Moanarua
Moanarua | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motto: | ||||
 Location of Moanarua in New Duveland | ||||
| Country | New Duveland | |||
| Before federation | Colony of Moanarua | |||
| Establishment separation from New South Wales | 16 September 1839 | |||
| Responsible government | 16 September 1855 | |||
| Named for | Māori for "the land of two seas." | |||
| Capital and largest city | Tasbury | |||
| Administration | 42 local government areas | |||
| Demonym(s) | Moanaruan | |||
| Government | ||||
• Monarch | Charles III | |||
• Governor | Erihapeti Āporo | |||
• Premier | Mark Hākoni (NDLP) | |||
| Legislature | Parliament of Moanarua | |||
| Legislative Council | ||||
| Legislative Assembly | ||||
| Judiciary | Supreme Court of Moanarua | |||
| Parliament of New Duveland | ||||
• Senate | 10 senators (of 75) | |||
| 41 seats (of 200) | ||||
| Area | ||||
• Land | 119,610.6 km2 (46,181.9 sq mi) | |||
| Highest elevation | 3,404 m (11,168 ft) | |||
| Population | ||||
• December 2023 estimate | 6,111,306 (2nd) | |||
• Density | 51.09/km2 (132.3/sq mi) (2nd) | |||
| GDP (nominal) | 2024 estimate | |||
• Total | ND$378.955 billion (2nd) | |||
• Per capita | ND$62,008 (2nd) | |||
| HDI (2024) |  0.940very high · 4th | |||
| Time zone | UTC+11:00 (NDST) | |||
• Summer (DST) | UTC+12:00 (NDDT) | |||
| Postal abbreviation | MOA | |||
| ISO 3166 code | ND-MOA | |||
| Symbols | ||||
| Bird | Ōmokoroan gannet (Morus serrator) | |||
| Flower | Central Rata (Metrosideros umbellata) | |||
| Colour(s) | Navy blue, White, and Red | |||
| Mineral | Bauxite | |||
| Website | moa.gov.nd | |||
Moanarua is New Duveland's second most populated and with an area of 119,610.6 km2 third most densely populated province, with a density of 51.09 people per km2 and an overall population of 6.1 million. Moanarua is home to roughly a fifth of all New Duvelanders, with an additional 70% of residents living in the capital city, Tasbury. Moanarua is bordered by McKenzie to the east, Tasman to the north, Macquarie to the west on the Macquarie Peninsula, a small border with Devereaux to the north, and the Tasman Sea to the west. The provinces encompasses a range of climates and geographical features from warm-summer Mediterranean along the west coast, semi-arid in the inland west, to temperate and cool along the foothills in the east, and even has subarctic to tundra/alpine deep within high-altitude areas of the Southern Tasman Ranges.
The majority of the Moanaruan population is concentrated at the mouth of the Ōmokoroa Sea, specifically within the metropolitan area of the province's capital and the largest city in the province and all of New Duveland, Tasbury, where over 70% of the Moanaruan population live. The province is also home to two of New Duveland's 20 largest cities: Tasbury and Alexandria. The population is culturally diverse, with 35% on inhabitants being immigrants.
Moanarua is home to several major Māori Iwi, including the Hōkioi, Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Te Ata, Ngāti Pāoa, Tātarekaha, Waiohua, Wharehoka and the Whetūmatā, with several variations of the Māori language present until standardisation caught up years later. In 1770 James Cook claimed southern New Duveland for the Kingdom of Great Britain, and from 1788 the area that is now Moanarua was a part of the colony of New South Wales. The first European settlement in the area occurred in Macquarie (then part of what is now Moanarua), and Tasbury in 1799. Moanarua, and the rest of New Duveland, was established as a separate Crown colony by 1839, and achieving responsible government in the 1850s. The Moanaruan gold rush in the 1850s and 1860s significantly increased Moanarua's population and wealth. The provinces of Norfolk and McKenzie would be established as separate colonies by the 1860s and 1870s respectively, Tasman would only become a separate entity by the start of the 20th Century in 1903 when the Dominion of New Duveland was established with the four colonies unified under one government.
