View source for Whangārei

{{About|the city of Whangārei|the electoral district with the same name|Whangārei (New Zealand electorate)}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Whangārei
| native_name        = <small>Whangārei-Terenga-Parāoa ([[Māori language|Māori]])</small>
| native_name_lang   = mi
| settlement_type    = [[Cities of New Zealand|City]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
  | border                 = infobox
  | total_width            = 290
  | image_style            = border:1;
  | perrow                 = 1/2/2
  | image1      = Parihaka te Maunga.jpg
  | image2      = Whangarei_Marina_NZ.jpg
  | image3      = Whangarei_Falls_2008.jpg
  | image4      = Whangarei_Mall_2018.jpg
  | image5      = Hundertwasser Arts Centre Streetside.jpg
 }}
| image_caption      = From top, left to right: Whangārei city from Mt Parihaka, Whangārei Marina, [[Whangārei Falls]], Whangārei Mall, the entrance of the [[Hundertwasser Art Centre]]
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_alt          = 
| image_flag         = 
| flag_alt           = 
| image_seal         = 
| seal_alt           = 
| image_shield       = 
| shield_alt         = 
| nicknames           = The Rei, Whangas
| mottoes              = Non Nobis Solum, Love It Here, City of 100 Beaches
| pushpin_map        = New Zealand Northland#New Zealand
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|35|43|30|S|174|19|25|E|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = [[New Zealand]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Northland region|Northland]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|Territorial authority]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Whangarei District]]
| subdivision_type3  = Pre 1989
| subdivision_name3  = Whangārei City
| established_title  = Constituted as town district
| established_date   = 5 June 1882<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dick |first=Thomas |date=8 June 1882 |title=Town District of Whangarei, County of Whanqarei, constituted |url=https://library.victoria.ac.nz/databases/nzgazettearchive/pubs/gazettes/1882/1882%20ISSUE%20054.pdf |magazine=[[The New Zealand Gazette]] |page=805 |issue=054}}</ref>
| established_title1 = Proclaimed borough
| established_date1  = 1 October 1896<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Carroll|first=J|date=1 October 1896 |title=Proclaiming Borough of Whangarei, County of Whangarei, under "The Municipal Corporations Act, 1886" |url=https://library.victoria.ac.nz/databases/nzgazettearchive/pubs/gazettes/1896/1896%20ISSUE%20075.pdf |magazine=[[The New Zealand Gazette]] |page=1628 |issue=075}}</ref>
| established_title2 = Proclaimed city
| established_date2  = 21 May 1964<ref>{{Cite magazine 
|last=Barrowcroft
|first=H E
|date=14 May 1964
|title=Proclaiming the Borough of Whangarei to be a City
|url=https://library.victoria.ac.nz/databases/nzgazettearchive/pubs/gazettes/1964/1964%20ISSUE%20029.pdf
|magazine=[[The New Zealand Gazette]]
|page=803
|issue=29}}</ref>
| established_title3 = Merged into Whangarei District
| established_date3  = 1 November 1989
| founder            = 
| named_for          = Reipae (a Waikato princess)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Taonui |first1=Rāwiri |title=Naming Whangārei Harbour |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/whangarei-tribes/page-3 |website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |publisher=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu |access-date=10 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
| seat_type          = [[New Zealand Parliament|NZ Parliament]]
| seat               = [[Te Tai Tokerau]] ([[Māori electorates|Māori]])<br/>[[Whangārei (New Zealand electorate)|Whangārei]]
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_party       = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Vince Cocurullo
| leader_title1      = MPs
| leader_name1       = [[Mariameno Kapa-Kingi]] ([[Te Pāti Māori]])<br/>[[Shane Reti]] ([[New Zealand National Party|National]])
| total_type         = 
| unit_pref          = 
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_land_sq_mi    = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_sq_mi   = 
| area_water_percent = 
| area_urban_km2     = 63.53
| area_urban_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/>
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 
| population_footnotes = <ref name="NZ_population_data_2018"/>
| population_total   = 
| population_as_of   = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}
| population_urban   = {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Whangarei|y}}|R}}
| area_note          = 
| population_density_km2 = 
| population_density_urban_km2 = auto
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_demonym = 
| population_note    = 
| timezone           = [[Time in New Zealand|NZST]]
| utc_offset         = +12
| timezone_DST       = NZDT
| utc_offset_DST     = +13
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->| postal_code_type   = Postcode
| postal_code        = 0110, 0112 (urban)
| area_code          = 09
| website            = {{URL|www.wdc.govt.nz}}
| footnotes          = 
| official_name      = 
| blank_name         = Local [[iwi]]
| blank_info         = [[Ngāpuhi]], [[Ngāti Wai]]
}}

'''Whangārei'''{{efn|({{IPA|mi|haˈŋaːˌɾɛi|lang|label=Māori (local dialect) pronunciation|audio=Whangārei Pronunciation (Northern).wav}}), {{IPA|mi|ɸaˈŋaːˌɾɛi|lang|label=Māori (Waikato dialect) pronunciation|audio=Whangārei Pronunciation (Central).wav}})<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whangārei-terenga-paraoa |url=https://maoridictionary.co.nz/word/10093 |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Te Aka Māori Dictionary |language=en}}</ref>}} is the northernmost city in [[New Zealand]] and the largest settlement of the [[Northland Region]]. It is part of the [[Whangarei District]], created in 1989 from the former Whangarei City, Whangarei County and Hikurangi Town councils to administer both the city and its hinterland. The city population was estimated to be {{NZ population data 2018|Whangarei|y|y|y|in |,}} an increase from 47,000 in 2001.

