View source for Kaimai Range

{{Short description|Mountain range in North Island of New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox mountain
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| photo             = KaimaiPICT6700.jpg
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| photo_alt         = The Kaimai Range
| photo_caption     = Kaimai Range with communications towers
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| map_caption       = Approximate extent of Kaimai Range
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| elevation         = 
| elevation_m       = 953
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| coordinates       = {{coord|-37.533654|175.742412|region:NZ_type:mountain_source:GNS-enwiki|display=inline, title}}
| coordinates_ref   = <ref name="NZTopMap"/>
| topo              = 
| type              = Mostly andestic and some rhyolitic formations
| age               = Between 5.5 million (some volcanic features) with major uplift between 1 million and 150 thousand years ago{{fossil range|5.5|0.15}}
| geology           = Predominantly [[andesite]] and [[rhyolite]] volcanics
| volcanic_arc      = [[Coromandel Volcanic Zone]]
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| last_eruption     = 1.53 million years ago
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| easiest_route     = [[State Highway 29 (New Zealand)]] (North-South track, Hendersons Tramline, Ngamuwahine track)<ref name="NZTopMap"/>
| normal_route      = [[State Highway 2 (New Zealand)]] (Mount Karangahake Walk, Waitawheta Pipeline Walk and most eastern tracks)<ref name="NZTopMap"/>
| access            = As well as above [[State Highway 26 (New Zealand)]] (Te Arohoa track), Te Arohoa Gordon Road, Old Te Arohoa Road (Te Tuhi track) and [[State Highway 24 (New Zealand)]]<ref name="NZTopMap"/>
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The '''Kaimai Range''' (sometimes referred to as the ''Kaimai Ranges'') is a mountain range in the [[North Island]] of New Zealand.  It is part of a series of ranges, with the [[Coromandel Range]] to the north and the [[Mamaku Ranges]] to the south. The Kaimai Range separates the [[Waikato]] in the west from the [[Bay of Plenty]] in the east.

The highest point of the range is Mount Te Aroha (953 m), at the foot of which is the town of [[Te Aroha]].<ref name="NZTopMap">[https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap?v=2&ll=-37.533654,175.742412&z=14 NZTopoMap Te Aroha]</ref> The range's terrain is rough, and only two roads pass over it: [[New Zealand State Highway 2|State Highway 2]], across the northern end of the range through [[Karangahake Gorge]], and [[New Zealand State Highway 29|State Highway 29]] from [[Tauranga]] to [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]]. Mt Te Aroha can be described as the northern head peak of the Kaimai Range.

The New Zealand [[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]] gives a translation of "eat fermented food" for ''Kaimāī''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/maori-language-week/1000-maori-place-names|title=1000 Māori place names|publisher=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage|date=6 August 2019}}</ref>

The Kaimai Ranges feature in local Māori folklore. The name Te Aroha translates from Māori as Te - The & Aroha  - Love. Literally "the love". The name comes from a Māori legend that the sun god - male - loved the moon goddess - female. They never could see each another due to the planets positions. One day the moon goddess came to earth to see the sun god, knowing the risks, was turned to stone as the daylight came. Hers was the ultimate expression of love: Te Aroha in Māori. This is why on the Kaimai Range, to the right of Mt Te Aroha is a high skyline silhouetted rock that from afar is shaped as a woman. It is known locally as the rock of Hinemoa.

Within the Kaimai Ranges the Hendersons Tramline loop track follows the route of bush tramlines and haul lines once used to extract logs from the bush. The walk includes forest and clearings near the fringe of the park. A side track off the main walk leads down to the base of a waterfall and a large swimming hole.
Also some 10–16&nbsp;km, on the Gordon backroad from te Aroha is a four-wheel drive track named Thomsons track, that takes venturers from the foothills around manawaru to the ranges top, where a large swimming hole is present.

==Geology and history==
The Kaimai Range is the result of a fault that uplifted primarily [[andesite|andesitic]] rocks from long-extinct volcanoes. This fault has not been active for about 140,000 years and started more than a million years ago. In pre-European times, the area was densely forested by trees such as [[kauri]], [[Prumnopitys taxifolia|mataī]] and [[Beilschmiedia tawa|tawa]], and was a home for birds such as [[kererū]], [[tūī]], [[New Zealand kaka|kākā]] and [[Kiwi (bird)|kiwi]].<ref name="Prickett1990">{{Cite Q|Q58677392}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Q|Q58677411}}</ref>

==Demographics==
Kaimai statistical area, which does not include the entire range, covers {{Convert|327.89|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised)|access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Kaimai|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Kaimai|y}}|R}}/327.89|1}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Historical populations|2006|1,701|2013|1,752|2018|2,028|2023|2,148|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Kaimai (191400)|kaimai|Kaimai}}</ref>}}
[[Image:Kaimai Ranges.jpg|thumb|360px|Kaimai Range forms a backdrop to [[Tauranga Harbour]]]]
Kaimai had a population of 2,148 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 120 people (5.9%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 396 people (22.6%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 1,101 males, 1,038 females, and 6 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 705 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.191400.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 1.7% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 41.8 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 414 people (19.3%) aged under 15 years, 351 (16.3%) aged 15 to 29, 1,077 (50.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 306 (14.2%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 92.3% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 15.1% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 2.2% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 2.7% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 0.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.8%, Māori by 3.2%, and other languages by 5.3%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 15.5, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Religious affiliations were 24.7% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.3% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.3% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 0.8% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.3% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.8% [[New Age]], 0.3% [[Judaism in New Zealand|Jewish]], and 1.4% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 63.4%, and 8.5% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 303 (17.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,062 (61.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 360 (20.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $45,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 222 people (12.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 981 (56.6%) full-time, 276 (15.9%) part-time, and 36 (2.1%) unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.191400.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Kaimai (191400)}}</ref>