Moanarua has 41 seats in the New Duveland House of Representatives, and 10 seats in the Senate of New Duveland. At a provincial level, the Parliament of Moanarua consists of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. The Labor Party, led by Mark Hākoni, has governed Moanarua since 2017. The Governor of Moanarua, the representative of the monarch in the province, is currently Erihapeti Āporo. The province is divided into 42 local government areas, as well as several unincorporated areas which the province administers directly.
Moanarua's economy is the second largest in New Duveland with the highest GDP per capita among any other provinces, with a per capita rate of $62,008 USD, with a highly diversified economy with service sectors predominating. Culturally, Tasbury hosts a number of museums, art galleries, and theatres, and sport facilities, as well as being the spiritual home of Cricket and Rugby in New Duveland.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
Moanarua's etymology can be traced back to the Māori language. The word "Moanarua" is composed of two words, "moana" and "rua." The Māori word "moana" means "sea" and "rua" means "two" or "dual," therefore the name Moanarua translates to "the land of two seas." This refers to the Tasman Sea to the west and the inland Ōmokoroa Sea, which is located in the centre of the province.
The name Moanarua highlights the unique geographical location of the province, which is situated between two seas. The Tasman Sea is a body of water that lies to the west of the province, while the inland Ōmokoroa Sea is located in the central part of the province. The province is also home to several mountain ranges, including the Southern Tasman Ranges, the mountains of the Mahi Peninsula, the Leckie Ranges in the central part of the province, and the Serpent Ranges in the far north.
The name Moanarua reflects the importance of the sea to the Māori people, who have a strong connection to the ocean and its resources. The name also reflects the significance of the mountains, which were important landmarks for navigation and provided shelter, food, and spiritual significance to the Māori people.
History[edit | edit source]
Māori arrival and settlement[edit | edit source]
Māori have been living in the region since at least 1450, but may have bee as early as the 1300s, with various Iwi establishing themselves throughout the province, with the heaviest concentration found in southern Moanarua where the climate was more temperate. The most important area for various Iwi was controlling the Tomokangana (The Great Entrance) to the city being the opening to the Ōmokoroa Sea, which was an important and strategic location with its deep protected harbours providing ideal fishing stock accessible from both sides of the Mahi Peninsula. The region had fertile soils that facilitated horticulture and the Ōmokoroa Sea provided plentiful kai moana (seafood). Māori constructed terraced pā (fortified villages) on the many hills of the region. However, for most of the period Māori living in defended pā was a rare event, with most people living in undefended kāinga.
Some of the earliest archaeological sites in Moanarua are found on the southern side of Tasbury harbour, however it is likely that early Māori settled widely across the region. From early occupation until European contact, the economy of the region was centred around horticulture (mostly root vegetables such as kūmara (sweet potato)), fishing and shellfish gathering, and a significant agricultural presence is noted in the region as well. However, some areas such as Kaimai and Mt Pahoia had specialised areas to produce toki (stone adze).
The Ngāi Tai iwi, descended from the people of the Tainui canoe, settled in Maraetai. Other Tainui descendants were Te Kawerau ā Maki, who lived under forest cover in the Waitākere Ranges and controlled land as far north as the Kaipara, across to Mahurangi and down to Takapuna. The Ngāti Te Ata tribe was based south of the Manukau Harbour at Waiuku. Along the coast from Whangaparaoa to the Thames estuary was Ngāti Pāoa, a Hauraki tribe. The dominant power on the harbour was Waiohua, a federation of tribes formed under Te Hua-o-Kaiwaka.
From 1600 to 1750 the Tomokangana tribes terraced hills, building pā and developed 2,000 hectares of kumara (sweet potato) gardens. At the peak of prosperity in 1750, the population numbered tens of thousands. It was pre-European New Duveland's most wealthy and populous area. However, from the early 18th century conflict arose with neighbouring tribes that caused the area to devolve into petty warfare, with the Tomokangana tribes using the arrival of European colonists to their advantage to push back waring tribes as far east into the foothills of the Great Tasman Ranges.