==Etymology==

The origin of the name Whangārei is unclear, as a number of [[Māori mythology|traditional Māori stories]] are associated with the harbour. One major tradition involves the sisters [[Reitū and Reipae]] of the ''[[Tainui (canoe)|Tainui]]'' migratory waka, who either flew from the [[Waikato]] north on the backs of birds, or in the form of birds.<ref name="Naming">{{cite web |last1=Taonui |first1=Rāwiri|title=Naming Whangārei Harbour|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/whangarei-tribes/page-3 |website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]] |access-date=1 September 2022 |date=8 February 2005}}</ref><ref name="FieldGuide2008">{{cite book |last1=Cameron |first1=Ewen |last2=Hayward |first2= Bruce |author-link2=Bruce Hayward |last3=Murdoch |first3= Graeme |title=A Field Guide to Auckland: Exploring the Region's Natural and Historical Heritage |isbn=978-1-86962-1513 |publisher=Random House New Zealand |year=2008 |page=109}}</ref>

Other traditions describe the meaning of Whangārei as "lying in wait to ambush", referring to warriors watching over the harbour from Castle Rock, or Whangārei meaning "to gather", referring to the harbour as a gathering place for whales or for important [[rangatira]].<ref name="Naming"/>

==History==

The harbour is known from traditional histories as a landing point for many of the [[Māori migration canoes|migratory waka]] which reached New Zealand, including ''[[Tūnui-ā-rangi]]'' and ''[[Arawa (canoe)|Te Arawa]]''. Many stories involving the Whangārei Harbour involve the legendary chief [[Manaia (legendary chief)|Manaia]].<ref name="Ancestors">{{cite web |last1=Taonui |first1=Rāwiri|title=Ancestors|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/whangarei-tribes/page-1 |website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]] |access-date=1 September 2022 |date=8 February 2005}}</ref> Whangārei was traditionally an important location for trade during much of pre-European [[Māori history]], linking the [[Muriwhenua]] iwi of the far north, the residents of the [[Hauraki Gulf]] islands, and [[Tāmaki Māori]] iwi to the south.<ref name="Ancestors"/> An overland route, the [[Portages of New Zealand#Mangapai portage|Mangapai portage]], allowed [[waka (canoe)|waka]] to be hauled between the Whangārei Harbour in the east, and the [[Wairoa River (Northland)|Wairoa River]] and [[Kaipara Harbour]] to the west along the [[Mangapai River]].<ref name="Folksong">{{cite journal|url=https://folksong.org.nz/he_tangi_te_kiwi/portages_of_early_auckland.html |title=Portages of early Auckland – to and from the Waitemata Harbour: The hub of an ancient communications network |first=Brian |last=Hooker|journal=Auckland-Waikato Historical Journal|number=70|date=September 1997|pages=39–40|access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref>

A number of [[Māori people|Māori]] [[iwi]] are associated with the early history of Whangārei, including Ngare Raumati, Ngāi Tāhuhu, [[Ngātiwai]] and [[Te Parawhau]].<ref name="Tribes">{{cite web |last1=Taonui |first1=Rāwiri|title=Tribes of Whangārei|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/whangarei-tribes/page-2 |website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]] |access-date=1 September 2022 |date=8 February 2005}}</ref> In the late 18th century, [[Ngāpuhi]] expanded south into the Whangārei area.<ref name="Tribes"/>

Captain [[James Cook]] and the crew of the ''[[HM Bark Endeavour|Endeavour]]'' were the first Europeans to sight the Whangārei Harbour entrance. On 15 November 1769 they caught about a hundred fish in the harbour, which they classified as "[[bream]]" (probably [[Australasian snapper|snapper]]), prompting Cook to name the area [[Bream Bay]]. In the early 19th century, when Europeans began visiting the harbour more regularly, Ngāpuhi occupied Whangārei, and the Te Parawhau [[hapū]] lived at the head of the harbour.<ref>{{cite book|title=Historic Northland|author=A. H. Reed|author-link=A. H. Reed|year=1968}}</ref>

In the 1820s, the area was repeatedly attacked by [[Waikato (iwi)|Waikato]] and [[Ngāti Pāoa]] raiders during the [[Musket Wars]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Whangarei: The Founding Years|last=Pickmere|first=Nancy Preece|year=1986|pages=1–6}}</ref> The first European settler was William Carruth, a Scotsman and trader, who arrived in 1839 and was joined six years later by [[Gilbert Mair (trader)|Gilbert Mair]] and his family. Relations between the settlers and local Māori were generally friendly, but in February 1842, all settler farms were plundered in revenge for transgressions of [[Tapu (Polynesian culture)|tapu]]. In April 1845, during the [[Flagstaff War]], all settlers fled from Whangārei.<ref>Pickmere, pp 20–46</ref> Most of the original settlers never returned, but by the mid-1850s there were a number of farmers and orchardists in the area. From 1855, a small town developed, driven by the [[kauri gum]] trade. Today's 'Town Basin' on the [[Hātea River]] was the original port. Early exports included kauri gum and native timber, followed later by coal from [[Whau Valley]], [[Kamo, New Zealand|Kamo]], and [[Hikurangi]]. Coal from the [[Kiripaka]] field was exported via the [[Ngunguru River]]. By 1864, the nucleus of the present city was established.<ref>Pickmere, pp 87–88</ref>

[[File:View of Whangarei from the foot of Parahaki. ATLIB 287525.png|thumb|View of Whangārei from the foot of Mt Parihaka, showing the [[Hātea River]] in the foreground and a timber mill across the river. By Albert Percy Godber in 1911.]]

Fire bricks made from fire clay deposits near the Kamo mines supported a brickworks over several decades. Good quality limestone was quarried at Hikurangi, Portland and Limestone Island, and initially sold as agricultural lime, and later combined with local coal to produce Portland cement at the settlement of [[Portland, Northland|Portland]] on the south side of the harbour. Local limestone is still used in cement manufacture, but the coal is now imported from the [[West Coast, New Zealand|West Coast]] of the [[South Island]].{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Whangārei was the most urbanised area in Northland towards the end of the 19th century, but grew slowly in the 20th century. The district slowly exhausted most of its natural resources but was sustained by agriculture, especially dairying. Shipping was the main transport link until the [[North Auckland Line|North Auckland railway line]] reached the town in 1925, and the road from Auckland was not suitable for travel in poor weather until 1934.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/Places/Northland/NorthlandPlaces/15/en|title=Whangarei City and environs|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216074903/http://www.teara.govt.nz/Places/Northland/NorthlandPlaces/15/en|archive-date=16 February 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> These terrestrial travel routes forced a rapid decline in coastal shipping but stimulated Whangārei to become the service centre for Northland. The population was 14,000 in 1945, but grew rapidly in the 1960s, incorporating Kamo and other outlying areas. In 1964, Whangārei was declared a city. Its population the following year was 31,000.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Whangarei|encyclopedia=[[Bateman New Zealand Encyclopedia]]|page=632|edition=4th|year=1995}}</ref>

