| Kaeo | |
| Other Name: | Kāeo (Māori) |
| Motto: | Small town, big spirit |
| Area Total Km2: | 1.39 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Northland Region |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Far North District |
| Subdivision Type3: | Ward |
| Subdivision Name3: | Bay of Islands-Whangaroa |
| Subdivision Type4: | Community |
| Subdivision Name4: | Bay of Islands-Whangaroa |
| Subdivision Type5: | Subdivision |
| Subdivision Name5: | Whangaroa |
| Leader Title: | Territorial Authority |
| Leader Name: | Far North District Council |
| Leader Title1: | Regional council |
| Leader Name1: | Northland Regional Council |
| Leader Title2: | Mayor of Far North |
| Leader Title3: | Northland MP |
| Leader Title4: | Te Tai Tokerau MP |
| Seat Type: | Electorates |
| Coordinates: | -35.1°N 220°W |
| Postal Code Type: | Postcode |
| Postal Code: | 0478 |
Kaeo (Māori: Kāeo) is a township in the Far North District of New Zealand, located some 22km (14miles) northwest of Kerikeri. The town's name comes from the Māori-language name of the New Zealand freshwater mussel, which is found in nearby rivers.
Sanfords Fishery factory, one of the main employers in Kaeo, closed in December 2011.[1]
A new bridge on across the Kaio River was opened in February 2024 to reduce queuing and improve traffic safety.[2] [3]
Kaeo used to be a fortified village pā of the Ngati Uru sub-tribe. This tribe arrived in the Whangaroa Harbour as late as 1770–1775, having been driven out of the Rawhiti area of the Bay of Islands, after killing and eating Captain Marion du Fresne and his crew.[4]
Wesleydale, the first Wesleyan Methodist mission in New Zealand, was established by Samuel Leigh and William White at Kaeo in June 1823, then abandoned in 1827 after it was sacked by local Māori.[5] A memorial cairn marks the site of the mission adjacent to the cemetery on the south side of the Kaeo River.
Kaeo is built on the flood plain of the Kaeo River and has experienced destructive flooding. It came to national attention in 2007 when it took the brunt of three major floods within the space of a few months - in February, March and July. Water flooded homes and shops and destroyed the primary school's pool complex. The local rugby clubrooms also suffered, and the club received support from the whole country as it raised funds to lift the clubrooms off the ground to minimise the risk of damage from further flooding.[6]
Landslips, fallen power lines, and road closures resulted from heavy rain in February 2008. The Northland Regional Council scheduled flood-protection work for 2008, but in 2011 was still waiting on various consents.[7] Floods occurred as a result of Cyclone Wilma in January 2011, and 70 people had to be evacuated from Kaeo.[8]
The Kaeo Post Office is a wooden Edwardian building constructed in 1912. The building served many additional functions until it closed in May 1989 following the Fourth Labour Government's economic reforms. It was refurbished in 2012 and as of 2020 operates as a community centre and library.[9]
The Kaeo area has two marae affiliated with multiple iwi:
There are two marae affiliated with Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa hapū:
There are seven marae affiliated with Ngāpuhi / Ngāti Kahu ki Whaingaroa hapū:
Statistics New Zealand describes Kāeo as a rural settlement. It covers 1.39km2 and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Kaeo statistical area.
Kāeo had a population of 249 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 21 people (9.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 69 people (38.3%) since the 2013 census. There were 135 males and 114 females in 84 dwellings.[13] 1.2% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 32.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 72 people (28.9%) aged under 15 years, 36 (14.5%) aged 15 to 29, 105 (42.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 36 (14.5%) aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 50.6% European (Pākehā), 73.5% Māori, 9.6% Pasifika, and 1.2% Asian. English was spoken by 95.2%, Māori language by 19.3%, and other languages by 1.2%. No language could be spoken by 2.4% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 6.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 20.5% Christian and 14.5% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 56.6%, and 7.2% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (5.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 105 (59.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 60 (33.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $29,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (3.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 72 (40.7%) people were employed full-time, 24 (13.6%) were part-time, and 9 (5.1%) were unemployed.[14]
Kāeo statistical area covers 255.56km2[15] and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.
Kāeo statistical area had a population of 1,299 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 108 people (9.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 294 people (29.3%) since the 2013 census. There were 681 males, 615 females and 3 people of other genders in 438 dwellings.[16] 1.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 44.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 276 people (21.2%) aged under 15 years, 180 (13.9%) aged 15 to 29, 600 (46.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 240 (18.5%) aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 67.0% European (Pākehā); 51.5% Māori; 6.0% Pasifika; 1.6% Asian; 0.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.5%, Māori language by 15.2%, Samoan by 0.2% and other languages by 5.1%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 12.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 22.6% Christian, 0.2% Hindu, 8.8% Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% Buddhist, 0.9% New Age, and 0.7% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.0%, and 6.2% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 93 (9.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 582 (56.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 315 (30.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $27,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 27 people (2.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 387 (37.8%) people were employed full-time, 135 (13.2%) were part-time, and 33 (3.2%) were unemployed.[17]
Whangaroa College, a coeducational secondary (years 7-15) school, has a roll of students as of The principal since 2015 is Jack Anderson.
Kaeo School, a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school, has a roll of students as of The school dates from 1877; it moved to its current site some years later. In 1941 it became Kaeo District High School, taking both primary and secondary students. After the opening of Whangaroa College in 1969, Kaeo School became a primary school.[18] The current principal is Paul Barker.