Early contact and European settlement[edit | edit source]
The first settlement in Moanarua was in what is now called Macquarie, with a British penal colony established up in 1790, the first settlement of any kind in the New Duveland Mainland, and the second in all of New Duveland after Kingston on Norfuk Island. Whereas Kingston was quickly outgrown, and Macquarie was set up as a permanent settlement by the British Empire as a place to send convicts from England, who would then work to establish a settlement and infrastructure in the area. The harsh, isolated environment of Macquarie was intended to serve as a deterrent to would-be criminals in England, while also providing the empire with a strategic foothold in the Pacific. Tasbury would soon follow as the importance of settling the mouth of the Ōmokoroa Sea proved to be have great importance to the British, with a milder and more temperate climate than Macquarie it proved to have potential to provide much-needed timber and flax for the navy. The first free settlers that were originally bound for Macquarie would stop in Tasbury instead, as they had thought the location would be more suitable. The fleet consisted of over a thousand settlers, including 702 convicts.
The region has historical significance through visits by several early explorers. Among them, Jean-François de Surville in 1769 holds particular importance as the first European to document the west coast of the New Duveland mainland and Norfolk's west coast. James Cook, during his First voyage, explored from the southern tip of the mainland to the Macquarie Peninsula and then westward to Port Jackson, tracing crucial maritime routes. Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse, largely followed Cook's path to Sydney. Alessandro Malaspina's Expedition and the Baudin expedition to Australasia (1803-1804) further contributed to the exploration of the area. Land-based expeditions in 1806, led by Phillip Carrick, marked the initiation of the "Cashel Route" (Now the A3 Autoroute), connecting Tasbury to the newly established Lisburn colony on the McKenzie River to the east. This route traversed the mountainous Southern Tasman Ranges. By 1815, trails on both sides of the Mahi Peninsula to Macquarie and Newcastle had been established, with comprehensive exploration of much of the peninsula.
The first few years of the settlement in Macquarie were extremely difficult. The colonists struggled to establish a viable source of food, as the area's unfamiliar climate and geography made agriculture challenging. Furthermore, disease, malnutrition, and conflict with the local Māori population posed significant challenges to the survival of the colony. Many of the early colonists were also inexperienced and ill-prepared for the challenges of life in the new colony, further driving more arrivals to Tasbury. The Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie (who the city is now named after) would send naval vessels to Macquarie with the purpose of establishing contact with the Māori people and negotiating trade and diplomatic relations. With initial negotiations with local iwi successful, an increase in trade between New South Wales and New Duveland commenced. Attempts at establishing friendly relations with the Māori were also complicated by the actions of European whalers and traders, who often acted without regard for Māori customs and traditions. This led to conflict between the Māori and the Europeans, and Macquarie was unable to prevent these tensions from escalating.
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Free settlements would initially spread up the Mahi Peninsula, where soil around the settlement proved immaculate, and continued to provide harvests providing for constant growth of the colony. Former convicts received small grants of land, and government and private farms spread to the even more fertile lands around Ipswich, Preston and Hotham north up the Mahi Peninsula. A smallpox epidemic in April 1805 killed about half the Indigenous population of the Tasbury region. In March 1805 a group of Tomokangana survivors made their way to the settlement, establishing a continuous presence of Māori New Duvelanders in settled Tasbury.
The colony of Moanarua was formally proclaimed by Governor Phillip on 16 September 1839, with the capital in Tasbury. Tomokangana Point offered a fresh water supply and a safe harbour, which Philip described as being, 'with out exception the finest Harbour in the World [...] Here a Thousand Sail of the Line may ride in the most perfect Security'.
Gold Rush[edit | edit source]
The Moanaruan Gold Rush started in 1855 and lasted for just over a decade, and was largely centred in the north of Moanarua, centred largely in what is now Alexandria. The output of the gold rush was comparable to those in California and even larger than that of nearby Victoria, with the greatest yield for one year recorded over 4 million troy ounces were extracted from the diggings in 1859. From 1851 to 1899 the Moanaruan Mines Department reported over 100 million oz (over 2.8 million kg), leading to huge economic prosperity across the colony. At its peak, some two and a half tonnes of gold per week flowed into the Treasury Building in Tasbury.
The discoveries across Moanarua were most notable in Plymouth (then part of Moanarua), Alexandria, Fortuna Valley, Waterford, Halu, Kells and Tralee. The wealth exported back Britain helped pay off Britain's foreign debts and helped fuel the foundations of the Empire's enormous commercial expansion in the latter half of the century. With Tasbury at the centre of Moanarua's economy, numerous railways would be built radiating from the capital to the regional towns and ports across the colony.