==Kaimai Tunnel==
The [[Kaimai Tunnel|Kaimai Railway Tunnel]] runs for nearly nine kilometres under the range, making it the longest tunnel in New Zealand. Construction of the tunnel started from both sides of the range in 1969: the headings met in 1976 and the tunnel opened on 12 September 1978. The Kaimai Range and this tunnel led to a [[NZR RM class (Silver Fern)|Silver Fern]] [[railcar]] service between Auckland and Tauranga being named the [[Kaimai Express (train)|Kaimai Express]]. This service operated from 1991 until 2001.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/33569-passenger-trains-more-tempting.html|title=Passenger trains more tempting|newspaper=[[SunLive]]|date=19 October 2012|first=Zoe|last=Hunter}}</ref> The tunnel is still used by about 20 freight trains a day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engineeringnz.org/programmes/heritage/heritage-records/kaimai-tunnel/|title=Kaimai Tunnel|publisher=Engineering New Zealand|date=31 October 2022|first=L W|last=Jones}}</ref>

A peak of the Kaimai directly above the tunnel, previously unnamed, was named Stokes Peak in 2010 in honour of geographer [[Evelyn Stokes]].<ref>[http://www.linz.govt.nz/placenames/consultation-decisions/a-to-z/stokes-peak/index.aspx Stokes Peak] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110085701/http://www.linz.govt.nz/placenames/consultation-decisions/a-to-z/stokes-peak/index.aspx |date=2014-01-10 }}, [[Land Information New Zealand]], retrieved 2010-09-09.</ref>

==Flight 441 disaster==
At approximately 9:09 am on 3 July 1963 the [[DC-3]] Skyliner ZK-AYZ Hastings operating [[New Zealand National Airways Corporation Flight 441]] from [[Whenuapai Airport]], [[Auckland]] to Tauranga crashed into the range. All 23 aboard died, making it the worst air disaster in mainland New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10545462|title=New Zealand's worst air disasters |date=28 November 2008|publisher=New Zealand Herald|access-date=2009-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19630703-0|title=Accident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=2009-01-21}}</ref>

==Communications==
The [[New Zealand Post Office]] engineering division (radio) built and maintained a [[microwave communications]] facility near the top of Kaimai range, close to the [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]]–[[Tauranga]] highway saddle. In the 1960s it was a [[Lenkurt]] relay as part of the national network, linking [[Sanitorium Hill]] near [[Cambridge, New Zealand|Cambridge]] to [[Rotorua]], with a spur to Tauranga. It now has cell phone and various other radio communications facilities, and is owned and operated by [[Telecom New Zealand]]. Land Parcel: Part Section 126 Block II Tapapa SD [http://www.mpdc.govt.nz/PoliciesPlans/districtplan/districtplan.6.htm]

The New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (NZBC) commissioned a television [[broadcast relay station]] atop Mount Te Aroha in 1963, relaying Auckland's AKTV2 channel (now part of [[TVNZ 1]]) to Hamilton and Tauranga.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 June 1967 |title=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |volume=351 |page=1394 |publisher=New Zealand Parliament}}</ref> Today, Mount Te Aroha is the main television transmitter and one of two main FM radio transmitters (along with Ruru) serving the Waikato.

[[Airways New Zealand]] maintains a [[Secondary Surveillance Radar|secondary surveillance radar]] and [[Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast|ADS-B]] installation on ''Te Weraiti'', a peak on the Kaimai range, 5 kilometers north of the State Highway 29 saddle. This is used to facilitate [[air traffic control]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ENR 1.6 - ATS Surveillance Services and Procedures |url=https://www.aip.net.nz/assets/AIP/En-route-ENR/1-GENERAL-RULES-AND-PROCEDURES/ENR_1.06.pdf |access-date=20 August 2022 |website=Aeronautical Information Publication New Zealand}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Tunnels in New Zealand]]
* [[Matamata-Piako District]]
* [[Western Bay of Plenty District]]
* [[Ohinemuri River]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Kaimai Range}}
* [http://www.kaimaibush.co.nz/ Kaimai Bush]
* [http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Kids/NZDisasters/ZK-AYZ_Hastings.asp DC3 Airliner Crash]
* [http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/T/TunnelsRailAndRoad/KaimaiRailwayTunnel/en Rail Tunnel]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120926131742/http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/about-doc/concessions-and-permits/conservation-revealed/kaimai-mamaku-forest-lowres.pdf Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park]

{{Matamata-Piako District}}

{{South Waikato District}}

{{Western Bay of Plenty District}}

[[Category:Mountain ranges of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Landforms of the Bay of Plenty Region]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Waikato]]
[[Category:Ngāti Hinerangi]]
[[Category:Matamata-Piako District]]
[[Category:Western Bay of Plenty District]]