How Te Hāpua thrives in isolation at the top of Aotearoa

Te Hāpua in the Far North is the country's northernmost settlement, home to around 300 residents.

There are no shops, motels or buzzing streets between the rolling dunes and calm stretch of the Parengarenga Harbour.

Instead, there are just a handful of homes that make up the country’s northernmost settlement, Te Hāpua.

The quiet, self-reliant community of about 300 residents have a life shaped by isolation and endurance.

Angela Lazarus, a teacher at Te Hāpua School, knows life in the small settlment well.

She was born in the town, moved to Auckland as a child but returned when she was 12.

Te Hāpua school overlooks Parengarenga Harbour. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya

Now she is a teacher at the settlement’s only school, with about 20 primary-aged students.

Lazarus helps in the community, which makes her familiar with the joys and challenges of life in the remote town.

She said daily life consists of weekly, and for some fortnightly, grocery runs that mean a 90-minute trip south to Kaitāia.

“We do have little dairies and that in between and there is a Four Square in Pukenui,” Lazarus said.

“But to get a really good shopping trip most people go to Kaitāia.”

Te Hāpua is New Zealand's northernmost settlement and home to around 300 residents. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya

The long drive means keeping an eye on the fuel gauge and hoping your tyres hold up.

“If you get a flat tyre you have to go all the way to Kaitāia, but what good is that if I got a flat tyre here?” Lazarus said.

The travelling doesn’t come cheap and a trip for groceries can cost $100 just to get to the destination.

“That $100 alone could be kai money.”

Lazarus said while things could be better, the community managed because it was so resilient.

Though peaceful, the isolation comes with real challenges.

Jobs are scarce, power cuts are common and emergency services can take hours to arrive.

Depending on where the ambulance is at the time, it may take them up to three hours to reach Te Hāpua.

“Sometimes the ambulance comes all the way from Taipa,” Lazarus said.

In life-threatening or serious situations, a rescue helicopter is sent.

Those realities and unique challenges have pushed Te Hāpua to become more self-reliant over the years.

“There are quite a few people here that have had intense first aid training,” Lazarus said.

“We have had a lot of little projects happening within the community in different areas that are helping the bigger picture of resilience.”

The wharf will soon host the annual bombing attraction. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya

Fire and drought remain the community’s biggest worries.

“We are surrounded by bush, and it’s really beautiful but it’s also high and makes it a huge fire risk,” Lazarus said.

Recently a volunteer team, raised from within the community, has stepped up and is cutting response times, giving locals peace of mind.

Before the team was assembled, neighbours would rush over to do what they could while waiting for the nearest emergency service, the Houhora Firefighters, to make the long trip from Pukenui.

Nine locals now train weekly to handle fires, crashes and medical calls in the remote settlement.

Despite the long drives, patchy services and tough moments, Lazarus said she and many others in the community wouldn’t have it any other way.

“They tried to get a tourist attraction going but I don’t think the community would like that. It would change it too much and we are happy as it is.”

Lazarus said they are looking forward to the festive season, which will see a local parade, community picnic and bombing competition off the wharf.