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Tokanui, Southland

Coordinates: 46°33′54″S 168°56′42″E / 46.565°S 168.945°E / -46.565; 168.945
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Tokanui
Village
Tokanui in 1956
Tokanui in 1956
Map
Coordinates: 46°33′54″S 168°56′42″E / 46.565°S 168.945°E / -46.565; 168.945
CountryNew Zealand
RegionSouthland
DistrictSouthland District
WardOreti Ward
CommunityWaihopai Toetoe
Electorates
Elevation
47 m (154 ft)
Population
 (2013 Census)
 • Territorial
111
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)

Tokanui is a community in the eastern portion of Southland District Council, located on the Southern Scenic Route about 56 km (35 mi) east of Invercargill and 107 km (66 mi) southwest of Balclutha, New Zealand.[1] The Tokanui River runs just to the north of the village[2] and occasionally floods the lower parts,[3] as it did when the railway yard flooded in 1935.[4]

Tokanui has a fire station,[5] public halls, school, store, garage, pub, recycling area[6] and a Rugby Club.[3] A mobile library visits once a month.[7]

History

[edit]

There have been several archaeological finds on the coast south of Tokanui and a couple further up the valley,[8] including an adze (Māori: toki) at Quarry Hills.[9] The area was part of the 1853 Murihiku purchases (6,900,000 acres (28,000 km2) bought by the government for £2,600),[10][11] the injustices of which have since been partly redressed by the 1998 Ngāi Tahu Settlement.[12] Peter Dalrymple (1813-1901)[13] started a sheep station in 1857,[14] which he sold in 1878.[15] Around 1880 work started on draining what had been a wetland area and, in 1883, a road was built linking Fortrose and Waikawa, thus facilitating government sales of land to settlers.[16] However, the road was still very muddy in 1885.[17] A post office opened in 1887[18] and a dairy factory on 29 November 1897,[19] which closed in 1945.[20] A cemetery, opened in about 1891,[21] where 22 graves are listed.[22] There were flaxmills in the area from at least 1899[23] to 1930.[24] A police station opened in 1918.[25] In 1926 the first petrol pump was put in by Tokanui Motor Company.[26] Tokanui Medical Centre was formerly Golden Memorial Maternity Hospital, named after Thomas Golden, a Southland Hospital Board member,[27] and opened about 1956.[28]

Relics of the logging industry at Tokanui in 2020

Sawmills[29]

[edit]

There were several sawmills, milling trees such as rimu.[30] Bauchop's mill burnt down in 1912[31] and narrowly escaped another fire in 1917.[32] There were 3 timber mills in 1921.[33] Some of the sawmills were linked to their bush by tramways, between at least 1902[34] and 1925.[35] One extended 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from the railway station towards Waikawa.[36]

A woodchip mill started in the 1980s,[37] using kāmahi and beech[38] and, from 1985, replaced the native trees as its feedstock, with locally grown eucalyptus.[39]

Halls

[edit]

Tokanui was allocated £41 13s 4d[40] towards the building of a 60 ft (18 m) x 30 ft (9.1 m) Coronation Hall,[41] which opened on 13 October 1911.[42] It was burnt down in 1949[43].The first replacement Memorial Hall was built in 1954,[44] however, it was also burnt down by an arsonist in 1965. The replacement was rather larger 12 m (39 ft) x 20 m (66 ft), built on a different site. and opened in 1967.[45] There is also a Lions Club, which was started in 1979.[46]

Railway station

[edit]
Tokanui railway station in 1956

Tokanui was a flag station at the eastern terminus of the Tokanui Branch railway line, operating from Invercargill, 37 mi 67 ch (60.9 km) away.[47] The line was extended 8 mi 11 ch (13.1 km) and with gradients as steep as 1 in 50,[48] from Waimahaka to Tokanui, the official opening being on Wednesday 20 September 1911, initially with trains on Saturdays and Tuesdays.[49] From time to time trains ran daily,[50] but mainly ran only a few days a week.[51][52] Trains were speeded up in 1924, cutting the journey time to Invercargill to 2h 25m.[53] A request for a stationmaster was rejected in 1920,[54] so that Waimahaka remained the only station on the line with a stationmaster and all records of traffic on the line show only that station.[55]