During the gold rushes the colony faced numerous challenges, with rebellions on the gold fields such as the Akitio Rebellion in Alexandria, to separatists movements in far flung parts of the colony. With the French now also establishing colonies in the north of the mainland, several colonies would be declared separate entities which culminated in the colonies of Norfolk and McKenzie in the 1850s and 1860s respectively. Largely to counter the French colonies and encourage development in important areas around the colony, largely in Cascade and Lisburn. Smaller gold rushes would occur in these regions as well following separation from Moanarua.
The Akitio Rebellion, one of the earliest records of conflict on the gold fields, which drew in a rebellion against the British administration of the colony of New Duveland. With inspiration from the Eureka Rebellion, with Gold miners and local Māori iwi joining together to oppose the colonial government. While the rebellion was ultimately a failure, with over 30 miners and Māori dead, it did result in tax and electoral reforms across all colonies, and may have contributed to the separation of Norfolk and McKenzie.
The unprecedented economic prosperity of the colony catalysed remarkable expansion, marked by escalating immigration rates each year. Tasbury, benefitting from more lenient restrictions compared to the Australian colonies, emerged as one of the fastest-growing cities globally during this era. The influx of wealth propelled the establishment of an extensive shipping network, initially centred around Tasbury's Porowhita Quay. This vital hub facilitated connections across the Ōmokoroa sea, reaching settlements along both the Tasman Sea and beyond. Concurrently, rail networks experienced extensions to Macquarie, Plymouth, Waterford, Alexandria, Ōpōtiki, Cashel, and even extending as far as Lisburn. Porowhita Quay served as a critical nexus, fostering direct connections with major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Cascade, Auckland, and Wellington. While the economic output was largely centred between Tasbury and Macquarie, commitments to the colony's northern regions would squash resentments felt in the early 19th century. However, further north in Plymouth, the second largest settlement in Moanarua at the time, would lead to a successful separatist movement that would culminate by the start of the 20th century.
Early 20th Century[edit | edit source]
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The 20th century started with commotion, with the bubonic plague spreading from Tasbury's ports prompted the colonial government to modernise the wharves and demolish slums and shanty towns across the territory. It was by 1903 when the English colonies on New Duveland were united into a Dominion with the colonies transforming into Provinces and Tasman separating from Moanarua. Macquarie, the first established settlement of the New Duveland mainland would be declared the capital, while Tasbury remained the capital of Moanarua.
The outbreak of the Fist World War saw volunteers swamping Commonwealth authorities, which helped reduce unemployment rates as thousands of citizens were shipped off from Tasbury and Macquarie to help the war efforts alongside Australian and New Zealander forces to form the ANDNZACs. Largely assisting in the Gallipoli campaign. It was the first major war in which New Duvelander troops took part as it's own nation. Of the more than 100,000 Moanaruans (about half of all New Duvelanders that served were from Moanarua) that served during the war, about 15,000 would be killed and another 36,000 were wounded.
In commemoration of the fallen, numerous memorials were erected across the province, reflecting the profound impact of war on Moanarua. Following World War I, extensive social programs were instituted to support returning soldiers, aimed at providing "homes fit for heroes" in suburbs and towns throughout the region. By 1930, Moanarua's population had surged to one million, underscoring rapid growth but also revealing strains on infrastructure. In response to the challenges posed by the Great Depression, the government embarked on ambitious initiatives to stimulate job growth and counter mass unemployment. Notable among these efforts was a substantial investment in rail, tram, and road networks. Projects such as the expansion of Tasbury and Macquarie's suburban tram and railway networks were prioritized, alongside the removal of level crossings in urban areas. The completion of the iconic Koterataha Bridge in 1939 was a significant milestone, providing direct connectivity between both sides of Tasbury Harbour and catalysing intensive development in the southern regions of the province.
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During World War II, Moanarua played a huge rule in the war effort as the Ōmokoroa Sea proved to be a safe haven for ship manufacturing as there were numerous deep harbours available deep within the sea, and safe from the open ocean with Tasbury Harbour closely monitored for any Japanese infiltrations. Newcastle and Ōpōtiki would be the base of numerous ship building facilities and a manufacturing hub for the war efforts, with railway exports from Macquarie and shipping routes to Tasbury safe and secure. The harbour would be attacked numerous times by the Japanese during June of 1942, with Midget submarine attacks leading to over 20 deaths when they fired on a civilian ferry, known as the Attack on Tasbury Harbour.
