Kaitangata, New Zealand
| Kaitangata | |
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 Kaitangata
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| Coordinates: 46°16′S 169°51′E / 46.267°S 169.850°ECoordinates: 46°16′S 169°51′E / 46.267°S 169.850°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Otago |
| Territorial authority | Clutha District |
| Population (2013 census) | |
| • Total | 762 |
| Postcode | 9210 |
| Area code | 03 |
Kaitangata is a town near the coast of South Otago, New Zealand, on the left bank of the Clutha River ten kilometres south east of Balclutha. The town is known to its residents simply as Kai.
In June 2016 the town gained international attention when new low cost housing was offered there, and local mayor of Clutha District, Bryan Cadogan, estimated there were 100-1000 job vacancies in the region; the news was carried by The Guardian and TVNZ's Seven Sharp.
The town sits close to the coast on one of the branches of the Clutha River's delta. The small island of Inch Clutha lies immediately to the southwest of the town. Close to the town to the north lies the small Lake Tuakitoto, which drains into the Clutha via a small stream which runs to the west of Kaitangata.
In 1863 there were only 29 eligible voters in the wider district, which included Inch Clutha and Matau. By 1865 the population for the wider area was given as 403 males and 253 females - a total of 656. Considerable expansion took place with the arrival of rail and the local population sought to have the town proclaimed a Municipality in July 1878. Kaitangata was within Bruce County at the time.
According to the 2006 census, the usually resident population of Kaitangata was 810, an increase of 21 since 2001, but by 2013 this had fallen to by 48 to 762. 50 years earlier in 1956 the population was 1,286. The town is largely of European descent, with well below the national average of people recorded as being non-European (7.1%).
Initially access to Kaitangata was by boat up the Clutha River. When road access was being improved at considerable expense in 1862 there was opposition in favour of a steamer service on the river. In 1862 the town was described as a port of entry with a customs house.
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