99-873: Tīrau is a small town in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand, 50 kilometres southeast of Hamilton . The town has a population of 804 (2018 census). In the Māori language , "Tīrau" means "place of many cabbage trees ." Tīrau is a major junction in the New Zealand state highway network . Just south of the township is the intersection of State Highway 1 and State Highway 5 , where traffic from Auckland and Hamilton on State Highway 1 split to go either to Rotorua on SH 5, or continue along SH 1 to Taupō and beyond to Napier , Palmerston North and Wellington . State Highway 27 splits off State Highway 1 in
198-574: A Te Puea meeting house, and Waahi Pa and Tāne i te Pupuke meeting house. In October 2020, the Government committed $ 2,584,751 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Waahoi Marae and 7 other Waikato Tainui marae, creating 40 jobs. Horahora Marae and Maurea Marae are located north of Huntly at Rangiriri . Huntly covers 16.57 km (6.40 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 8,850 as of June 2024, with
297-520: A bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,650 (28.2%) people had no formal qualifications. 465 people (7.9%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,505 (42.8%) people were employed full-time, 651 (11.1%) were part-time, and 453 (7.7%) were unemployed. The statistical area of Huntly Rural, which includes Ohinewai , Ruawaro and Glen Afton , covers 351.21 km (135.60 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 2,370 as of June 2024, with
396-416: A double shed was then built there. By 1911 there were also sheep yards. 563 passengers bought tickets in 1894, 330 in 1895 and 308 in 1896, when the main import was coal and the main exports timber and sheep. It was renamed Tirau on 8 March 1886. In 1963 a new station in dark Huntly brick , with a storeroom, office, waiting room and platform for two railcars was built for about £4,800. Closure to passengers
495-460: A first pile driving ceremony in 1911, the punt (opened 18 September 1894) was replaced in 1915 by a road/rail bridge serving the Pukemiro railway. Tainui Bridge is a 7-span bowstring-arch for road traffic opened in 1959, when the 1915 bridge became rail only, and a footbridge was attached to its side. Tainui Bridge was strengthened in 2005 to allow 500 tonne turbines to be carried to
594-466: A land area of 23,901.09 km (9,228.26 sq mi) and a population of 536,200 (June 2024). The region encompasses all or part of eleven territorial authorities , the most of any region of New Zealand. It is centred on the Waikato which consists of Waikato District , Matamata-Piako District , Waipa District , South Waikato District and Hamilton City . In descending order of land area
693-620: A month by 1879, up from 5,300 tons a year in 1878. A mine across the river from Kupakupa was opened in 1879. On 12 September 1914 at the Ralph Mine in Huntly, a naked light caused an explosion that killed 43 coal miners. After the Pukemiro railway opened in 1915, mines opened at Pukemiro, Glen Afton , Rotowaro, Waikōkōwai and Renown. Open cast mining began west of Huntly during World War 2, and later an opencast mine at Kimihia. This
792-513: A much wider variety of food from the Thames area. Missionaries had also established schools for Māori. Benjamin and Harriet Ashwell ran a school for 50 Māori girls aged 6–17 at Taupiri in 1853. The girls had been at the school for up to 3 years and could read and write in English and do mental arithmetic. At the time of the Waikato campaign of 1863 against the rebel Māori King Movement forces,
891-694: A new name. They chose Tirau, which is the name of the hill to the south. The name was spelled without a macron until 2019, when the New Zealand Geographic Board made Tīrau the official name. Oxford railway station was at the site where the Kinleith Branch crossed Okoroire Rd The Thames Valley & Rotorua Railway Co. opened it on Monday 8 March 1886. The first train left Oxford at 7.50am and arrived in Auckland at 4.35pm, 133 mi 60 ch (215.2 km) away. Morrinsville
990-603: A number of hapū and iwi . The largest battle ever fought in New Zealand took place near Ohaupo about 1790–1805, between two competing alliances of hapū . During the latter stages of this volatile period, known as the Musket Wars (1807–1845), conflict led to a migration south to Taranaki and eventually Kapiti Island. In 1840 44 Waikato chiefs travelled north to the Manukau Heads and Manukau Harbour to sign
1089-547: A peak of 465,000 tonnes in 2004 and was digging about 450,000 tonnes a year until production was cut to 100,000 tonnes in September 2013. The mine entrance was in Huntly East, but by 2012 all mining was west of the Waikato, with roadways 150 metres below the river, the two 8 to 20 metre thick sub-bituminous seams being 150 to 400 metres deep. In 2012 it was estimated that 7 million tonnes of recoverable coal remained in
