Maora

Maora is a rural settlement in the Thames–Raymond Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It lies on the northern side of the Maniototo estuary, approximately 20 km east of the township of Thames and 15 km north of Ōtāne. The locality is situated on the banks of the Waiapu River and is surrounded by rolling hills that are part of the Hauraki Plains pastoral belt.

The name Maora derives from the Māori language and is commonly interpreted as “big hunting ground” or “great clearing.” The area was traditionally inhabited by the Tainui iwi, with evidence of Māori occupation dating back several centuries before European settlement. During the 19th century, European pastoralists established sheep and cattle farms. The construction of the Thames railway line in the 1870s facilitated the movement of livestock and grain, contributing to the modest growth of the settlement.

Maora’s population is small, with the 2018 New Zealand census reporting approximately 150 residents. Most inhabitants engage in agriculture, especially dairy farming, which is a major component of the local economy. The local community is served by the Maora Hall, a multi-purpose facility that hosts social events, sporting matches, and community meetings.

The settlement is accessible via State Highway 25, which connects it to the larger centres of Thames and Orewa. Despite its limited size, Maora plays a representative role in illustrating the rural development patterns of the North Island’s inland coastal regions.