Kaeo

The township of Kaeo lies some 22 km north of Kerikeri in Northland, New Zealand. The town takes its name from the unique shellfish found in the nearby Whangaroa Harbour.

The town is prone to flooding as it is built on the flood plain for the Kaeo River. It came to national attention in 2007 when it took the brunt of three major floods within the space of a few months - in February, March and July. Water flooded homes and shops and destroyed the local Primary School's pool-complex. The local Rugby Clubrooms also suffered, and the club received much support from the whole country as it raised funds to lift the clubrooms off the ground to minimise the risk of damage from further flooding. Landslips, fallen power lines, and road closures resulted from heavy rain in February 2008. Flood protection work is scheduled for later in 2008^[1]

The 2006 New Zealand census reported a population of 495, unchanged from 2001.^[2]

Kaeo has a BP petrol-station, a pharmacy, a Farm and Fuel store, a bookshop, eateries, a hairdressers, a bus company, mechanics (2), a tyre shop, a transport company, a Sanfords Fishery factory, a 4-Square shop incorporating a Post Office, a Primary School with around 90 students and a College (High School).

Education

Kaeo Primary School, a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school, has a decile-rating of 3 and a roll of 90.^[3] The school dates from 1877; it moved to its current site some years later. In 1941 it became Kaeo District High School, taking both primary and secondary students. After the opening of Whangaroa College in 1969, Kaeo School became a primary school.^[4]

Whangaroa College, a coeducational secondary (years 7-15) school, has a decile-rating of 2 and a roll of 154.^[5]

Kaeo also has a amatuer football team competing in the Northland 1st Division. Coached & Managed by Local Italian. Stefano Virgili.