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#17328016767491188-582: A population density of 534 people per km . At the 2018 New Zealand census , Huntly had smaller boundaries, covering 14.56 km (5.62 sq mi). It had a population of 7,905, an increase of 1,056 people (15.4%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 1,149 people (17.0%) since the 2006 census . There were 2,607 households, comprising 3,891 males and 4,014 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.97 males per female, with 2,055 people (26.0%) aged under 15 years, 1,560 (19.7%) aged 15 to 29, 3,198 (40.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,089 (13.8%) aged 65 or older. In 2018
1287-447: A population density of 6.7 people per km . Before the 2023 census, Huntly Rural had a larger boundary, covering 353.23 km (136.38 sq mi). Using that boundary, Huntly Rural had a population of 2,271 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 171 people (8.1%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 126 people (5.9%) since the 2006 census . There were 822 households, comprising 1,197 males and 1,077 females, giving
1386-400: A rural settlement, which covers 1.69 km (0.65 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 910 as of June 2024, with a population density of 538 people per km. The settlement is part of the larger Tīrau statistical area. Tīrau had a population of 804 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 102 people (14.5%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 63 people (8.5%) since
1485-880: A separate kingdom – the King Movement or Kingitanga – in opposition to the government, the colonial government, with the help of troops brought from Britain and Queenite Māori loyal to the Crown, pushed south from the main settlement of Auckland , fighting against Waikato raiders in Auckland before venturing into the Waikato to attack the combined hapu of the King Movement. During 1863 and 1864 fighting occurred at Pukekohe East, Titi hill, Burtts Farm, Galloway Redoubt, Kiri Kiri, Martyn's Farm, Patumahoe, Rhodes Clearing, Williamson's Clearing, Otau, Camerontown, Kakaramea and Wairoa ranges (all Auckland), Meremere , Rangiriri, Ngāruawāhia, Rangiaowhia (southwest of Cambridge), Hairini Ridge and Ōrākau (near Kihikihi), all resulting in defeat for
1584-457: A sex ratio of 1.11 males per female. The median age was 40.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 486 people (21.4%) aged under 15 years, 396 (17.4%) aged 15 to 29, 1,086 (47.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 303 (13.3%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 81.0% European/ Pākehā , 29.1% Māori , 3.8% Pacific peoples , 2.9% Asian , and 1.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
1683-406: A stationmaster's house. In 1895 the stationmaster was moved to Putāruru and Tirau was downgraded to a flag station . However, by 1896 Tīrau also had a 4th class station , platform, cart approach, loading bank, cattle yards, 4-stall engine shed, urinals and a passing loop for 26 wagons (extended for 70 wagons in 1964). In 1898 it was recommended that the engine shed be moved to Grahamstown , though
1782-452: A variety of supplementary feeds in winter or during the infrequent summer droughts. Main feeds are hay, grass silage and chopped corn feed. The later is often fed out on a concrete pad to save transportation and wastage by trampling. The manufacturing sector in Waikato contributed $ 2,688 million in GDP in the year to March 2018, 11.1% of the regional GDP. According to the 2013 New Zealand census,
1881-486: A well-educated government agent, reported significant numbers of half-caste children in the Waikato in the late 1850s. However, in the Ngati Maniapoto iwi at least 7 Pakeha integrated successfully with the tribe from 1842, marrying Maori women. The best known are William Searancke, who became an important government agent, and Frenchman Louis Hetet, who became a successful trader. Their half-caste children lived with
1980-549: Is Lake Waikare . To the east, the land rises towards the forested slopes of the Kaimai and Mamaku Ranges . The upper reaches of the Waikato River are used for hydroelectricity , helped by several large artificial lakes in the region's south-east. The lowest and earliest-created such lake is Lake Karapiro , now developed as a world-class rowing centre, where the world championships were held in 2010. The river flows out of
2079-495: Is 30 mi 60 ch (49.5 km) away. Oxford was the terminus for a few months until 21 June 1886, when the line was extended south to Putāruru and Lichfield . On 3 days a week, from the start of the train service, a coach ran to Ohinemutu , at Rotorua . New Zealand Railways Department took over the line on 1 April 1886. By August there was a coal shed (23ft x 15ft, 50 tons capacity), 2 cottages, 60 ft (18 m) by 30 ft (9.1 m) goods shed, turntable and