The second half of the twentieth century brought the establishment and expansion of the [[oil refinery]] at [[Marsden Point]] on Bream Bay, the adjacent development of timber processing and the establishment of [[Northland Port]], which is mainly focused on timber exporting.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Building of the [[Hundertwasser Arts Centre|Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery]] commenced in 2018 after the funding target of $20.97 million was raised by a volunteer team in time for a June 2017 deadline, and the centre opened in February 2022.<ref>{{cite web |date=19 June 2017 |title=Unfinished Hundertwasser art project revived in NZ |url= http://www.euronews.com/2017/06/19/unfinished-hundertwasser-art-project-revived-in-nz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112072800/http://www.euronews.com/2017/06/19/unfinished-hundertwasser-art-project-revived-in-nz |archive-date=12 November 2017 |access-date=30 April 2018 |website=euronews.com |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lambly |first=Annette |date=19 June 2018 |title=Work on Whangarei $26m Hundertwasser Art Centre gets underway |publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |url= 
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/104697410/work-on-whangarei-26m-hundertwasser-art-centre-gets-underway}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-20 |title=Hundertwasser Arts Centre opens in Whangārei |url= https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/461905/hundertwasser-arts-centre-opens-in-whangarei |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref>

===Future===
A container port could follow, linked by rail to Auckland. The extensive, flat undeveloped land around Northport is a suggested solution to excess population growth in Auckland and the associated lack of industrial land.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telferyoung.com/news/northland/ty1151288664.html|title=Marsden Point – The Hype and The Reality|publisher=TelferYoung (Northland) Limited|date=June 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725183551/http://www.telferyoung.com/news/northland/ty1151288664.html|archive-date=25 July 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:Whangarei panorama.jpg|thumb|centre|748x748px|Panorama of Whangārei from Mt Parihaka]]

===Geographical features===
[[Image:Whangarei Falls.jpg|thumb|[[Whangārei Falls]]]]
Mount Parihaka is a volcanic dome rising {{convert|259|m|ft}} to the northeast of the city centre and part of the [[Whangārei volcanic field]]. It is about 20 million years old, and aligns with the Harbour Fault, which also aligns with the volcanoes of Parakiore near [[Kamo, New Zealand|Kamo]], and [[Hikurangi]] near the town of the same name.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.gsnz.org.nz/gs_downloads/fieldtrips/MP112B_FT4.pdf |title=Introduction to Whangarei geology|first1=Bruce |last1=Hayward |first2= Mike |last2=Isaac|first3= Keith |last3=Miller |first4=Bernhard|last4= Spörli|year=2002|publisher=[[Geological Society of New Zealand]] |page=27 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090304085527/http://www.gsnz.org.nz/gs_downloads/fieldtrips/MP112B_FT4.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The dome is surrounded by the Parihaka Scenic Reserve. There is road access to the summit of Parihaka and walking tracks through the reserve,<ref>{{cite book|title=Guide to Whangarei City and District|last=Parkes|first=W. F.|year=1992|isbn=0-473-01639-7|page=7}}</ref> and a bridge linking it to [[Mair Park]]. The dome is frequently called Mount Parahaki, but the original Māori spelling of Parihaka was confirmed by the government in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/node/23727|title=Mount Parihaka name corrected|date=19 July 2005|access-date=14 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120063401/http://beehive.govt.nz/node/23727|archive-date=20 January 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The [[Hātea River]] flows south through the city and empties into [[Whangārei Harbour]]. The river has a spectacular {{convert|26|m|ft|adj=on}} waterfall in [[Tikipunga]], {{convert|6|km|mile}} north of the city.<ref>Parkes, p 11</ref>

[[Motu Matakohe|Matakohe]], or Limestone Island, lies in the harbour close to the city. Owned by Whangarei District, it is subject to ecological [[island restoration]] by the Friends of Matakohe/Limestone Island Society.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

===Suburbs===
{{unreferenced section|date=January 2025}}
[[Whangārei Central]] is the main business district. The city's urban area spreads through the valleys of the surrounding area. The suburbs are:
* Northern: [[Kamo, New Zealand|Te Kamo]], [[Springs Flat, Whangārei|Springs Flat]], [[Tikipunga]], [[Three Mile Bush]], [[Otangarei]], [[Mairtown]], [[Regent, Whangārei|Regent]], [[Kensington, Whangārei|Kensington]] and [[Whau Valley]]
* Southern/Western: [[Morningside, Whangārei|Morningside]], [[Raumanga]], [[Maunu, New Zealand|Maunu]], [[Horahora, Whangārei|Horahora]], [[Woodhill, Whangārei|Woodhill]], and The Avenues
* Eastern: [[Riverside, Whangārei|Riverside]], [[Port Whangārei]], Sherwood Rise, [[Onerahi]], and Parahaki.

===Climate===
Whangārei has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen Climate Classification|Köppen]] [[Köppen climate classification#Group C: Temperate/mesothermal climates|''Cfb'']]). The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows. Summer days occasionally exceed 30&nbsp;°C, and there is plentiful rainfall spread relatively evenly throughout the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=85039&cityname=Whangarei,+Northland,+New+Zealand&units=|title=Whangarei, New Zealand Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=30 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074956/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=85039&cityname=Whangarei,+Northland,+New+Zealand&units=|archive-date=4 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Using the [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha classification]] Whangārei is firmly a maritime [[subtropical climate]] due to its absence of winter cold.

