History
The town is named after timber merchant and politician Joseph McMullen Dargaville (1837-1896). It was founded during the 19th century kauri gum and timber trade, and briefly had New Zealand's largest population.
The area became known for a thriving industry that included gum digging and kauri logging, which was based mainly at Te Kopuru, several kilometres south of Dargaville on the banks of the Northern Wairoa river. The river was used to transport the huge logs downstream to shipbuilders and as a primary means of transport to Auckland.
One of the town's most notable former residents is musician, arranger, composer and music producer Mike Perjanik, who has enjoyed a distinguished musical career in Australia over the last forty years.
Read more about this topic: Dargaville
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