Ramarama, New Zealand

Ramarama was originally only bushland and also there was a pā site inhabited by the Ngāti Pou tribe of the Māori. It also hid pathways between Tamaki, Hauraki and the Waikato. In the 1850s, the British built the Great South Road through the land. At the time of the Waikato War, the area was known as Sheppards Bush. The Te Maketu Waterfall is hidden behind the Pratts Road Cemetery. Reverend McDonald wrote a book on it called The Well Known Secret of the Waterfall. • Country Women's Institute The Ramarama branch of the Country Women's Institute, like many women's CWI groups across New Zealand supported the women and their families in the area. First formed in Ramarama on 10 May 1933, it took a very active part in raising money for the building of the Ramarama Hall. They held a Queen Carnival and took an active part in all other fund raising for the project. The Northern Military District Convalescent Depot, opened in December 1942 as a place for troops to recover. It was between Ramarama and Bombay. In late 1945, ash from Ruapehu polluted the water supply of The Grand Chateau and patients who had been housed there were evacuated to what then became Raventhorpe psychiatric hospital. At the 1951 Census 278 people were living at the hospital. The hospital closed about 1991 and the land was sold, to become what is now Martyn Farm Estate. ==Demographics==

Ramarama statistical area, which also includes Paerata, covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Ramarama had a population of 2,931 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,119 people (61.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 1,143 people (63.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,509 males, 1,416 females and 9 people of other genders in 1,008 dwellings. 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 39.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 558 people (19.0%) aged under 15 years, 510 (17.4%) aged 15 to 29, 1,428 (48.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 435 (14.8%) aged 65 or older. ==Education==

Ramarama School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8) with a roll of as of The school was founded in 1867. ==Places of interest==

Te Maketu Falls – This is a tranquil waterfall about five minutes' walk from Pratts Rd Cemetery. With a large swimming hole at the base of the waterfall, it is an awe-inspiring place to walk to, have a swim or photograph. Pratts Road Cemetery – A place to remember the dead, especially soldiers who fought in the war '''St Brigid's Church site''' – This is the site of the Catholic Church that was closed down in 1969, 45 years after it was opened in 1924. As most of the English and Irish immigrants were Catholic it was decided that a church be opened for bible and Sunday school sessions. ==Notable people==

• Jane Mander, novelist, was born in Ramarama on 9 April 1877. ==References==