{{Weather box
|location = Whangārei Airport (1991–2020 normals, 1967–present)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
| Jan record high C = 31.2
| Feb record high C = 33.5
| Mar record high C = 29.6
| Apr record high C = 27.3
| May record high C = 24.8
| Jun record high C = 22.6
| Jul record high C = 20.3
| Aug record high C = 22.8
| Sep record high C = 24.2
| Oct record high C = 26.3
| Nov record high C = 28.7
| Dec record high C = 31.5
| year record high C = 33.5
| Jan avg record high C  = 28.5
| Feb avg record high C  = 28.7
| Mar avg record high C  = 26.5
| Apr avg record high C  = 24.8
| May avg record high C  = 22.3
| Jun avg record high C  = 20.0
| Jul avg record high C  = 18.9
| Aug avg record high C  = 19.6
| Sep avg record high C  = 21.3
| Oct avg record high C  = 23.0
| Nov avg record high C  = 25.4
| Dec avg record high C  = 27.3
| year avg record high C = 29.5
|Jan high C = 	24.6
|Feb high C = 	24.7
|Mar high C = 	23.2
|Apr high C = 	20.9
|May high C = 	18.5
|Jun high C = 	16.3
|Jul high C = 	15.5
|Aug high C = 	15.9
|Sep high C = 	17.5
|Oct high C = 	19.0
|Nov high C = 	20.8
|Dec high C = 	23.0
| year high C = 	20.0
|Jan mean C = 	20.2
|Feb mean C = 	20.6
|Mar mean C = 	19.0
|Apr mean C = 	17.0
|May mean C = 	14.8
|Jun mean C = 	12.7
|Jul mean C = 	11.8
|Aug mean C = 	12.2
|Sep mean C = 	13.5
|Oct mean C = 	15.0
|Nov mean C = 	16.6
|Dec mean C = 	18.8
| year mean C = 	16.0
|Jan low C = 	15.8
|Feb low C = 	16.4
|Mar low C = 	14.9
|Apr low C = 	13.1
|May low C = 	11.2
|Jun low C = 	9.1
|Jul low C = 	8.1
|Aug low C = 	8.4
|Sep low C = 	9.6
|Oct low C = 	10.9
|Nov low C = 	12.4
|Dec low C = 	14.5
| year low C = 	12.0
| Jan avg record low C  = 11.1
| Feb avg record low C  = 12.3
| Mar avg record low C  = 10.5
| Apr avg record low C  = 8.1
| May avg record low C  = 5.8
| Jun avg record low C  = 3.6
| Jul avg record low C  = 2.6
| Aug avg record low C  = 3.4
| Sep avg record low C  = 4.6
| Oct avg record low C  = 6.4
| Nov avg record low C  = 7.9
| Dec avg record low C  = 10.0
| year avg record low C = 2.1
|Jan record low C  = 8.1
|Feb record low C  = 8.7
|Mar record low C  = 6.1
|Apr record low C  = 4.1
|May record low C  =  2.0
|Jun record low C  = -0.1
|Jul record low C  = 0.0
|Aug record low C  = 0.7
|Sep record low C  = 1.9
|Oct record low C  = 3.3
|Nov record low C  = 3.5
|Dec record low C  = 6.5
|year record low C = -0.1
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 	78.0
|Feb rain mm = 	83.2
|Mar rain mm = 	119.2
|Apr rain mm = 	94.1
|May rain mm = 	112.9
|Jun rain mm = 	142.2
|Jul rain mm = 	173.5
|Aug rain mm = 	130.0
|Sep rain mm = 	112.3
|Oct rain mm = 	76.8
|Nov rain mm = 	75.9
|Dec rain mm = 	90.9
|year rain mm = 
| Jan rain days = 	6.9
| Feb rain days = 	7.3
| Mar rain days = 	9.0
| Apr rain days = 	9.7
| May rain days = 	13.1
| Jun rain days = 	14.0
| Jul rain days = 	15.0
| Aug rain days = 	15.2
| Sep rain days = 	12.9
| Oct rain days = 	10.3
| Nov rain days = 	9.2
| Dec rain days = 	8.8
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm
| Jan humidity = 	79.0
| Feb humidity = 	84.0
| Mar humidity = 	85.9
| Apr humidity = 	86.2
| May humidity = 	88.3
| Jun humidity = 	89.4
| Jul humidity = 	89.0
| Aug humidity = 	86.1
| Sep humidity = 	80.9
| Oct humidity = 	81.0
| Nov humidity = 	76.9
| Dec humidity = 	77.5
|source 1 = NIWA Climate Data<ref name="NIWA">{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240520001949/https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities
| archive-date = 20 May 2024
| url = https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities
| title = Climate data and activities
| publisher= NIWA
| access-date = 20 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 1283, 1287)
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 20 Jul 2024}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location = Whangarei City (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1970–1988, 2015–present) 
| Jan record high C = 31.3
| Feb record high C = 34.1
| Mar record high C = 29.0
| Apr record high C = 27.1
| May record high C = 25.3
| Jun record high C = 22.5
| Jul record high C = 20.8
| Aug record high C = 23.0
| Sep record high C = 26.0
| Oct record high C = 26.9
| Nov record high C = 29.4
| Dec record high C = 30.8
| year record high C = 34.1
| Jan high C  = 25.0
| Feb high C  = 25.2
| Mar high C  = 23.6
| Apr high C  = 21.3
| May high C  = 18.9
| Jun high C  = 16.6
| Jul high C  = 16.0
| Aug high C  = 16.4
| Sep high C  = 17.7
| Oct high C  = 19.3
| Nov high C  = 21.1
| Dec high C  = 23.3
| year high C = 
| Jan mean C  = 19.6
| Feb mean C  = 19.9
| Mar mean C  = 18.4
| Apr mean C  = 16.2
| May mean C  = 14.2
| Jun mean C  = 12.1
| Jul mean C  = 11.3
| Aug mean C  = 11.7
| Sep mean C  = 12.9
| Oct mean C  = 14.3
| Nov mean C  = 16.0
| Dec mean C  = 18.0
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C  = 14.2
| Feb low C  = 14.6
| Mar low C  = 13.2
| Apr low C  = 11.1
| May low C  = 9.5
| Jun low C  = 7.6
| Jul low C  = 6.6
| Aug low C  = 7.0
| Sep low C  = 8.1
| Oct low C  = 9.3
| Nov low C  = 10.9
| Dec low C  = 12.7
| year low C = 
|Jan record low C  = 7.1
|Feb record low C  = 7.1
|Mar record low C  = 4.2
|Apr record low C  = 3.7
|May record low C  =  0.6
|Jun record low C  = -0.4
|Jul record low C  = -2.0
|Aug record low C  = -1.6
|Sep record low C  = 0.6
|Oct record low C  = 2.5
|Nov record low C  = 2.2
|Dec record low C  = 5.6
|year record low C = -2.0
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 95.6
|Feb rain mm = 115.9
|Mar rain mm = 143.6
|Apr rain mm = 130.8
|May rain mm = 125.7
|Jun rain mm = 190.1
|Jul rain mm = 150.3
|Aug rain mm = 150.7
|Sep rain mm = 130.2
|Oct rain mm = 130.2
|Nov rain mm = 83.7
|Dec rain mm = 93.6
|year rain mm = 	|Jan sun = 	235.0
|Feb sun = 	201.7
|Mar sun = 	168.2
|Apr sun = 	164.3
|May sun = 	153.2
|Jun sun = 	131.8
|Jul sun = 	141.2
|Aug sun = 	152.3
|Sep sun = 	170.5
|Oct sun = 	197.7
|Nov sun = 	206.3
|Dec sun = 	264.8
|year sun = 
|source = NIWA (Rainfall 1971-2000)<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 1284, 40980)
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 20 Jul 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/monthly
|title = Monthly climate summaries from December 2001 to the present.
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 8 Nov 2025}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
The Whangārei urban area covers {{Convert|63.53|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=26 October 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Whangarei|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Whangarei|y}}|R}}/63.53|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.
{{Historical populations|2013|44,730|2018|51,894|2023|53,841|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Whangārei urban area|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/>}}
The urban area had a population of 53,841 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 1,947 people (3.8%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 9,111 people (20.4%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 25,776 males, 27,918 females and 147 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 19,821 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%2Bdo1.1043.2023&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> 3.0% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 38.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 11,022 people (20.5%) aged under 15 years, 9,714 (18.0%) aged 15 to 29, 22,353 (41.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 10,752 (20.0%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 68.5% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 37.3% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 5.6% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 8.9% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 0.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.3%, Māori language by 9.6%, Samoan by 0.4% and other languages by 9.6%. No language could be spoken by 2.3% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.7%. The percentage of people born overseas was 19.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 32.9% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.4% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.4% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 3.5% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.6% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.5% [[New Age]], 0.1% [[Judaism in New Zealand|Jewish]],  and 1.5% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 51.6%, and 7.6% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 5,895 (13.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 23,538 (55.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 11,589 (27.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $35,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 2,832 people (6.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 19,677 (46.0%) people were employed full-time, 5,100 (11.9%) were part-time, and 1,500 (3.5%) were 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%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1043.2013%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=Whangārei (1043)}}</ref>