A surge in industrial development would follow during war, and unemployment virtually disappeared and women moved into jobs previously typically reserved for males. Fortifications of the Tasbury Harbour by building numerous forts across Tasbury Harbour, the Hawke and Preservation Islands off Macquarie would be established to defend the province's largest civilian population centres.
Post-war era[edit | edit source]
Following the conclusion of the second world war, Moanarua witnessed a surge in its population, driven by waves of immigrations primarily from Southern Europe and the Mediterranean regions. Fuelled by post-war optimism, the province, like many others across the nation, experienced a period of robust economic growth, characterised by thriving centres of industry, commerce, and culture. The manufacturing sector emerged as a cornerstone of the provincial economy, with key industries such as steel production, shipbuilding, and auto-mobile manufacturing contributing significantly to Moanarua's prosperity. Notably, the expansion of Holden into the province during the 1950s, marked by local manufacturing operations, propelled exports to unprecedented heights. The establishment of the Holden Hotham Plant further bolstered local exports, representing one of four plants strategically positioned across New Duveland. This period of post-war expansion and industrial development reshaped Moanarua's economic landscape, laying the foundation for sustained growth and prosperity in the years to come.
In response to the escalating trend of low-density suburban residential development, the government initiated a series of contentious public housing projects within the inner city, spearheaded by the Housing Commission of Moanarua. These initiatives entailed the demolition of numerous neighbourhoods and the proliferation of high-rise towers across major settlements, aiming to address housing shortages and promote urban densification. Concurrently, the provincial government bolstered incentives for the construction of modern terraced housing, seeking to emulate the vibrant atmosphere of inner-city areas. However, in later years, the rapid proliferation of motor vehicle ownership precipitated a significant shift in urban development patterns. Investments in free-way and highway infrastructure catalysed accelerated outward suburban sprawl while concurrently witnessing declining populations in inner-city districts. This period marked a transformative phase in Moanarua's urban landscape, characterized by evolving housing policies and infrastructure investments that shaped the province's demographic and spatial dynamics.
During the 1963 Unification Act, with the Realm of Lapérouse and the Dominion of New Duveland unifying into the "The United Commonwealth Realm of New Duveland", the Moanaruan government agreed to transfer the entire Macquarie Peninsula to the Commonwealth on the 25th of March, 1963, resulting in Macquarie becoming a separate territory and becoming the capital of the new country. However, the decision to make Macquarie the capital was not without controversy. One of the main challenges was the city's predominantly English-speaking population, as the new government was required to be officially bilingual in English and French. As a result, French became the city's second language in 1963, and the city has since become more bilingual economically and socially.
With the province's rapid growth still accelerating, the extensive 1970 Tasbury Transportation Plan, as well as the 1970 Moanarua Transportation Plan resulted in extensive free-way networks, as well as extensive upgrades for rail and tram line extensions too. Despite the majority of the printed material being devoted to non-car transport, 56 per cent of the projected budget was devoted to roads and parking, with the other 44 per cent to other forms of transport. The plans recommended 300 kilometres of free-ways for metropolitan Tasbury, and along the Mahi Peninsula to Macquarie, as well as a number of railways. The underground city loop railways were constructed during this time, as well as the Thornbury-Southampton Thornbury-Southampton Line, Canterbury-Ipswich Line, Preston-Hotham Lines in metropolitan Tasbury, as well as regional lines along the Ōmokoroa Sea directly to Newcastle from Tasbury instead of diverting from Macquarie.
During the 80s and 90s, the provincial government focused on the efficient delivery of government services such as health, education, transport and electricity. There was an increasing emphasis on public-private partnerships to deliver infrastructure such as free-ways, tunnels and rail link, as well as new immigration policies that aimed to settle new arrivals into regional Moanarua, away from Tasbury. This resulted in pocket communities throughout regional cities of Alexandria, Newcastle and Ōpōtiki, largely consisting of Vietnamese, East-Timorese, Lebanese, Balkan and Indonesian communities. While large portions remained in the areas they settled, most would eventually make their was to Tasbury.