A 1910 contract for the station buildings at Te Peka and Tokonui was won by P A Lyders of Dunedin for £1827. They were finished by August 1911, when Tokanui had a station building, platform, 30 ft (9.1 m) x 20 ft (6.1 m) goods shed, loading bank, cattle yards, coal shed, 5 sidings, an engine shed and, in 1912, also a turntable. The engine shed closed on 1 January 1960. There was a Post Office at the station from 6 February 1953 to 31 March 1966.[53] Although electric power reached Tokanui in 1926,[56] it wasn't until 1932 that it lit the stockyards, 1936 when it was noted a railway house had electricity and 1946 for station lighting. There were 3 railway houses in 1912 and another was added in 1919. On Sunday, 31 July 1966 the station closed to all traffic.[47] Apart from a large flat area, nothing remains of the station,[57] except part of the platform.[58]

  Former adjoining stations  
Pukewao
Line closed, station closed
3.85 km (2.39 mi)[59] 		  Tokanui Branch   Terminus

Geology

[edit]

Most of the rocks in the area are of the early Middle Jurassic Ferndale Group, a part of the Murihiku Terrane, mainly sandstone deposited in shallow water, with mudstone and conglomerate. The river valleys are formed of recent alluvium.[60]

Etymology

[edit]

Tokanui is a name made up of the Māori words for rock (toka) and large, or many (nui). It is used for 6 locations in North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui),[61] including Tokanui, Waikato, though there the name is thought to be a corruption of tāiko nui, a large petrel.[62] On 3 February 1912 a proposal was made to change the name of the railway station from Tokonui to Tokanui.[47] However, for over 30 years the names were often used interchangeably.[63]

Demographics

[edit]

By 1911 Tokanui had a population of 119,[64] but in 2013 the population of meshblock 3096200 was 66 and 3096900 was 45.[65] The 1944 map[66] and 1956 aerial photos show settlement around the railway station and dairy factory.[67][68] Since then buildings have been enlarged and altered and driveways added, but the pattern of development remains similar.[69]

Sewage

[edit]

A sewage treatment plant, built in 1972, to the west of Tokanui, beside the river puts up to 55 m3 (12,000 imp gal)/day of treated waste into the river. The effect on river quality is claimed to be minimal.[70]

Education

[edit]

Tokanui School opened about 1885, a temporary teacher was appointed in 1886 and Tokanui School was built in 1887.[71] When it opened it had with a roll of 14 students.[72] The school was enlarged in 1993,[73] when Fortrose, Ōtara and Quarry Hills schools closed.[74] It is now a co-educational contributing primary school for years 1 to 8[75] with a roll of 48 students as of August 2024.[76] The 2018 Education Review Office report said there were then 110 pupils.[77] Children are brought to the school on 4 bus routes, serving the south coast from Fortrose to Waikawa and north to Fortification.[78] A 2009 proposal to move Fortrose students to Waimahaka School was opposed by parents and Tokanui School.[79] Waimahaka School closed in 2012.[80]

Quarry Hills school, probably in 1891

Quarry Hills

[edit]

Quarry Hills is a scattered settlement, 9 km (5.6 mi) east of Tokanui.[81] In 2013 meshblock 309671, which covers a large area, to the edge of Tokanui, had a population of 69 and meshhblock 3096800, to the south of the main road, had 18.