==Government==
{{unreferenced section|date=January 2025}}

=== National ===
Whangārei is within the [[Whangārei (New Zealand electorate)|Whangārei electorate]] and the [[Te Tai Tokerau]] Māori electorate. The current MP of the Whangārei electorate is [[Shane Reti]] of the National Party. The current MP of the Te Tai Tokerau electorate is [[Mariameno Kapa-Kingi]] of Te Pāti Māori.

=== Local ===
At a local level, Whangārei comes under the Northland Regional Council, of which the city is the seat.

Whangārei is governed locally by the [[Whangarei District|Whangarei District Council]]. The city is split into two of the council wards, Denby, which takes the northern suburbs, and Okara, which takes the southern half of the city.

Whangārei is covered by the Northland Police District, which is split into two areas, Whangārei/Kaipara and Mid/Far North.

Judicially, the town is served by the Whangarei District Court and is also the base of the region's only High Court.

==Transport==
[[New Zealand State Highway 1|State Highway 1]] from [[Auckland]] to [[Cape Reinga]] passes through Whangārei. [[New Zealand State Highway 14|State Highway 14]] from [[Dargaville]] connects to State Highway 1 in Whangārei.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

[[Whangarei Airport|Whangārei Airport]] is located {{convert|7.4|km}} southeast of the city centre, in the suburb of [[Onerahi]].{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

In July 2013, a second road crossing of the [[Hātea River]] was opened, in the form of a [[bascule bridge]].{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

There are several cycle/walk ways under development connecting the city centre with the outer suburbs. These include Kamo (currently under construction), Onerahi (completed) and Raumanga/Maunu (several sections completed). The Hātea Loop (Huarahi o te Whai) is a central mixed space walkway connecting the Town Basin, Hihiaua Peninsula, Okara, Pohe Island and Riverside areas of the [[Whangārei Central|central city]].{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Whangārei is served by [[Northport, New Zealand|Northport]], a seaport at [[Marsden Point]]. It was previously served by Port Whangārei, in the upper harbour near the city, which was operated by the Northland Harbour Board until 1988, when it was transferred to the Northland Port Corporation. The first two berths at Marsden Point opened in 2002, and Port Whangārei closed to commercial shipping in 2007 when the remaining cargo operations were transferred to Marsden Point.<ref name=Liang>{{cite book |last=Liang |first=Annejo |date=2010 |title=Ports of Whangarei |url=http://www.wdc.govt.nz/PlansPoliciesandBylaws/Plans/SustainableFutures/Documents/Sustainable%20Infrastructure/30-50-Port-of-Whangarei.pdf |publisher=Whangarei District Council |access-date=30 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421205441/http://www.wdc.govt.nz/PlansPoliciesandBylaws/Plans/SustainableFutures/Documents/Sustainable%20Infrastructure/30-50-Port-of-Whangarei.pdf |archive-date=21 April 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

=== Bus ===
Northland Regional Council organises the CityLink bus service. This bus service runs eight urban bus routes,<ref>{{Cite web|title=CityLink – Whangārei Bus Service, Routes, Stops|url=https://citylinkwhangarei.co.nz/|access-date=2021-05-02|website=CityLink Whangarei|language=en-US}}</ref> with [[Bicycle carrier#New Zealand|bicycle racks]] from 1 October 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://citylinkwhangarei.co.nz/bus-your-bike/|title=Bus your Bike – CityLink Whangarei|work=CityLink Whangarei|access-date=2018-09-24|language=en-US}}</ref> On 20 November 2019, Whangārei became the first city to use [[Bee Card (New Zealand)|Bee Cards]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bee Card is here!|url=https://citylinkwhangarei.co.nz/bee-card/|access-date=12 January 2020|publisher=[[Northland Regional Council]]}}</ref> 2% of arrivals and 3% of departures in the [[Whangārei Central]] census area were by public bus in 2018. In other neighbouring census areas, even fewer used buses.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waka Commuter|url=https://commuter.waka.app/|access-date=2021-05-02|website=commuter.waka.app|language=en}}</ref>

