Athenree
Athenree | |
|---|---|
Rural settlement | |
Athenree Homestead | |
| Coordinates: 37°26′38″S 175°57′47″E / 37.444°S 175.963°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Western Bay of Plenty District |
| Ward | Katikati-Waihi Beach Ward |
| Community | Waihi Beach Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Western Bay of Plenty District Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Western Bay of Plenty | James Denyer |
| • Coromandel MP | Scott Simpson |
| • Waiariki MP | Rawiri Waititi |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.26 km2 (0.49 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024) | |
• Total | 920 |
| • Density | 730/km2 (1,900/sq mi) |
Athenree is a coastal town in the Western Bay of Plenty District of New Zealand. It is on the northern side of Tauranga Harbour, and separated from Waihi Beach by the Waiau River on its north and east side.
The area includes a holiday park with hot springs and Athenree Wetland, which includes a walking track.
The settlement was named for Athenry in Country Galway, Ireland by settlers arriving in 1878, including Captain Hugh Stewart (a brother of George Vesey Stewart) and his wife, Adela Blanche Stewart, who wrote a book about her experiences called My Simple Life in New Zealand. The settlement was initially successful due to the 1878 opening of the Martha gold mine in Waihi, and later because of dairy farming.