Hari Hari (sometimes spelled Harihari) is a small rural settlement in the south west of the West Coast region of New Zealand's South Island. It is slightly inland from the Tasman Sea and the Saltwater Lagoon and is situated between the Wanganui and Poerua Rivers, 45 minutes south of the tourist town of Hokitika. State Highway 6 passes through the town on its route from Ross to the Franz Josef Glacier. The Westland District's largest town, Greymouth is 110 kilometres (68 mi), and Hokitika 70 km (43 mi) to the north-east. Ross is 46 km (29 mi) to the north-east, and Franz Josef is 32 km south west.[3][4]
Hari Hari was once a logging settlement and relics of a bush tramway that used to carry timber can be found in the area. Today, the forest in the area is protected and popular activities in the Hari Hari area include bushwalking, birdwatching, and trout and salmon fishing.
The Inter-Wanganui Co-op opened a dairy factory at Hari Hari in 1908,[5] but it is now a ruin.[6]
Hari Hari's main claim to fame occurred on 7 January 1931, when AustralianaviatorGuy Menzies landed upside down in a swamp near Hari Hari, completing the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea. Menzies, who had left Sydney 11 hours and 45 minutes earlier, was aiming for Blenheim but had been blown off course and mistook a swamp for flat pasture suitable for landing. Despite the accident, he was unharmed. On 7 January 2006, the 75th anniversary celebrations of the feat were held in Hari Hari, with roughly 400 people in attendance. To mark the occasion, Dick Smith recreated Guy Menzies' flight, though Smith chose to land upright in Hari Hari.[7]
Local name change controversy
The name has a Maori meaning, from Te Aka Maori/English Dictionary, as "to take/carry joy" or, as local legend suggests, "come together in unison" from a Maori canoe paddling chant/song. Williams' dictionary gives "Harihari" as the correct spelling for that meaning.[8] In recent years, Hari Hari has been increasingly referred to as "Harihari" with Maori meaning as "ambulance"[circular reference]. No official statutory process has taken place in order for this to happen.
Many local residents are upset about the growing number of official websites, and official documentation, referring to Hari Hari as being "Harihari". The greater community insists that they were not informed or talked to about this matter, and are against the gradual unofficial change. Some are being active about keeping their town's name the same, and have involved the Department of Māori Affairs about the tampering with of a traditional Māori place name. Town signs around Hari Hari still state the name is Hari Hari. One newly placed town distance sign in Whataroa shows the name "Harihari".[9]
The town was named in 1908 when a post office was needed for the township. Then named Harihari,[10] the office was opened on 18 September 1908.[11]
Demographics
Hari Hari is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 50.43 km2 (19.47 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 270 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 5.4 people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Whataroa-Harihari statistical area.[12]
Hari Hari had a population of 240 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 3 people (−1.2%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 24 people (−9.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 105 households, comprising 123 males and 120 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female, with 42 people (17.5%) aged under 15 years, 33 (13.8%) aged 15 to 29, 117 (48.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 48 (20.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 91.2% European/Pākehā, 10.0% Māori, 2.5% Pasifika, 2.5% Asian, and 2.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.8% had no religion, 30.0% were Christian and 2.5% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 24 (12.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 63 (31.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 15 people (7.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 90 (45.5%) people were employed full-time, 39 (19.7%) were part-time, and 3 (1.5%) were unemployed.[13]
Whataroa-Harihari statistical area
Whataroa-Harihari statistical area, which also includes Whataroa, covers 1,136.25 km2 (438.71 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 740 as of June 2024,[14] with a population density of 0.65 people per km2.
Whataroa-Harihari had a population of 642 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 30 people (4.9%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 111 people (−14.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 276 households, comprising 348 males and 297 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.17 males per female. The median age was 40.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 147 people (22.9%) aged under 15 years, 96 (15.0%) aged 15 to 29, 300 (46.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 102 (15.9%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 87.4% European/Pākehā, 13.1% Māori, 5.6% Pasifika, 2.8% Asian, and 3.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 11.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.9% had no religion, 35.5% were Christian, 0.5% were Buddhist and 2.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 57 (11.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 129 (26.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $31,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 57 people (11.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 276 (55.8%) people were employed full-time, 84 (17.0%) were part-time, and 12 (2.4%) were unemployed.[15]
Education
South Westland Area School is a coeducational composite school (years 1–15), with a roll of 126 students as of August 2024.[16][17] It opened in 1969, replacing Hari Hari School which had existed since 1865.[18] The school has a satellite class at Franz Josef Glacier School.[19]
^Williams, H. W. Dictionary of the Maori Language GP Publications Limited, Wellington, Seventh edition, 1971; 1992 reprint, p.38; "harihari, n. Song to make people pull together"
^Collins, R. J. G. and Watts, C.W. (editors). The Postage Stamps of New Zealand, Vol. III. The Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand Incorporated, Wellington, New Zealand, 1955, p. 574