In 1891 a post office opened.[82] Waikawa Valley school opened in 1891[83] and was renamed Quarry Hills in 1893.[84] A cemetery opened in about 1895[85] and a public hall in 1928.[86] The hall closed between 1968 and 1976[87] and the school closed in 1993 and is now a house.[88] A war memorial was erected in 1920.[89] Quarrying ended about 1920[90] and had restarted by 1970,[91] but the quarry is now closed.[92]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Balclutha to Tokanui". Google maps. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Tokanui, Southland". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Tokanui Community Response Plan 2020" (PDF). Civil Defence Southland.
  4. ^ "Roads Flooded Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 19 June 1935. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  5. ^ "TOKANUI VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE - STATION 31". www.111emergency.co.nz. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Tokanui". Catlins, New Zealand. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Mobile Library Timetable" (PDF). Southland District Council. August 2023.
  8. ^ "NZAA Site Viewer". archsite.eaglegis.co.nz. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  9. ^ Christopher G. Jennings (July 2009). "The Use of South Land Argillite in New Zealand Prehistory".
  10. ^ "The Murihiku Block". nzetc.victoria.ac.nz. 1891. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Crown Pastoral Land Tenure Review NOKOMAI STATION Lease PS 076" (PDF). July 2009.
  12. ^ "Ngai Tahu Settlement". The Beehive. 13 October 1998. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Death of Mr Peter Dalrymple. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 18 September 1901. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  14. ^ "General news. Southern Cross". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 23 September 1911. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
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  17. ^ "A Visit to Waikawa. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 28 November 1885. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 19 January 1887. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
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  20. ^ "General News. Press". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 26 February 1945. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
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  24. ^ "Railway Crossing Collision. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 29 January 1930. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  25. ^ "Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 4 October 1918. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  26. ^ "County Council. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 15 December 1926. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  27. ^ "Photograph, Catherine McKenzie Golden". eHive. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  28. ^ "Hospital may close. Press". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 7 October 1961. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  29. ^ "Tokanui fire chief Ricky Poole". 19 June 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2023 – via PressReader.
  30. ^ "General News. Southern Cross". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 21 May 1910. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  31. ^ "Fires. Press". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 14 August 1912. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  32. ^ "Fires in Southland. Press". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 18 January 1917. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  33. ^ "Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 8 September 1921. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  34. ^ "Chips & Sawdust. Southern Cross". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 13 September 1902. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  35. ^ "Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 9 October 1925. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  36. ^ "Southland County Council. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 11 June 1910. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  37. ^ "Southland chip mill's effects. Press". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 14 February 1980. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  38. ^ "They're using our trees over there". www.scoop.co.nz. 6 August 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  39. ^ "Southland Hardwood Resource" (PDF).
  40. ^ "The Coronation Subsidy. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 24 June 1911. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
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  42. ^ "Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 11 October 1911. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  43. ^ "Southland Country Hall Destroyed. Press". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 16 June 1949. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  44. ^ "List of halls". fionajack.net. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
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  46. ^ Searle, Jamie (29 December 2021). "Contributing to the community important to retired Southland farmer". Stuff. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  47. ^ a b c Scoble, Juliet. "Station Archive". Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand.
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  49. ^ "Southland Times - 1911 railway timetable". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 19 September 1911. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  50. ^ "Railway Services. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 17 October 1925. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  51. ^ "Local Trains. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 22 July 1920. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  52. ^ "In Town and Out. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 29 July 1935. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  53. ^ a b "Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 15 January 1924. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
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  55. ^ "RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1921". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  56. ^ "Striking Figures. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 27 July 1926. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  57. ^ "10 Buckingham St". Google Maps. February 2008. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  58. ^ Wheel5800 (28 March 2008), Tokanui Platform Edge, retrieved 11 September 2023{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  59. ^ Yonge, John Roger; Company, Quail Map (1993). New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas. Quail Map Company. ISBN 9780900609923. {{cite book}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  60. ^ Campbell, H. J.; Mortimer, N.; Turnbull, I. M. (March 2003). "Murihiku Supergroup, New Zealand: Redefined". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 33 (1): 85–95. doi:10.1080/03014223.2003.9517722. ISSN 0303-6758. S2CID 128964120.
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  62. ^ "Tokanui". gazetteer.linz.govt.nz. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
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  64. ^ "Census of New Zealand, 1911" (PDF).
  65. ^ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". datafinder.stats.govt.nz. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  66. ^ "1:63360 map Sheet: S183 Tokanui". www.mapspast.org.nz. 1944. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  67. ^ "1956 aerial views of Tokanui".
  68. ^ "1956 aerial views of railway station".
  69. ^ "Southland 0.1m Urban Aerial Photos". LINZ Basemaps. 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
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  72. ^ "Tokanui School". Invercargill Archives. Invercargill City Libraries.
  73. ^ Crayton-Brown, Kimberley (15 February 2011). "Tokanui time capsule lost in education space". Stuff. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  74. ^ David Grant (25 May 2015). "Southland places". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  75. ^ Education Counts: Tokanui School
  76. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  77. ^ "Tokanui School". ero.govt.nz. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  78. ^ "School bus route maps". moenz.maps.arcgis.com. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  79. ^ "Bus stop fears for Fortrose families". Stuff. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  80. ^ "Sadness as bell tolls for school". Stuff. 16 December 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
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  82. ^ "Waikawa. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 24 September 1891. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
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  84. ^ "Southland Education Board. Mataura Ensign". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 7 February 1893. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  85. ^ "Southland Land Board. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 27 November 1895. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  86. ^ "Quarry Hills. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 4 April 1928. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  87. ^ "1:63360 map Sheet: S183 Tokanui". www.mapspast.org.nz. 1968. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  88. ^ "Quarry Hills". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  89. ^ "The Quarry Hills (Southland) Soldiers' Memorial: At the Unveiling Ceremony. Otago Witness". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 16 November 1920. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  90. ^ "Place Names. Southland Times". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 8 November 1930. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  91. ^ "Fall of rock kills man. Press". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 19 September 1970. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  92. ^ "767 Southern Scenic Rte". Google Maps. September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
[edit]
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