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| Leigh | ||
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  Leigh
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| Territorial Authority |
Name | Leigh |
| Regional Council |
Auckland | |
Leigh is a small coastal community in the north of the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It lies on the west side of Omaha Cove, a small inlet within Omaha Bay to the south of Cape Rodney. It is 13km from Matakana, 21km from Warkworth and approximately 92km north of Auckland City. It is most noted for being the nearest town to Goat Island Marine Reserve the first of its type in New Zealand. The reserve is also the location for the University of Auckland's Marine Laboratory.[1]
In the 2006 New Zealand Census, the population of the area between Pakiri and Whangateau (including those communities and Leigh, Mathesons Bay and Ti Point) was 1077, with 432 occupied dwellings.[2]
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Recreation
The Leigh district provides several venues for rugby, golf, touch rugby, soccer and other sports. The Rodney district's rugby team, the "Rodney Rams", is based at Whangateau with clubrooms at Whangateau Reserve. The reserve is also used for local touch rugby tournaments.
There are a number of beaches close to Leigh including Omaha, Goat Island, Whangateau and Pakiri. There are also numerous fishing spots and seafood hunting areas. Goat Island Marine Reserve provides several organised features including scenic marine observations, glass-bottom boat trips and scuba-diving; fishing is strictly prohibited.
"Daniel's Reef" is the most well known surfing spot in the Leigh area.
Newspapers
The Leigh community newspaper is the Leigh Rag. The Mahurangi Local Matters and Rodney Times newspapers are also delivered in the area.
Education
Leigh School is the local primary school. The adjacent Leigh Community Preschool[3] accepts children from age 6 months to 5 years. The two schools work together to provide a seamless, minimally stressful transition for children entering school. Leigh Primary roll is typically between 50 and 100 students. A large number of children living in Leigh attend the much larger Matakana Primary, 10km distant. Homeschooling is also popular in the Leigh area.
High school students are served by Mahurangi College in Warkworth and Rodney College in Wellsford. There are no intermediate schools in the Greater Warkworth District, therefore The Ministry of Education has referred intermediate students to the nearby colleges.
Festivals and events
The Leigh School Carnival[4] is held every Easter Sunday at the Primary School. The Leigh Volunteer Fire Brigade hosts an annual fishing competition.
Industry
Leigh is primarily a fishing village. It exports fresh fish both nationally and internationally. The Leigh Fish and Chips shop is well-known for the quality of its offerings.
References
- ^ Wises New Zealand Guide, 7th Edition, 1979. p.200.
- ^ Diana Solomon, Policy/Planner for Rodney District Council, in private correspondence, 24 April 2007
- ^ http://www.leighpre.co.nz
- ^ Leigh Primary School Easter Carnival
External links
- Goat Island Marine Reserve
- Glass Bottom Boat
- Detailed map
- Leigh Primary School
- Mahurangi College, North Auckland
- Rodney College, North Auckland
- Business Association Leigh Webpage (Leigh by the Sea)
