Rouse Motorcycles owner Shayn Rouse has seen many changes in Hikurangi over the last 30 odd years. Photo / Jenny Ling
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 ShaynRouse 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.
“You had the Four Square and the pub and the doctor’s and school — they were the only things that were open.”
Hikurangi was home to several coal mines, including the Waro mine which produced around 1500 tons each day. Photo / Jenny Ling
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.
“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.
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”.
“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.