The opening of the Tasbury Harbour Bridge at the end of 1999 started the new millennium for Moanarua, and revolutionised transportation access from the south of the province and further connections to McKenzie, and linking transport routes on both sides of the Mahi Peninsula, further improving transit access in the most crucial bottleneck in New Duveland that is the Tasbury Harbour.
21st century[edit | edit source]
The 21st century welcomed continued growth, with multiple more crossings of the Tasbury Harbour opened, with the Ōmokoroa Bridge opening in 2004 and two underground railway lines near the existing Koterataha Bridge opening in 2012 to reduce congestion. The national NDLoop network would be established, first linking Tasbury to Espérance via Macquarie, Pokapūtaki and Toulon, greatly improving national connections to Moanarua. The province also hosted international events, including various matches of the 2017 AFA Alliance World Cup and AINVision Winter 2018. However, there would be no consequence to the province's growth, with the late-2000s financial crisis hitting the province hard, forcing the closure of several auto manufacturing sites causing knock-on effects to the province's economy as international companies began to pull out of the province. Local manufacturing for the province's new bus, tram and rail vehicles shifted a majority of the recently unemployed back into full-time work.
Moanarua was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Tasbury having one of the longest COVID-19 lockdowns in the world, lasting a total of 220 days over five separate lockdowns. While scrutinised at first, it has been attributed to saving many lives, many of which the most vulnerable and reducing the spread of the virus before vaccines could be wildly accessible.
Geography[edit | edit source]
Covering an expansive area of 119,610.6 km2 (46,181.9 sq mi), Moanarua stands as the fourth largest province in New Duveland, encompassing approximately one-fifth of the nation's total population. The province's northern boundary traces the course of the Puketeraki River as it flows into the Tapaera Lakes, marking the border with Tasman. Within this boundary, roughly three-quarters of Lake Tuari and half of Kahu Lake lie within Moanarua's jurisdiction. Continuing eastward, the boundary follows the Puketeraki River towards the Tasman Valley, which serves as a natural demarcation between the Northern Tasman Ranges and the Southern Tasman Ranges. It then extends along the Otahome and Tongaporutu Rivers until reaching the division between the Southern Tasman Ranges, forming the provincial border with McKenzie. Following the majority of this border's length, it eventually intersects with the Mangatua Valley, where the Mangatua River delineates the southern extent of Moanarua's territory, culminating at the river's mouth to the Tasman Sea.
Moanarua contains many topographically, geologically and climatically diverse areas, ranging from the wet, temperate climate of the Minora Plains in the south-east where Tasbury's southern metropolitan area largely resides, to the snow-covered Southern Tasman Ranges with over a hundred mountains taller than 3,000 m (9,800 ft) and home to several glaciers, with the province's tallest peak being Temaungama/Mt Néthou at 3,404 m (11,168 ft) tall, which is shared with McKenzie. There are extensive semi-arid plains to the west and north-west. There is an extensive series of river systems in Moanarua, with the most extensive being the Parahaka River in the centre of the province, with other notable rivers being: Kairakau, Otahome, Tora, Whirlow, Hauauru, Tongarino, Kairakau, and the Hakahaka Rivers.
Moanarua is renowned for the vast expanse of the Ōmokoroa Sea, spanning approximately 18,700 km2 (7,200 sq mi), making it one of the world's largest brackish water bodies. The province's capital and largest city, Tasbury, is strategically situated at the mouth of the sea, opening into the Tasman Sea, and hosts the nation's largest cargo port. The Ōmokoroa Sea exerts a moderating influence on the region's climate, maintaining a cool, oceanic environment that extends far inland compared to other areas of New Duveland. Coupled with the fertile volcanic soils cascading from the Southern Tasman Ranges, the sea contributes to some of the country's most fertile land. Geographically, the sea delineates Moanarua into four distinct regions: the Eastern Region characterised by the southern Tasman Ranges, the mountainous but dryer Northern Region the arid north-western areas, and the prominent Mahi Peninsula, often including the Minora Plains region. These geographic features define Moanarua's diverse landscape and contribute to its ecological and agricultural significance within New Duveland.
Climate[edit | edit source]
Moanarua has a varied climate despite its small size. It ranges from warm-summer Mediterranean along the west coast, semi-arid in the inland west, to temperate and cool along the foothills in the east, and even has subarctic to tundra/alpine deep within high-altitude areas of the Southern Tasman Ranges. The ranges, alongside the Ōmokoroa Sea, have great influence over Moanarua's climate.
