Whataroa is a small township in southern Westland on the West Coast of New Zealand'sSouth Island. It is located on the western bank of the Whataroa River, with the village of Te Taho on the other side. State Highway 6 passes through Whataroa on its route from Ross to the Franz Josef Glacier. Hari Hari is to the north-east, and Franz Josef is 32 km to the south-west. The population of Whataroa and its surrounding area was 288 in the 2013 census, a decrease of 117 from 2006. Whataroa is located in an agricultural area where dairying is the primary activity. The town contains establishments such as a school, two churches, and a Māori craft gallery. It is also a staging base for trips to a white heron sanctuary that is the only breeding location of white heron in New Zealand. Te Taho, a small farming community, is located north of Whataroa on State Highway 6. It once included a maternity hospital and a number of schools.
Attractions
Whataroa hosts the South Westland A&P Show annually in February. Founded in 1951, events include equestrian competitions, dairy cattle judging, dog trials, trade displays and various family entertainment. The Woodham Shield is an annual rugby competition in which Whataroa and neighboring towns, Franz- Fox- Haast, Hari Hari and Ross, compete against each other for possession of the shield.
History
Whataroa was the site of cattle sales twice a year from 1875, serving farmers from around South Westland. The last mob of cattle was driven to Whataroa in 1961. A dairy factory was established at Whataroa before World War I.
Education
Whataroa School is a coeducational full primary school, with a decile rating of 7 and a roll of. The school was established in 1879 and celebrated its 125th reunion in 2004.
Hydrothermal activity
Whataroa sits on the Alpine Fault, a seismically active area. In 2017 scientists reported they had discovered beneath Whataroa "extreme" hydrothermal activity which "could be commercially very significant".
