Before the start of the 20th century,  natural wetlands extended across much of the land from the Waihou river to the west of where Waitakaruru now stands.  Drainage and reclamation schemes were started around 1908, and by 1910, the first land ballots were held, opening up Kopuarahi for settlement.

In those early days, Kopuarahi was isolated between two rivers with launches and ferries providing transport to the outside world. The first house was built in 1912, followed a year later by a Post Office.  Roads were gradually constructed and in 1915 a steam locomotive was used to haul road metal from the ferry site at Orongo.

A dairy factory opened in 1916 and the school in 1917.  By the 1920s, Kopuarahi was well established as a rural community.  Motor cars became more common, tennis and hockey clubs started, electricity and rural mail services reached the district and a new two room school, doubling as a community centre, was built.  In 1928, Kopuarahi became less isolated when the new Kopu Bridge opened.

Further developments followed through the 1930s and 40s including tar sealing of the 'Kopuarahi straight' in 1938 and completion of water supply to the district by 1939.  During the war years, local efforts built a swimming pool at the school and started the first calf club.

Completion of the Pipiroa Bridge in 1955, further opened up Kopuarahi to the outside world. A year later, an era ended when the dairy factory closed and milk tankers were used for the first time to collect milk from farms and deliver it to a distant factory for processing.

all pictures from Kopuarahi School and District 1910 - 1987

 

 

 

 

History of Kopuarahi

Swampy plains, untouched for thousands of years.
Drained by the government and balloted for new farmland.
Isolated, small and draughty first homes for the Kopuarahi pioneers.
 

Dusty, bumpy, muddy and unsealed roads
River crossings by ferry, punt , waka and small craft.

Kids walk to school on ground covered in thick fog.
Cross the cold Piako River on unsafe punt to Pipiroa School.
Mr D.J. O'Carroll pressures government to build Kopuarahi School
so children don't have to risk their lives by crossing the river.

Farmers take milk by truck and horse and cart to the Kopuarahi Cheese Factory.
Cheese is sold to England in crates made from Kahikatea trees.

Wealth slowly emerges after years of hard work.
People begin to build bigger homes, buy cars and improve their lifestyle.

(Written by the children of Kopuarahi School, 2003)