Rouse Motorcycles owner Shayn Rouse has seen many changes in Hikurangi over the last 30 odd years. Photo / Jenny Ling
There are many small towns dotted around Northland’s vast, rolling countryside. Reporter Jenny Ling hits the road and finds residents keen to talk about their hometown and the reasons they love it. Today, it’s Hikurangi .
The steady stream of cars and trucks driving through Hikurangi reminds Shayn Rouse of the days when State Highway 1 passed directly through his small town.
It’s usually a lot quieter than this, he reckons, but the closure, from November 11 to December 13 for road rebuild works, has ramped things up significantly.
After three decades of living in Hikurangi, Rouse, the owner of Rouse Motorcycles, has seen many changes.
Rouse worked in a motorcycle shop in Whangārei before the cost of living prompted a move 16km further north, with houses being a lot cheaper.
He also bought the building on the corner of King and George streets, known as ‘economics corner’ from the former Hikurangi Dairy Company.
What started as “a one-man band” repair shop has evolved into a thriving business selling and servicing a range of quad, farm, and off-road motorbikes and employing 15 people.
“Hikurangi was more of a ghost town back then, you could drive through the main street and watch the dust bundles blow through it.
“The shops were virtually all closed.
“You had the Four Square and the pub and the doctor’s and school — they were the only things that were open.”
Rouse is involved in the regular trail ride events held several times a year, which raise funds for community groups such as the fire service, Māori wardens, and Friendship House.
“I’ve always had a passion for motorbikes,” he said.
“It [the trail rides] brings all the community groups together over two days.
“The last one in November there were over 300 riders.
“It’s an evolving event. We’re trying to do it better all the time.”
Hikurangi began as a timber milling town in the 1860s and, when coal was discovered, was home to several coal mines, including the Waro mine, which produced about 1500 tonnes each day.
Rouse’s mother was born and bred in Hikurangi and his grandfather worked in the coal mines.
Rouse and his wife Jan lived in the town for 16 years, before moving to Hūkerenui, another small settlement further north.
He is also on the Hikurangi Business Association, which helps organise the annual community fireworks display.
What he loves is “all the people”.
“It’s a cool place”.
“There’s a lot to offer, a lot of different sports; we’ve got a rugby club, golf club, and there’s softball, netball and tennis.
“The community is slowly coming back together, making everything stronger.
“When we moved here we knew a lot of the neighbours, the original Hikurangi people. Since then, they’ve disappeared.
“A lot of people rented back then, it was a transient town.
“Now there are a lot of homeowners, and ownership is coming back to the community.
“When you’ve got ownership a lot of trouble disappears.”
Rachel Burnard from Village Real Estate was excited to be part of the Northern Advocate’s story about her “adorable” town.
“I’m so glad you called — I love Hikurangi!
“Give me 10 minutes, I’ll be right there.”
The independent real estate agent suggested sitting in the park to explain how she came to live in Hikurangi and what she loved about the place.
She began her career in Los Angeles, where she lived for 14 years before returning to New Zealand to settle down.
It was a mighty move from big city life to a town with about 1557 people, according to the 2023 New Zealand census.
“When I got together with my partner he’d bought a little run-down house on George St.
“I grew up in Whangārei, so I knew Hika ... it had a bad reputation back in the day.
“But it’s the coolest little town.
“All of our neighbours are amazing.
“It’s the kind of place where you know every single neighbour around.
“In the last six years, it’s become very boutiquey and adorable.”
Burnard, who has lived in Hikurangi for six years, is a volunteer on the library committee and the chairwoman of Friendship House charitable trust.
She likes that Hikurangi feels safe and has a diverse mix of people.
There are lots of community events, such as Easter and Matariki celebrations, and the community hall is booked with classes including Wednesday night Tai Chi.
“I love it here. We’re 20 minutes from beautiful beaches, and there are a lot of events that happen throughout the year.
“If you’re the kind of person who enjoys getting involved there’s lots of opportunities for that.
“But if you want to stick to yourself ... you can do that, too.
“When I’m selling a house to people the easiest part is telling them what the town has to offer.”
Then Burnard stopped to chat to tattooist Kane Hart, who she sold a house to.
Hart was out walking his two-year-old Cane Corso dog Sol, who is huge and eats 2.5kg of raw meat every day.
Hart [Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngātiwai] has been running his tattoo studio Ink By Hart Tattoo Studio for the past three years.
It’s the 30-year-old’s first business and is doing well, though he’s been tattooing himself and friends since he was 14.
Hart spent time at Native Ink Tattoo Studio in Whangārei as an apprentice, which he finished “when I was good enough”.
“People come from all over” to get his tattoos, he said.
“We get people coming from overseas; families that live in Australia but would rather come home to get tattooed.”
Apart from an elaborate tattoo that covers his head, which he admits “brought a few tears to my eyes”, Hart is most proud of his mataora [facial tattoo], which represents “my family, and where I’m from”.
“It’s part of my journey.
“I’m from Pipiwai and was brought up in Hika then moved away.
“I ended up back at home, bought a house, the business, and had kids.”
What Hart loves most about Hikurangi is that “it’s home”.
“It’s pretty chilled.
“It’s a small town; everyone knows everyone.
“We’re [the tattoo studio] the community hub.
“Everyone comes here to ask for help or ask directions or questions.
“It’s a pretty tight-knit community around here.”
Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with roading, lifestyle, business, and animal welfare issues.