. Whangamomona .

This area is dominated by steep sandstone, greywacke and mudstone hills and winding valleys. Much of the steep and isolated hill country is in native or exotic forestry. The remainder of the district is in sheep and/or beef pastoral farming.

Much of the eastern hill country falls within the catchment of the Patea River and its tributaries. However, to the north the district takes in Waitara River and its tributaries, including the Makara, Makino, Matau, Mangapapa and Mangaowata catchments. At its northernmost point the district also includes the Mt Damper Stream and its associated swamp and falls, which feed into the Tongaporutu River.

 

In the east the district takes in the Whangamomona River catchment, and also most of the Tangarakau River catchment, both of which feed into the Whanganui River. This area is separated from the west by the densely forested Whangamomona Saddle, making it an isolated and distinctive part of the district, and the area once had its own county council.

 

In 1989 regional council boundaries were redrawn, with an emphasis on connected catchments. These revised maps made Whangamomona part of the Manawatu-Wanganui Region. Residents objected, as they wanted to continue being part of the Taranaki Region, and on 1 November 1989, they responded by declaring themselves the "Republic of Whangamomona" at the first Republic Day. Though the move began as a pointed protest, the town continued to hold a celebratory Republic Day once a year, during which a vote for President is held. The day has become a local festival day, and attracts visitors from throughout the North Island. In 2001, the celebration became biennial, held in January to take advantage of the summer weather.

History

The first settlers arrived in 1895, with the town proper established some 2 years later. Growth of the town was seriously affected by the loss of 51 men (including the smaller nearby settlements of Kohuratahi and Tahora) in the First World War and a major flood in 1924. The town recovered with arrival of the railway line in 1933 and electrification in 1959. However the town went into decline again and the school closed in 1979, followed 9 years later by the post office.

 Sections became available at Whangamomona in 1897–98. A boarding house and a general store were established and a post office and other services followed. The present hotel is a 1911 replacement of the original, which burned down in 1905.

The Whangamomona County Council was set up in 1908. In 1955 it amalgamated with Stratford County. In the second half of the 20th century all the communities in the valley gradually declined. The school was closed in 1979 and the post office in 1988.

Statistics

A small township in the Stratford District. It lies on State Highway 43, the "Forgotten World Highway", 65 kilometres north-east of Stratford and 55 kilometres south-west of Ohura

Population

 126 in the 2018 census, 2013 district population of 150.

Weather

Average temperature 12°C
Average rainfall 1861mm

marco school

Marco School

Primary

Marco School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1-8) with a decile rating of 8 and a roll of 14.The school opened on 21 March 1898. Until November 1905, it was known as Upper Whangamomona School.

whanga repubilic

Republic Day

Festival

https://www.facebook.com/WhangamomonaRepublicDay2013

A referendum to decide if the rebel republic, which broke away from mainstream New Zealand in 1989, will return to the civic clutches of an adjoining region is being run as part of the biennial republic day this Saturday.

The republic was formed when a round of local body reform gave Whangamomona to WhanganuiManawatu, raising the ire of the locals, who liked being part of Taranaki.

‘‘David Walter, who was Stratford’s mayor then, told us: ‘You’re all revolting, so you may as well revolt,’ so we did,’’ said republic committee secretary Gayleen Copplestone.

‘‘We’re asking if we should make a push to return, or should we tell them both to stick it?’’ The likely answer was pretty predictable.

The formalities also included the presidential election, which was generally unpredictable. The formalities are a small part of a day full of ‘‘the usual range’’ of country-style entertainment – an all-day waterslide, sheep races, dog trials, gumboot-throwing, possum skinning and a range of stalls, plus food and drink and a few Whanga-style specialities.

Golf Carts

Golf Carts on Rail

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaibFM-qM2Y

The ultimate way to explore rural New Zealand. In a self driven Rail Cart or on our new Rail Bike, travel along a decommissioned railway line through tunnels and over bridges to townships that have faded into the past.

Following ancient Maori pathways and built on colonial bridle paths formed late in the 19th century, the Forgotten World landscape is remote and mysterious. Explore a history unique to New Zealand, with stories and experiences that are truly unforgettable.