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#17328016767492178-416: Is New Zealand's largest thermal power station, situated in the area which is New Zealand's largest producer of coal , producing over 10,000 tonnes a day. Huntly is also surrounded by farmland and lakes (many of them former open-pit mines) which are used for coarse fishing, yachting and waterskiing. The Waikato coalfield is formed of 30 -35m year old Eocene - Oligocene rocks. The lowest coal measures are
2277-454: Is rising slowly, but they're poorer and younger than the 37.4 years of the national average (the Huntly areas lost a lot of rural areas in the 2018 census, though gained small areas to the north, so that the 2013 population was 4,119, rather than 4,053 shown below for the smaller area in the East and 2,922 in the west, rather than 2,796. Except for population, the 2006 and 2013 figures below are for
2376-612: Is situated on the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) railway (served by Te Huia since 6 April 2021 at a rebuilt Raahui Pookeka-Huntly Station ) and straddles the Waikato River . Huntly is within the Waikato District which is in the northern part of the Waikato region local government area. Originally settled by Māori , European migrants arrived in the area some time in the 1850s. The Huntly name
2475-529: Is steeped in Māori history and falls within the rohe (tribal area) of Waikato -Tainui of the Tainui waka confederation. Ngāti Mahuta and Ngāti Whawhakia are the subtribes in the Huntly area. Waahi Pa in Huntly was the home of the Māori queen Dame Te Atairangikaahu and of her son the Māori king Tūheitia . Rakaumanga Native School was established in 1896. It was moved to its present site in 1974 to make way for
2574-538: Is taking the success of Tīrau's transformation over the past decade and linking it with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 new emphasis on the four well-beings , social, economic, environmental and cultural. The local Paparāmu Marae and Te Apunga meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Raukawa hapū of Ngāti Mōtai and Ngāti Te Apunga . Statistics New Zealand describes Tīrau as
2673-460: Is the low average wind speed in the interior basin due to the sheltering influence of the hills and mountains to the west and south-west. The prevailing winter wind is from the south-west. The Waikato has very high sunshine hours by world standards, averaging 2200 hours per year or about 40% higher than in the UK. This results in rapid growth of grass, crops and ornamental plants. Hamilton Waikato takes in
2772-620: Is the sole school in Tīrau. It is a contributing primary school (Years 1–6) and has 133 students as of August 2024. The nearest secondary school is Putaruru College, 8 kilometres (5 mi) south of Tīrau, in Putāruru . Waikato The Waikato ( / ˈ w aɪ k ɑː t ɔː / ) is a region of the upper North Island of New Zealand. It covers the Waikato District , Waipa District , Matamata-Piako District , South Waikato District and Hamilton City , as well as Hauraki , Coromandel Peninsula ,
2871-479: The 2006 census . There were 333 households, comprising 399 males and 402 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female, with 156 people (19.4%) aged under 15 years, 150 (18.7%) aged 15 to 29, 351 (43.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 153 (19.0%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 81.0% European/ Pākehā , 27.6% Māori , 1.5% Pacific peoples , 3.0% Asian , and 1.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. Although some people chose not to answer
2970-552: The 2006 census . There were 870 households, comprising 1,173 males and 1,161 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.01 males per female. The median age was 36.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 552 people (23.7%) aged under 15 years, 417 (17.9%) aged 15 to 29, 1,047 (44.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 321 (13.8%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 87.4% European/ Pākehā , 19.8% Māori , 1.4% Pacific peoples , 2.8% Asian , and 1.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
3069-810: The 2018 census , and an increase of 95,130 people (23.6%) since the 2013 census . There were 246,723 males, 250,380 females and 1,671 people of other genders in 180,006 dwellings. 2.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age was 37.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 100,743 people (20.2%) aged under 15 years, 93,111 (18.7%) aged 15 to 29, 218,808 (43.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 86,109 (17.3%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 71.7% European ( Pākehā ); 25.2% Māori ; 5.2% Pasifika ; 12.2% Asian ; 1.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
