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| Runanga | |
  Runanga
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | West Coast |
| District | Grey District |
| Population (2006) | |
| - Total | 1,221 |
Runanga is a small town on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located ten kilometres to the northwest of Greymouth, to the north of the Grey River. Barrytown is 21 kilometres further north. State Highway 6 runs through the town.[1][2]
The population of Runanga and its surrounds, including the separate settlement of Rapahoe to the north-west, was 1,221 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 84 from 2001.[3].
The town's origins can be traced back to European colonisation in the late 19th century, when large numbers of settlers came to work the local coal fields. The town's name is Maori for meeting place.[4] Coal mining is still the main employer of the town.
Several books have been written about this small town, the most recent of which was "Runanga, Home of Champions" compiled by Jack Ewen, ISBN 0-473-10460-1, printed in 2005.
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Notable people
- James O'Brien, Labour MP for Westland 1922-25 and 1928-1947 and Minister of Transport and Marine during the First Labour Government, lived and worked in Runanga from 1906 for about ten years.[5]
- Bob Semple, Minister of Public Works in the First Labour Government, was President of the Runanga Miner's Union in 1907.[6]
- Paddy Webb, Minister of Mines in the First Labour Government, worked in the Runanga mine about 1906.[7]
Education
Runanga School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 3 and a roll of 103.[8]
Notes
- ^ Peter Dowling (editor) (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books, map 69. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
- ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton, map 148. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
- ^ "Final counts – census night and census usually resident populations, and occupied dwellings - Grey District". Statistics New Zealand.
- ^ "Runanga". Encyclopedia of New Zealand (1966).
- ^ "O'Brien, James". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.
- ^ "SEMPLE, Hon. Robert". Encyclopedia of New Zealand (1966).
- ^ "Webb, Patrick Charles". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.
- ^ "Te Kete Ipurangi - Runanga School". Ministry of Education.
External links
