Amenities - Brief History
The Eastern seaboard of Waihi Beach was a jewel in times past as it provided a smorgasbord of plentiful fruits of the forest and land as well as spoils of the sea. Maori occupation of the area by the Iwi of Ngati Hako and Ngati Tokanui is believed to have occurred during the 1500’s. They lived along the coast, in harbours, beaches and estuaries of the coastline. It is recorded that there was an extensive Pa located towards the coastal headlands at the northern end of Waihi Beach – part of what is now known as Orakawa reserve. Midden sites and the remains of temporary housing were uncovered during the earthworks phase of creating the Maranui Subdivision. Shells from the middens are now spread around the traffic Island at the top of Mahuo Road within the subdivision.
The early European pioneers of the district were Adela and Hugh Stewart. The land containing Maranui Estate was part of the original Stewart land. Since the late 1800’s this land has been farmed. During the late 1800’s and 1900’s Waihi Beach and the Athenree area had become small residential villages as well as coastal holiday resorts. During the early 1900’s the township of Waihi Beach was developed by the Waihi Borough Council as a rest and recreation town for recuperating mine workers. By the mid 1900’s the council started to sell sections to out side parties. The population at the Beach has grown to approx 3,200 at the last census. This population swells to approx 12,000 in summer months.
The entire Maranui Estate subdivision comprised 83 new residential lots and was undertaken during 2004 to 2006. The intention of the roading and section layout and design was to utilise the elevated contours on the then farm land to create broad outlooks across the Bay of Plenty towards Mayor Island and beyond to Mt Maunganui; the same elevations that early Maori are recoded as using as look out points. The Maori word Maranui translates to mean wide-open spaces or wide-open gardens. The other important aspect of the design was to create very generous reserve areas within the subdivision so that the area would always have a relaxed coastal feel. Approximately 35% of the original land area is contained in reserves within the subdivision | 
