Whangamōmona is a township in the Stratford District and Manawatū–Whanganui Region of New Zealand. It lies on State Highway 43, the "Forgotten World Highway", north-east of Stratford and south-west of Ōhura. By rail it is from Stratford on the Stratford-Okahukura railway line.
Demographics
Whangamōmona statistical area covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km<sup>2</sup>.
Whangamōmona had a population of 159 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 33 people (26.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 9 people (6.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 90 males and 69 females in 66 dwellings. 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 44.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 33 people (20.8%) aged under 15 years, 18 (11.3%) aged 15 to 29, 75 (47.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 33 (20.8%) aged 65 or older.
History
thumb|Whangamomona Railway Station circa 1916
thumb|Panorama overlooking Whangamomona circa 1916
The first European settlers arrived in 1895, with the town proper established two years later. Growth of the town was seriously affected by the deaths of 51 men (including some from the smaller nearby settlements of Kohuratahi and Tahora) in the First World War and a major flood in 1924.
Republic Day
As part of the 1989 local government reforms Whangamomomona was included in the Manawatu-Wanganui Region since the Whangamōmona River is a tributary of the Whanganui River. Residents objected, as they preferred to become part of the Taranaki Region, and on 1 November 1989, they responded by declaring themselves the "Republic of Whangamomona" at the first Republic Day. Though the move began as a pointed protest, the town continued to hold a celebratory Republic Day once a year, during which a vote for president was held. The day has become a local festival day, and attracts visitors from throughout the North Island. In 2001, the celebration became biennial, held in January to take advantage of the summer weather.
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