The coastal regions surrounding the between the Ōmokoroa Sea and the Southern Tasman Ranges haves Moanarua's mildest climate. Air from the Southern Ocean helps reduce the heat of summer and the cold of winter. Tasbury and other large cities are located in this temperate region.
The north west of the province is the warmest region with hot winds blowing from arid regions up north. Average temperatures top 30 °C (86 °F) during summer and 15 °C (59 °F) in winter. Moanarua's highest maximum temperature of 48.8 °C (119.8 °F) was recorded in Woodlands on 7 February 2009, during the 2009 southern New Duveland heat wave. A screen temperature of 50.7 °C (123.3 °F) was recorded on 7 January 1906 in Waterford.
The Southern Tasman Ranges in the east are the coldest part of Moanarua. The Alps are part of the Great Tasman Range mountain system extending north-south along the border with McKenzie. Average temperatures are less than 0 °C (32 °F) in winter and below −2 °C (28 °F) in the highest parts of the ranges. The province's lowest minimum temperature of −19.5 °C (−3.1 °F) was recorded at the Temaungama/Mt Néthou station on 13 June 1965, and again at Makarora on 3 July 1970.
Rainfall in Moanarua increases from north to south, with higher averages in areas of high altitude. Median annual rainfall exceeds 4,000 mm (157 in) in some parts of the south east but is less than 600 mm (24 in) in the north west.
Rain is heaviest in the Tiniroto Highlands and the Mangatua Highlands of the Southern Tasman Ranges in eastern Moanarua and along the east coast of the Mahi Peninsula facing the Ōmokoroa Sea. Snow generally falls only in the mountains and hills in the east of the province. Rain falls most frequently in winter, but summer precipitation is heavier. Rainfall is most reliable in the south, east and central regions, making them both leading farming areas. Moanarua's highest recorded daily rainfall was 375 millimetres (14.8 in) at Tanybryn in the Tiniroto Highlands on 22 March 1983.
Snow season can last year-round in the highest of peaks in the east of the province, with a strong snow season falling into the foothills for a good 4-6 months of the year. Blizzards aren't uncommon at extreme altitudes, and help grow several glaciers and glacial lakes high up in the maintains, such as Lake Makarora, Lake Mangatua, and Lake Melrose. During intense winter Antarctic blasts, snowfall can reach places as low as hillside suburban areas of Tasbury, and can wreak havoc in unprepared areas.
Regions[edit | edit source]
Moanarua is divided into five distinct regions, most commonly for the purposes of economic development, while others for land management (e.g. agriculture or conservation) and for censusing (such as statistical or meteorological) or electoral purposes. Many regions have similar names and extents according to the different regionalisations, and the boundaries of regions can overlap even in popular usage.
In addition to Greater Tasbury, the Moanaruan Provincial Government has divided Moanarua into four regions covering all parts of the province, with the four regional Moanarua divisions being:
- Eastern-Southern Tasman Ranges - centred in Itingaro
- Northern-Otahome Region - centred in Fortuna Valley
- Mahi Peninsula - centred in Newcastle
- North-western-Tapaera Lakes - centred in Alexandria
National parks[edit | edit source]
Moanarua is home to several national Parks, among which the Te tihi o Wirama, Southern Tasman Ranges, Tapaera Lakes national parks stand out prominently, alongside numerous conservation parks and lands managed by the Department of Conservation. Te tihi o Wirama National Park attained recognition on the National Heritage List on 15 December 2006, acclaimed for its exceptional natural beauty and serving as one of the richest sites of Māori rock carvings in New Duveland. Many of these parks serve as crucial conservation areas for New Duveland's iconic animal, the Giant Moa, which once stood at a towering height of 3.6 m (12 ft), making it the tallest bird to have ever existed.
While Moa populations have dwindled in most regions, they persist in the mountainous eastern expanse of the province, where wildlife crossings in the Southern Tasman Ranges National Park ensure the protection of these endangered birds. In contrast to other parts of Moanarua, Tapaera Lakes National Park predominantly encompasses a coastal lagoon ecosystem, officially designated as Tapaera Lakes, which constitutes the most significant coastal lagoon region in the country. These national parks and conservation areas underscore Moanarua's commitment to environmental stewardship and the preservation of its rich natural heritage.
