Kumeu (district)
Kumeu is a small town north-west of
Auckland,
New Zealand.
It is located in the
Auckland Region, 25 kilometres northwest of the Auckland city centre.
MapThe district, with a (2001) population of 5670, was originally settled by immigrants from the
Dalmatian coast of
Croatia, many of whom were part of traditional
winegrowing families. At the 2001 Census, the median income of people in the Kumeu area unit was $23,800, compared with $19,500 for Rodney District and $18,500 for all of New Zealand. The unemployment rate in Kumeu was 3.8 percent, compared with Rodney District percent for 5.1 and 7.5 percent for all of New Zealand. There were 775 business locations (geographic units) in Kumeu. [
1]
Allely House began its long & constantly changing career in 1902. Samuel Dawson Allely built it himself from heart kauri on its original site in Buscomb Avenue, Henderson, about 15 km from its current location. The Selak family moved it to their vineyard in Kumeu. [
2]
Areas surrounding the Kumeu district produce labels such as
Kumeu River,
Cooper's Creek and
Matua Valley, and
Nobilo's have gained a good reputation for their
Chardonnay,
Sauvignon Blanc and
Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The wine growing district is the main industry in both Kumeu itself and the smaller nearby settlements of Huapai and Waimauku.
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Kumeu River Wines "was established in 1944 when Mick and Katé Brajkovich and their son Maté first came to the small country settlement of [Kumeu.."[
3]
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Coopers Creek "It was here, in 1980, that Andrew and Cynthia Hendry first established the Coopers Creek winery.." [
4]
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Landmark Estate "One of New Zealand's early wineries, Landmark Estate was founded in 1937 by Steve Vitasovich, an immigrant from Croatia, who arrived in Auckland late in the 1920s."[
5]
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Matua Valley*
NobilosThe area is also popular for lifestyle block farming and equestrian pursuits. The Kumeu Agricultural and Horticultural Society hosts one of the largest annual
shows in the
Southern Hemisphere on 34 hectares (80acres) of land owned by the Kumeu District Agricultural & Horticultural Society, on the second weekend in March every year. The nearby localities of Woodhill forest and
Muriwai Beach means it has strong recreational interests.
* Bushwalking. "Goldie's Bush, just a few minutes up the road offers a fascinating walk amongst real New Zealand native bush. Numerous kauri trees overlook your progress as you criss-cross Mokoroa stream." [
6]
* Astronomy. An astronomical observatory has existed in various forms in Kumeu for about 20 years. The dark sky has recently prompted formation of a new observing group, called JOG.[
7]
* Surfing. "The beach between Papakanui Spit at the entrance to the
Kaipara Harbour in the north to Toaraerae (Flat Rock) some 40km south was known as Te One Rangatira (The Chiefly Beach), Up until the 1920's the area was known as Motutara which means ‘Island of sea Birds'." "On July 30th 1948 George Hilton lead the Muriwai beach Surf Life Saving Club formation with 19 foundation members." "In August 1956 purchasing an Australian surf boat started a tradition that lasting to the present day." [
8]
* Radio. "Judith Holland ZL1AWM - first licensed in March 1958 and one of the initial 7 YLs (radio code for 'woman') who met in Rotorua on March 10 1962 to initiate the club as it is today. She was
WARO's (NZ Womens Amateur Radio Operators) longest licensed member. With transfers around the country Judith changed callsign from ZL1AMW to ZL2BHV and then ZL3AGE before 'reclaiming' her original callsign on retirement to Kumeu, north of Auckland. Graduating from
Victoria University with a science degree and using her knowledge as a teacher, later became Chief Examiner for the School Certificate physics examination." [
9]
* Fishing.
* Birdwatching.
Since 1948 Kumeu has had a brass band, competing in many events, and playing in parades, concerts & private Functions, traditional & modern music for all occasions.[
10]
Nor-West News, 21st July 2005,
Nor-West News,April 28th 2005, Helensville Anzac Day Parade.
The
North Auckland railway line passes through Kumeu, and for six years, the town was the terminus of the isolated
Kumeu-Riverhead Section railway. This line linked Kumeu to Riverhead, where ferries ran to Auckland, and it operated from
1875 until
1881. In 1881, the North Auckland Line reached Kumeu, making the town a railway junction. This status lasted a mere five days; the new railway from Auckland made the line to Riverhead redundant and it was accordingly closed.
Maori place names;
* Huapai â€" good fruit
* Kumeu â€" - pulling the breast (action used to incite a war party)
* Muriwai â€" - backwater or junction of streams[
11]
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Kumeu Brass Band Official Site*
Kumeu District - The Fruit Bowl of Auckland*
History of Henderson pdf*
Kumeu Vineyard*
Kumeu Community portal