[[InterCity (New Zealand)|Intercity]] operates 3 buses a day from Whangārei, taking about 3 hours<ref name=":1" /> for the {{Convert|158|km|||abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sky Tower to 91 Dent St (The Hub, Town Basin)|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Sky+Tower+Victoria+Street+West,+Auckland+CBD,+Auckland/91+Dent+St+(The+Hub,+Town+Basin),+Whang%C4%81rei+0110/@-36.2850798,173.9664366,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x6d0d47f06d4bdc25:0x2d1b5c380ad9387!2m2!1d174.762191!2d-36.848448!1m5!1m1!1s0x6d0b7eee5240834d:0xf74c2af6107d12ae!2m2!1d174.3255246!2d-35.7250483!3e0|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Google maps|language=en}}</ref> to Auckland and 1hr 45 mins to [[Kerikeri]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=|title=Book Bus Tickets Online|url=https://www.intercity.co.nz/book-a-trip|access-date=2021-05-02|website=www.intercity.co.nz|language=en-NZ}}</ref>

=== Railway ===
[[File:Whangārei railway yard.jpg|thumb|View of Whangārei railway yard from Porowini Ave in 2012]]
Whangārei is connected to Auckland and [[Otiria railway station|Otiria]] by the [[North Auckland Line|North Auckland line]], which carries freight only,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Northland rail rejuvenation|url=https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/what-we-do/projects/northland-rail-rejuvenation/|access-date=2021-05-02|website=KiwiRail|language=en-US|archive-date=23 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123015459/https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/what-we-do/projects/northland-rail-rejuvenation/}}</ref> the container transfer depot being at 33 Porowini Ave.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Whangarei|url=https://www.kiwirailfreight.co.nz/rail-freight/ct-site-locations/whangarei/|access-date=2021-05-02|website=KiwiRail|language=en-US}}</ref> From 1911 to 1933 it was also on the [[Onerahi Branch]].

==== Station ====
[[File:Whangarei_Railway_Station_(former).jpg|thumb|Whangārei railway station in 2017]]
The railway station lost its last scheduled passenger service on 15 September 1975,<ref name="SCOBLE">{{cite web|last=Scoble|first=Juliet|date=2010|title=Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations|url=http://www.railheritage.org.nz/assets/dates_and_names.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724032358/http://www.railheritage.org.nz/assets/dates_and_names.pdf|archive-date=24 July 2020|website=Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand}}</ref> although a "with-car" (goods train with a carriage attached) service lasted until June 1976.{{sfn|Brett|van der Weerden|2021|p=207}}

Restoration of the station by its [[Men's shed|Men's Shed]] occupant began in 2014<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 May 2014|title=City's old railway station getting back on track|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/citys-old-railway-station-getting-back-on-track/62UJ4Y3K6ZK7MPEMB5ZLRNJAZU/|access-date=2021-05-02|website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref> and was largely complete by 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Railway Rd|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-35.7313296,174.3238337,3a,37.5y,156.79h,91.21t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8kZwSq6Ie4_7KHVJ6mqcPA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192|access-date=2021-05-02|website=Google Maps|language=en}}</ref> Its [[George Troup (architect)#Standard Station designs|Type C]] design<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Whangarei Station|url=http://railheritage.org.nz/Register/Listing.aspx?c=21&r=11&l=215|access-date=2021-05-02|website=railheritage.org.nz|archive-date=2 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502225336/http://railheritage.org.nz/Register/Listing.aspx?c=21&r=11&l=215|url-status=dead}}</ref> was protected by a [[Heritage New Zealand#New Zealand Heritage List / Rārangi Kōrero|NZHPT Category II]] listing on 24 March 2006 (List Number 7646). The station was opened by the Minister for Railways, [[Gordon Coates]], on 11 March 1925.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Whangarei Railway Station|url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/7646|access-date=2021-05-02|website=www.heritage.org.nz}}</ref> Predecessor stations had been opened in 1880 and 1903.<ref name=":0" /> The 1880 station was about {{Convert|500|m|||abbr=on}} to the north, near Walton Street.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=1886|title=Town of Whangarei|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/37102809|access-date=2021-05-03|website=National Library of New Zealand}}</ref> The station was enlarged and a [[Railway refreshment room|refreshment room]] added in 1912.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 1912 |title=Local and general. Northern Advocate |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NA19120214.2.16 |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 December 1932 |title=New Zealand Railways Refreshment Branch |url=https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov07_07Rail-t1-body-d17.html |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref>

In 1929, the fastest train took 6 hrs 14 mins from Whangārei to Auckland.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 March 1929|title=Travel by rail |newspaper=[[Auckland Star]] |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19290325.2.246.1|access-date=2021-05-03|via=Papers Past}}</ref> From 1956, railcars reduced the journey to 4hrs 10 mins.<ref name="nzro113">{{cite magazine |author=T. A. McGavin|date=Spring 1967|title=Railcars No More to Whangarei, Tauranga or Westport|magazine=New Zealand Railway Observer|publisher=[[New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society]]|volume=24| issue =  3|page=88|issn=0028-8624}}</ref> In 1943, the distance was measured as {{Convert|129|mi|31|ch|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|date=2012|title=Station Archive|url=http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Station_Archive_4web.xls|website=Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=8 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208074340/http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Station_Archive_4web.xls}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
The Whangārei Art Museum is located in the Town Basin. Artisan markets are held at the nearby Canopy Bridge.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

The [[Hundertwasser Arts Centre|Hundertwasser Art Centre]] was built on the site of the former Northland Harbour Board building.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

The Quarry Arts Centre is located on the edge of the Western Hills in the Avenues.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

The Hātea Loop walkway is an accessible, circular walkway which connects Town Basin, William Fraser Memorial Park,Te Matau a Pohe, Canopy Bridge, Clapham's Clocks and Reyburn House gallery. The walkway offers marina views and various family friendly outdoor activities. {{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