Demographics[edit | edit source]
As of June 2023, Moanarua boasted a population of 6,111,306 inhabitants. According to projections from the New Duveland Bureau of Statistics, the population is anticipated to expand significantly, potentially reaching 10.5 million by the year 2050 under current growth scenarios. Census records show that the province is on track to follow these projections, and by 2070 could also reach 13.5 million inhabitants, more than double the size of 2024.
Moanarua's demographic makeup reflects its rich cultural diversity, with a strong Māori presence constituting approximately 12% of the province's population. The colonial Anglo-Celtic population has been augmented by successive waves of migrantion, encompassing individuals from Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, and more recently, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. This demographic mosaic underscores Moanarua's status as a dynamic and cosmopolitan province within New Duveland.
Approximately 70% of Moanaruans are native to New Duveland, although this proportion decreases to around 60% in Tasbury and rises to over 95% in certain rural areas located in the northern part of the province. The majority of Moanaruans, surpassing 75%, reside in Tasbury, situated in the southern region of the province. The greater Tasbury metropolitan area boasts a substantial population estimated at 4,293,980 individuals. Beyond Tasbury, notable urban centers include Alexandria, Newcastle, Ōpōtiki, Bayview, Port Williams, Parahaka, Halu, Kells, Tralee, and Port Laoise, contributing to the province's diverse demographic landscape and urban development.
Moanarua stands as New Duveland's most urbanized province, with nearly 90% of its residents residing in cities and towns. In response to this urban concentration, provincial government initiatives have aimed at decentralizing the population, including an official campaign launched in 2003 to encourage Moanaruans to settle in regional areas. Despite these efforts, Tasbury continues to experience rapid population growth, outpacing regional areas. Significant investments in infrastructure, particularly increased rail connections, have facilitated greater regional residency for Moanaruans while maintaining city-based employment. The provincial strategy emphasizes redirecting growth away from the Mahi Peninsula and Greater Tasbury toward cities such as Alexandria, Ōpōtiki, Bayview, and Parahaka. These regions boast abundant natural resources capable of supporting populations rivaling that of Tasbury by 2050, aligning with the province's long-term development objectives.
Urban areas[edit | edit source]
| Largest cities or towns in Moanarua New Duveland National Statistics | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Name | Region | Pop. | Rank | Name | Region | Pop. | ||
Tasbury |
1 | Tasbury | Greater Tasbury | 4,293,980 | 11 | Port Laoise | Mahi Peninsula | 31,050 |  Newcastle |
| 2 | Alexandria | Greater Alexandria | 271,564 | 12 | Limerick | Riverhead Bay | 28,654 | ||
| 3 | Newcastle | Western Ōmokoroa | 144,246 | 13 | Brighton | Great South | 26,998 | ||
| 4 | Ōpōtiki | Northern Ōmokoroa | 106,358 | 14 | Summerlands | Hauauru | 25,641 | ||
| 5 | Bayview | West Bay | 57,542 | 15 | Elm | Great South | 25,589 | ||
| 6 | Port Williams | Great Lakes | 56,941 | 16 | Fortuna Valley | Northern Ōmokoroa | 24,069 | ||
| 7 | Parahaka | Northern Ōmokoroa | 46,045 | 17 | Taupiri | Hauauru | 21,992 | ||
| 8 | Halu | Hauauru | 37,900 | 18 | Waterford | Great Lakes | 21,384 | ||
| 9 | Kells | Northern Plains | 34,914 | 19 | Hawea | Eastern Ōmokoroa | 21,198 | ||
| 10 | Tralee | Northern Plains | 32,843 | 20 | Tinui Valley | Northern High Country | 20,575 | ||
Ethnic groups[edit | edit source]
Languages[edit | edit source]
Religion[edit | edit source]
Government[edit | edit source]
Constitution[edit | edit source]
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Local government[edit | edit source]
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Education[edit | edit source]
Primary and Secondary[edit | edit source]
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Utilities[edit | edit source]
Energy[edit | edit source]
Water[edit | edit source]
National parks[edit | edit source]
Sport[edit | edit source]
Culture[edit | edit source]
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