Orini is a rural community in the Waikato District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located east of Taupiri

Orini is centred around a community hall which was opened in 1913, which was rebuilt in 1937 following a fire. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} It also has a school, which had 81 pupils in 1939. ^{[5] [6]}

A post office opened in 1907. ^[7] A creamery was running in 1911. ^{[8] [9]} A cheese factory opened in 1915, ^[10] and was still operating in 1932. ^[11] The stream bridge between Orini and Whitikahu was built in 1938. ^[12] By 1950 the Orini telephone exchange had 123 subscribers. ^[13]

The Mangawara area to the west was a Kauri gum digging area until 1983. It also had a creamery and a post office by 1910. ^{[14] [15]}

Te Hoe, to the north, had a school between 1912 and 1995. ^[16] It had a post office and store and still has a hall, which was built in 1957. ^{[1] [14]}

History

From the 1600s: Ngati Koura and Ngati Wairere Waikai occupied the area, mainly for eel fishing. ^[17] An old waka was discovered in 1937. ^[18]

After the invasion of the Waikato, the area was confiscated in 1863 ^[19] and cut up into lots for the military settlers, though deemed too swampy for occupation. ^[20]

Flax was milled in the area from 1890 until a 1908 fire and again from 1918. ^[17] A new Orini mill opened in 1936 ^[21] and flax was still being grown in 1938, when there was another fire. ^[22] The drained peat has also caught fire from time to time. ^{[23] [24]}

Electricity came in 1928. ^[25] A hall was built ^[26] and a bus service to Hamilton, started in 1937 ^[27] and was still running in 1964 ^[28] and into the 1970s. ^[29]

Education

Orini had a school by 1912. ^[30] It was replaced with Orini Combined School, formed from a merger of Orini, Te Hoe, Netherby and Mangawara schools. ^[5]

It is now a co-educational state primary school, ^{[31] [32]} with a roll of 89 as of February 2024. ^[33]

References

External links

• Mangawara Stream water level

37°33′20″S 175°18′30″E / 37.55556°S 175.30833°E / -37.55556; 175.30833