahua site was PHAT MOON, a slightly smaller version of the bigger New Year's Eve's event.
[[Image:The milk tanker arrives, Inangahua Junction 1978.jpg|thumb|The [[milk tanker]] arrives, Inangahua Junction 1978.]]The other annual event held on the Inangahua site was PHAT MOON, a slightly smaller version of the bigger New Year's Eve's event.
PHAT MOON was held over Easter weekend. The music runs for 24 hours, but people are invited to come and camp the night before.
PHAT MOON was held over Easter weekend. The music runs for 24 hours, but people are invited to come and camp the night before.
This ceased quite a few years ago, the site has returned to a being a farm.
This ceased quite a few years ago; the site has returned to being a farm.


==Education==
==Education==
[[Inangahua Junction School]] is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a [[Socio-Economic Decile|decile rating]] of 6 and a roll of 9.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=3198|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Inangahua Junction School|publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> The school was in existence in 1887.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~babznz/Inanghuaschool.html|title=Nelson Education Board Exam Schedules - Inangahua Junction 1887-1900}}</ref>
Inangahua Junction School was a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school. The school was in existence in 1887.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~babznz/Inanghuaschool.html|title=Nelson Education Board Exam Schedules - Inangahua Junction 1887-1900}}</ref> It closed in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/west-coast/west-coast-rural-school-close|title=West Coast rural school to close|newspaper=Otago Daily Times|first=Laura|last=Mills|date=3 August 2018}}</ref>


Inangahua College merged with Reefton School to form [[Reefton Area School]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/schooling/directories/?a=7771|title=School Mergers, Closures and New Schools|year=2004|format=XLS|publisher=Education Counts}}</ref> The College, which existed for 38 years, replaced the Reefton District High School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hometown.co.nz/downloads/School%20Closures%20.pdf|format=PDF|title=District School Reunion|year=2003}}</ref>
Inangahua College merged with Reefton School to form [[Reefton Area School]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/schooling/directories/?a=7771|title=School Mergers, Closures and New Schools|year=2004|format=XLS|publisher=Education Counts|access-date=2008-07-24|archive-date=2008-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015134122/http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/schooling/directories/?a=7771|url-status=dead}}</ref> The College, which existed for 38 years, replaced the Reefton District High School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hometown.co.nz/downloads/School%20Closures%20.pdf|format=PDF|title=District School Reunion|year=2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526011359/http://hometown.co.nz/downloads/School%20Closures%20.pdf|archive-date=2010-05-26}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}
<!-- add this as an inline ref after checj=king the source - {{ReedPlacenames2002}} -->
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [https://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&z=13&ll=-41.86074,171.895523&spn=0.061239,0.160675&om=1 Map of Inangahua area]
* [https://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&z=13&ll=-41.86074,171.895523&spn=0.061239,0.160675&om=1 Map of Inangahua area]


{{Buller District}}
{{Buller District}}

⚫
{{coord|41|51|S|171|57|E|region:NZ_type:city|display=title}}


[[Category:Buller District]]
[[Category:Buller District]]
[[Category:Populated places in the West Coast, New Zealand]]
[[Category:Populated places in the West Coast Region]]

Latest revision as of 07:57, 27 October 2024

Inangahua Junction
State Highway 6 passing through Inangahua Junction
State Highway 6 passing through Inangahua Junction
Map
Coordinates: 41°51′27″S 171°57′8″E / 41.85750°S 171.95222°E / -41.85750; 171.95222
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWest Coast
DistrictBuller District
Community boardInangahua Community Board[1]
WardInangahua
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authorityBuller District Council
 • Regional councilWest Coast Regional Council
 • Mayor of BullerJamie Cleine
 • West Coast-Tasman MPMaureen Pugh
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
[2]
 • Total
412.43 km2 (159.24 sq mi)
Population
 (2018 Census)[3]
 • Total
102
 • Density0.25/km2 (0.64/sq mi)

Inangahua is a small settlement in the northwest of New Zealand's South Island. It consists of three settled areas: Inangahua Junction at the confluence of the Inangahua and Buller Rivers, 34 kilometres (21 mi) north of Reefton and 46 kilometres (29 mi) southeast of Westport; Inangahua Landing, 10 km further up the Inangahua River; and Inangahua township, 2 km east of the Junction. Murchison is 52 kilometres (32 mi) further east.[4][5] After the 1968 Inangahua Earthquake, most of the inhabitants left the area or shifted to the township, which is now the population centre and known simply as Inangahua.

Inangahua's main industries include forestry, coal, farming and sawmilling. There is a small primary school, shops, fire station and earthquake museum.

Name

[edit]

The name of the town refers to inanga, the Māori word for whitebait (Galaxias spp.) and hua, the act of drying and preserving them in sealed containers; the river was known for its abundance of fish.[6] Inangahua Junction was formerly known as Christies Junction.

Inangahua Landing

[edit]

Before the construction of the Buller Gorge road, the only way to travel inland from Westport was by river. At the beginning of the West Coast gold rush, mining equipment and quartz-crushing machinery was ferried up the Buller River to its confluence with the Inangahua, then about 10 km up the Inangahua as far as "The Landing", from which it was transported overland south to Reefton. At the height of the gold rush over 1000 prospectors were working in tributaries of the Inangahua.