The Whangārei Theatre Company (formerly WOADS) has been staging theatre productions in Whangārei since 1946.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/sixty-years-of-whangarei-theatre-company/YZYBPF74IAFICAJGRU5I6PKKXI/|title=Sixty years of Whangarei Theatre Company|newspaper=[[The Northern Advocate]] |date=17 November 2006}}</ref> They have currently made their home at the Riverbank Centre in the town basin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whangareitheatrecompany.org.nz/about|title=About|publisher=Whangarei Theatre Company|access-date=15 December 2020}}</ref>

Disruptive Performers (Theatre Group) was formed in 2019, and they staged their first production in November 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/humpty-dumptys-terrible-fate-debuts-in-whangarei-play-about-bullying/YYJDFHX7V53D2EHZIK3Z43QPQ4/|newspaper=[[The Northern Advocate]] |date=17 November 2020|title=Humpty Dumpty's terrible fate debuts in Whangārei play about bullying|first=Jodi|last=Bryant}}</ref>

Whangārei is home to many music organisations, such as Whangārei Youth Music,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whangareiyouthmusic.co.nz|title=Homepage|publisher=Whangārei Youth Music|access-date=22 November 2021}}</ref> the Northland Sinfonia, and Sistema Whangārei.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

==Education==
===Tertiary education===
[[NorthTec]], with its main campus located in the Whangārei suburb of [[Raumanga]], is the chief provider of tertiary education in the [[Northland Region]]. It offers degrees, diplomas and certificates in a wide variety of academic, professional and technical fields. The degrees are nationally monitored for quality and so can lead to postgraduate study at universities and other institutions. NorthTec has around 23,000 students studying either part-time or full-time.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

The [[University of Auckland]] maintains a campus in the city centre. There are also a number of private tertiary educational organisations that provide technical and vocational training.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

===Schools===
{{Further|List of schools in the Northland Region#Whangārei}}

There are several schools which offer secondary schooling education within the urban area. Most suburbs have their own primary school.
[[File:Whangarei Girls' High School.jpg|thumb|Whangārei Girls' High School]]

====Secondary schools====
* [[Whangarei Boys' High School|Whangārei Boys' High School]], a boys' secondary school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|15|y||y}} <small>({{NZ school roll data|||y}})</small>.
* [[Whangārei Girls' High School]], a girls' secondary school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|16|y||y}} <small>({{NZ school roll data|||y}})</small>.

:These two secondary schools have a [[Socio-economic decile|decile rating]] of 5 and cover years 9–13.<ref>{{TKI|15|Whangarei Boys High School}}</ref><ref>{{TKI|16|Whangarei Girls High School}}</ref> Both schools opened in 1881.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wbhs.school.nz/main.cfm?id=2558|title=Whangarei Boys' High School -Our History|publisher=Whangarei Boys' High School|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014074631/http://www.wbhs.school.nz/main.cfm?id=2558|archive-date=14 October 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wghs.school.nz/|title=Whangarei Girls' High|publisher=Whangarei Girls' High School|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629120712/http://www.wghs.school.nz/|archive-date=29 June 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* [[Kamo High School]], which accommodates years 9–13.
* [[Tikipunga High School]], which caters for years 7–13.

:Both of these are co-educational secondary schools serving the northern suburbs.
* [[Huanui College]], a private secondary school just out of the urban area in Glenbervie.
* Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rāwhitiroa. A Māori language immersion school catering for primary and secondary students.
* [[Pompallier Catholic College]], a catholic semi-private secondary school located slightly west of Whangārei in Maunu.

====Intermediate and primary schools====
There are two intermediate schools (years 7–8) in the urban area. Several primary schools offer education from years 1–8.
* Whangārei Intermediate is an intermediate (years 7–8) school with a roll of 639.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=1129|title=Te Kete Ipurangi – Whangarei Intermediate|publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]|access-date=16 March 2008|archive-date=11 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711180213/http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=1129}}</ref>
* Kamo Intermediate is a popular intermediate school serving the northern suburbs.

Primary schools in the urban area include Hurupaki School, Kamo Primary School, Totara Grove School (formerly Kamo East School), Tikipunga Primary School, Otangarei School, Whau Valley School, [[Whangarei School|Whangārei School]], a contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of 577,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=1130|title=Te Kete Ipurangi – Whangarei School|publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]|access-date=16 March 2008|archive-date=30 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930004130/http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=1130|url-status=dead}}</ref> Maunu School, Horahora School, Morningside School, Manaia View School (formerly Raumanga Primary and Raumanga Middle schools, amalgamated), Raurimu Avenue School, and Onerahi School.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

====Religious and state-integrated schools====
[[Pompallier Catholic College]] (opened in 1971) is a Catholic state integrated co-educational secondary school (years 7 to 13) with a roll of 560 and a decile ranking of 7, located in the suburb of Maunu. It is the only Catholic secondary school in Northland serving the wider district.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

[[Saint Francis Xavier Catholic School]], the city's Catholic primary school, located in the suburb of Whau Valley adjacent to the Catholic Parish.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Christian Renewal School is a composite state integrated co-educational secondary and primary (years 1–13) school with a roll of 201. Around 110 of those students are in high school (years 9–13), as of June 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=1138|title=Te Kete Ipurangi – Christian Renewal School|publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]|access-date=16 March 2008|archive-date=30 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930024506/http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=1138|url-status=dead}}</ref> The school was established in 1993 and integrated into the state system in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?district=2&region=1&school=1138|title=Ministry of Education – Education Counts|last=Counts|first=Education|website=www.educationcounts.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=2019-01-16}}</ref> The secondary half of the school is situated upstairs, and the primary downstairs. The school operates in the Christian Renewal buildings, beside the Renew Church work buildings and auditorium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/ERO\reppub.nsf/Institution/5479E079FDEDD817CC25701A0018D3EF/$File/1138.htm|title=Supplementary Review Report: Christian Renewal School|publisher=[[Education Review Office]]|date=May 2005}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

[[Excellere College]], a Christian school (years 1–13) located in the northern suburb of Springs Flat. One half of the school is secondary, and the other half is primary. There are 205 students at this school.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/population/trends?district=&region=&school=429|title=Ministry of Education – Education Counts|last=Counts|first=Education|website=www.educationcounts.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=2019-01-16}}</ref>

