Warkworth, New Zealand

One of the most prominent features of Warkworth is the Mahurangi River, an estuary which runs right through the township, where it then joins the Mahurangi Harbour and flows into the Hauraki Gulf.

On the eastern side of the river is the Mahurangi East peninsula, with the seaside towns of Snells Beach and Algies Bay. It is here that the scenic Kawau Island is found, notable for its historic Mansion House, once the private retreat of Governor Grey.

East of Warkworth and north of Mahurangi East lies the Tawharanui Peninsula, home of the Tawharanui Regional Park and Tawharanui Marine Park. To the north is the town of Wellsford, with the thickly forested Dome Valley lying in between. On the west coast lies the Kaipara Harbour, while to the south is the small historic township of Puhoi and further south the larger town of Orewa.

Warkworth (comprising the statistical areas of Warkworth West and Warkworth East) had a population of 5,586 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,317 people (30.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 2,124 people (61.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 2,085 households. There were 2,709 males and 2,877 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.94 males per female, with 1,002 people (17.9%) aged under 15 years, 888 (15.9%) aged 15 to 29, 2,151 (38.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,545 (27.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 86.5% European/Pākehā, 9.3% Māori, 6.7% Pacific peoples, 5.6% Asian, and 1.8% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 27.4%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 48.5% had no religion, 40.0% were Christian, and 4.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 816 (17.8%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 843 (18.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,980 (43.2%) people were employed full-time, 702 (15.3%) were part-time, and 81 (1.8%) were unemployed.[7]

Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies its climate as oceanic (Cfb),[8] but it is rainier in winter.

Mahurangi Harbour

Tawharanui Regional Park

Wilson Portland Cement Works

The area at the head of the Mahurangi River was known by Māori as Puhinui.[9]

Warkworth, previously known as Browns Mill,[10][11] was founded in 1853 by John Anderson Brown (born Newcastle upon Tyne), who named it after the village of Warkworth, Northumberland, where one of his relatives had taught for many years. In 1853 the government finished surveying the district and began to offer the land for sale. John Anderson Brown purchased 153 acres (0.62 km²) of land and his daughter Amelia purchased a further 81 acres (330,000 m²). He then surveyed the land into allotments where the well known streets such as Lilburn, Alnwick, Neville, and Bertram were named. Six months later in May 1854 the allotments were offered for sale in The New Zealander, an Auckland Newspaper.[11] Bridge House Lodge, established on the site of John Anderson Brown's home next door to the Warkworth Bridge, is the oldest surviving building in Warkworth.[12] Early industry included logging of kauri and other timbers, flour milling and boat-building.

The first portland cement manufacturing works in the southern hemisphere, Wilson's Cement Company, was established near the town in 1884.[11] It closed its doors in 1928 during the depression years. The ruins still remain and the mine is now a popular local fresh water swimming hole.

In 1883 the Masonic Hall was built and up until 1911 served as a public hall until a dedicated building was constructed on the corner of Alnwick and Neville streets. Across the road on the opposite corner the new post office was built the same year and was furnished with a telephone exchange within 12 months of being open.[11][13]

In 1922 Stubbs Butchery first opened and took over the site on Wharf Street that once housed Bowen's Store, the first commercial premises to be built in the 1860s.[11]

At the end of the 1930s came WWII, and although Warkworth escaped the physical devastation it became host to thousands of military men from America. There were 25 military camps which sprung up around the towns farmlands. They carried out exercises prior to being sent to the Pacific Campaigns. They were well received by the community.[14][15]

Warkworth was part of the Rodney District during its existence from 1989 to 2010.

Warkworth has several sister towns including:

• Warkworth, Northumberland (Town founder John Anderson Brown named Warkworth after his former home in England)
• Furudono, Fukushima (Furudono is a sister school of Mahurangi College and Warkworth Primary School located in Honshū, Japan)
• Warkworth, Ontario (This town in Canada was sistered in 2003)

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Warkworth (New Zealand).

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Warkworth, New Zealand.

• Statistics New Zealand's profile of Warkworth (2001 Census)