Earthquake

[edit]
Main article: 1968 Inangahua earthquake

The town was substantially affected by an earthquake on Friday, 24 May 1968. At 5:24 am, the earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck the town, and many landslides and aftershocks followed. The entire population of around 100 was temporarily evacuated. There were no fatalities in the town, but a woman and her visiting mother were killed when the house they were in, along the Inangahua Junction to Westport road, was crushed by a landslide on the cliffs above their house,[7] while a man died near Greymouth when his car hit a section of road on that suddenly subsided on the run-up to a bridge.[8] Another three died days later when a helicopter surveying downed telephone lines crashed.[9]

Demographics

[edit]

Inangahua Junction is in an SA1 statistical area which covers 412.43 km2 (159.24 sq mi).[2] The SA1 area is part of the larger Inangahua statistical area.

Historical population of Inangahua Junction and surrounds
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006159—    
2013144−1.41%
2018102−6.66%
Source: [3]
Rail bridge at Inangahua Landing
Inangahua Junction bridge after the 1968 earthquake

The SA1 area had a population of 102 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 42 people (−29.2%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 57 people (−35.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 51 households, comprising 60 males and 45 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.33 males per female. The median age was 40.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 24 people (23.5%) aged under 15 years, 15 (14.7%) aged 15 to 29, 54 (52.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 12 (11.8%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 85.3% European/Pākehā, 5.9% Māori, 8.8% Asian, and 2.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.8% had no religion, 23.5% were Christian, 8.8% were Hindu and 2.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 21 (26.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $20,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 6 people (7.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 39 (50.0%) people were employed full-time, 12 (15.4%) were part-time, and 3 (3.8%) were unemployed.[3]

Inangahua statistical area

[edit]

Inangahua statistical area, which surrounds but does not include Reefton, covers 3,195.94 km2 (1,233.96 sq mi)[2] and had an estimated population of 1,000 as of June 2024,[10] with a population density of 0.31 people per km2.

Historical population for the statistical area
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006981—    
20131,011+0.43%
2018864−3.09%
Source: [11]

The statistical area had a population of 864 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 147 people (−14.5%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 117 people (−11.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 402 households, comprising 468 males and 396 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.18 males per female. The median age was 42.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 162 people (18.8%) aged under 15 years, 150 (17.4%) aged 15 to 29, 426 (49.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 123 (14.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 91.3% European/Pākehā, 9.4% Māori, 0.7% Pasifika, 3.1% Asian, and 2.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 11.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.9% had no religion, 28.8% were Christian, 1.7% were Hindu and 1.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 48 (6.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 201 (28.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 60 people (8.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 375 (53.4%) people were employed full-time, 108 (15.4%) were part-time, and 21 (3.0%) were unemployed.[11]

Railways

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Inangahua Junction is located on the Stillwater - Westport Line railway, and was intended to be the junction of this line with the never-completed Nelson Section. In 1914, the railway was opened to Inangahua Junction from its former terminus in Cronadun, but subsequent progress through the Buller Gorge was slow. In July 1942, trains began running the full length of the line between Stillwater and Westport, but the line was not officially opened until 5 December 1943. With the commencement of through services, passenger trains were operated by RM class Vulcan railcars, which connected in Stillwater with services that ran along the Midland Line between Greymouth and Christchurch. In 1967, the passenger services ceased, and today, the primary traffic is coal, with multiple coal trains passing through Inangahua Junction daily. Today the town is served by the daily inter city bus between Nelson and Westport.

PHAT Music Festival

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Inangahua was the host of the PHAT New Year's Eve music festivals. PHAT07, PHAT08, PHAT09, PHAT10 (with Australian band Pendulum and NZers Black Seeds, Kora, Salmonella Dub, Tiki and Concord Dawn),[12] PHAT11 featured New Zealand and many international acts. PHAT is held on flat clearings surrounded by native bush on Rough Creek Road, off Browns Creek Road, south of Inangahua and owned by the Storer family. Approximately 5000 people attend the PHAT music festivals, with 48+ hours of continuous performance on two stages.

The milk tanker arrives, Inangahua Junction 1978.

The other annual event held on the Inangahua site was PHAT MOON, a slightly smaller version of the bigger New Year's Eve's event.

PHAT MOON was held over Easter weekend. The music runs for 24 hours, but people are invited to come and camp the night before. This ceased quite a few years ago; the site has returned to being a farm.

Education

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Inangahua Junction School was a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school. The school was in existence in 1887.[13] It closed in 2018.[14]

Inangahua College merged with Reefton School to form Reefton Area School in 2004.[15] The College, which existed for 38 years, replaced the Reefton District High School.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "Buller District Council, New Zealand » Mayor and Councillors". bullerdc.govt.nz. Buller District Council. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7023643.
  4. ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. map 64. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
  5. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. map 141. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  6. ^ Reed, A. W. (1979). The Reed dictionary of New Zealand place names (2002 ed.). Auckland [N.Z.]: Reed. p. 220. ISBN 0-7900-0761-4. OCLC 49290681.
  7. ^ "GeoNet – M 7.1, Inangahua, May 24, 1968". GeoNet. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  8. ^ Callan, John (24 May 1998). "The day the earth moved in Inangahua". Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  9. ^ McIntyre, Brian. "Story: Inangahua Earthquake". West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  10. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Inangahua (309700). 2018 Census place summary: Inangahua
  12. ^ "Phat 10 festival underway". The New Zealand Herald. NZPA. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  13. ^ "Nelson Education Board Exam Schedules - Inangahua Junction 1887-1900".
  14. ^ Mills, Laura (3 August 2018). "West Coast rural school to close". Otago Daily Times.
  15. ^ "School Mergers, Closures and New Schools". Education Counts. 2004. Archived from the original (XLS) on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 24 July 2008.
  16. ^ "District School Reunion" (PDF). 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 May 2010.
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