[[The Whangarei Adventist Christian School|The Whangārei Adventist Christian School]], located at Whau Valley Road, has been operating for some 50 years and is the second oldest of the independent Christian schools in Whangārei as well. It was formerly called the Whangārei Seventhday Adventist School. Over 30 students attend the school, as of June 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/population/age?district=2&region=1&school=4154|title=Ministry of Education – Education Counts|last=Counts|first=Education|website=www.educationcounts.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=2019-01-16}}</ref>

====Special school====
[[Blomfield Special School]] and Resource Centre provides education and care to students between the ages of five and twenty-one years,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/ERO\reppub.nsf/Institution/422D9D9A06EDBDFECC2573CD0011C5C8/$File/1007.htm|title=Education Review Report: Blomfield Special School and Resource Centre|publisher=[[Education Review Office]]|date=December 2007}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and has a roll of 68.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=1007|title=Te Kete Ipurangi – Blomfield Special School & Resource Centre|publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]|access-date=16 March 2008|archive-date=29 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929210653/http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=1007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The school operates from five locations, four in Whangārei and one in [[Kaitaia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blomfield.school.nz/school_page/locations.htm|title=Blomfield Special School – locations|publisher=Blomfield Special School|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014050549/http://blomfield.school.nz/school_page/locations.htm|archive-date=14 October 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Infrastructure and services==
===Healthcare===
Whangārei is within the Northland District Health Board. The single primary health care organisation (PHO), Te Kaupapa Mahitahi Hauora Papa O Te Raki Trust, commonly known as Mahitahi Hauora, was created in 2019 through a process of coming together with the previous Northland PHOs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mahitahihauora.co.nz/about-us|title=Providing support for primary health care across Northland – Mahitahi Hauora|website=www.mahitahihauora.co.nz}}</ref> Whangārei Hospital (formerly Northland Base Hospital) is Northland DHB's largest and provides secondary specialist care to all of Northland. It has 246 inpatient beds, and is based in the suburb of Horahora.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Mercy Hospital was established in 1963 by the Sisters of Mercy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercyhospital.org.nz/about-us/our-heritage/|title=Our Heritage|website=Mercy Hospital}}</ref>{{importance inline|date=May 2019}}

Kensington Hospital, opened in March 2001, is a private healthcare facility.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

===Utilities===
[[Northpower]] owns and operates the local electricity distribution network servicing the city, with electricity supplied from [[Transpower New Zealand|Transpower]]'s national grid at the [[Maungatapere]] substation southwest of the city. There is very little generation in Northland and Auckland, so most of the city's electricity is transmitted from the Waikato.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Natural gas arrived in Whangārei in 1983, with the completion of the high-pressure pipeline north from Auckland to the city, now operated by [[First Gas]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://gasindustry.co.nz/dmsdocument/5344 |title= The New Zealand Gas Story |publisher= Gas Industry Company |date= December 2016 |access-date= 31 October 2018 |archive-date= 2 February 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170202151245/http://gasindustry.co.nz/dmsdocument/5344 }}</ref> First Gas also operates the gas distribution network within the city.

==Sports==
{{more citations needed section|date=January 2021}}
Whangārei is home to the [[Northland Rugby Union|Northland rugby union]] team, a professional side competing in the [[Bunnings NPC]], the highest level of provincial rugby in New Zealand. They play out of [[Okara Park]] (currently known as "Semenoff Stadium" due to a sponsorship agreement), the largest stadium in the region, which also hosted two matches during [[Rugby World Cup 2011]]. The city also hosted a match on 3 June between a Provincial XV team (NZ Provincial Barbarians) and the British and Irish Lions during their 2017 tour.

[[Cobham Oval]] has hosted [[Black Caps]] [[one-day international]] cricket matches, with the first taking place in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/ground/441704.html |title=Cobham Oval |website=ESPNCricinfo |access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

The [[Association football|football (soccer)]] club [[North Force]] who compete in the [[Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1]] are based in Whangārei.

Whangārei has a [[Field Hockey]] facility that hosted several international matches. Several hockey players from Northland have been selected for the [[Black Sticks Women]] since 2000.

Whangārei is home to the northernmost [[parkrun]] in New Zealand. This is a free, weekly, timed 5&nbsp;km (3 mile), held every Saturday at 8am. The start and finish is under Te Matau o Pohe bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parkrun.co.nz/whangarei/|title=Whangarei parkrun – Weekly Free 5km Timed Run|publisher=parkrun New Zealand|access-date=12 January 2021}}</ref>

The [[International Rally of Whangarei|International Rally of Whangārei]] is based in the region with competitors from Australia, India, China, Japan, South East Asia and Pacific Islands racing on dirt roads in the districts surrounding Whangārei. It is the season opening event for both the [[Asia-Pacific Rally Championship]] and the [[New Zealand Rally Championship]] and is New Zealand's second-largest international motorsport competition, second only to the world championship event, [[Rally New Zealand]]. Whangārei Speedway attracts drivers from outside the Northland Region.

Northland is also represented at the highest national domestic level in golf.

The Northland rugby league team, representing the [[Northland Region]] in [[New Zealand Rugby League]] competitions, is based in Whangārei. They currently compete in the [[Albert Baskerville Trophy]] as the Northern Swords. Between 2006 and 2007 they were part of the [[Bartercard Cup]], playing under the name the Northern Storm. Northland was originally known as North Auckland and has previously used the nickname the Wild Boars.

==Notable people==
{{main category|People from Whangārei}}

==See also==
* [[Northland Emergency Services Trust]] (NEST)

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last1=Brett|first1=André|last2=van der Weerden|first2=Sam|title=Can't Get There From Here – New Zealand Passenger Rail Since 1920|publisher=[[Otago University Press]]|isbn=978-1-990048-09-8|year=2021}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{Commons category|Whangārei}}
* [http://www.wdc.govt.nz/ Whangārei District Council]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190607015502/http://www.whangareinz.org.nz/ Whangārei Information & Travel Centre]
* [https://whangareionline.co.nz/ Whangarei Online]

{{Whangarei District}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Whangarei}}
[[Category:Whangārei| ]]
[[Category:Whangarei District]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Northland Region]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in New Zealand]]