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3168-795: The Chiefs Super Rugby team and Waikato Mitre 10 Cup rugby team at Waikato Stadium and the Northern Districts Knights in domestic cricket at Seddon Park , both in Hamilton. Huntly, New Zealand#Bricks Huntly ( Māori : Rahui-Pōkeka ) (population 8,850 ) is a town in the Waikato district and region of the North Island of New Zealand. It was on State Highway 1 (until Huntly bypass opened in March 2020), 95 kilometres (59 mi) south of Auckland and 32 kilometres (20 mi) north of Hamilton . It
3267-830: The Kingitanga forces. Eventually the rebel King Movement forces pulled back to positions in the area to the south of the Punui River in South Waikato, still known as the King Country , after 19 defeats by the British. Rewi's Last Stand , one of New Zealand's first motion pictures, in 1925, portrayed an entertaining, fictionalized version of the Ōrākau siege. The headquarters of the Māori King Movement are now at Turangawaewae Marae at Ngāruawāhia . After
3366-661: The Taupiri Seams, worked at Rotowaro , the upper Kupakupa and Renown Seams having been largely worked out. The area has a very long history of coal mining, with both open cast and classical mines operating or having operated here. The major New Zealand clients for the mined coal are the power station and the New Zealand Steel mill at Glenbrook . The first coal to be mined was half a ton at Taupiri in 1849, followed by 32 tons in 1850, opposite Kupa Kupa, about 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Huntly, and coal
3465-793: The Waikato Catchment Board . The Waikato United Council , was formulated under the Local Government Act 1974 , but due to objections excluded Thames/Coromandel district, though otherwise covered the present extent of the region. It was set up under the Town and Country Planning Act 1977 and the Waikato Region Constitution Order 1980. WUC covered Hamilton City , Huntly , Ngāruawāhia , Cambridge , Te Awamutu , Matamata , Putāruru and Tokoroa boroughs, Matamata , Raglan , Waikato , and Waipa counties, Ōtorohanga and Waitomo districts. It took over
3564-441: The 1890s invention of refrigeration. Dairying and the completion of the main trunk railway line at the turn of the century lead to a small, steady increase in population. After 1900, dairy production in the Waikato continued to grow, exporting butter and cheese mainly to Britain. Following major floods in 1907, a Waikato River Board was formed in 1911. However, it was reported as ineffective in 1921 and ceased to operate, though
3663-762: The 1926 Kiwi tour of Great Britain finished his playing career at Wigan , playing a record 365 games in 9 years including a winning Challenge Cup final at Wembley in 1929. Post war players include Albert Hambleton , Reg Cooke , Graeme Farrar , Roger Tait , Ted Baker , Paul Ravlich , Tawera Nikau (Rangiriri) and, more recently, Wairangi Koopu (Taniwharau) and Lance Hohaia (Taniwharau). Other Kiwi players to come out of Huntly include Andy Berryman , Don Parkinson , Rick Muru , Kevin Fisher and Vaun O'Callaghan . The town has also produced numerous NZ Māori Rugby league representatives and two international referees; Arthur Harlock and Roland (Roly) Avery . Rail Bridge After
3762-660: The Hamilton Regional Planning Authority and mainly dealt with regional planning and civil defence. By 1989, WUC had committees for regional planning, civil defence, regional government, and the Waikato Regional Development Board. From 1987 it also included Thames-Coromandel District , Great Barrier Island , Hauraki Plains , Ohinemuri and Piako counties, and Morrinsville , Paeroa , Te Aroha and Waihi boroughs. On 1 November 1989, Waikato Regional Council
3861-779: The Kihikihi area by the introduction of such crops as peaches, maize and wheat. Missionaries brought in millers and helped Māori establish eight flour mills. These flourished until 1857, as they provided flour for the growing Auckland market in the 1850s and for a brief while were exporting to Australia. There were mills at Aotea , Kaitotehe , Karakariki, Kihikihi , Kirikiriroa , Kohanga, Kopatauaki, Mahoe , Mangaharakeke, Mangapapa, Mangarewarewa, Mangatawhiri , Matamata pā, Maungakawa , Maungatautari , Mohoaonui, Otawhao, Patetere, Rangataiki, Rangiaowhia , Taupō, Te Kopua, Te Rore , Tireke, Tuakau , Waitetuna , Whaingaroa and Whatawhata . The route used to travel to and from Auckland
3960-531: The Power Station, work which gained an award. Seismic strengthening was done in 2011. The bridge was repainted in 2016. A footbridge across Shand Lane, the 1978 SH1 bypass and NIMT links Glasgow St with Main St. The 14-tonne central span was raised from 4.8 to 5.25m in 2010 to provide clearance for Te Uku construction trucks. It was also closed twice in 2015, firstly for repainting, then again when
4059-670: The Treaty of Waitangi, officially making the Waikato area part of New Zealand. Three Ngāti Maniapoto chiefs signed, as did three Ngāti Haua chiefs but most signatories were Waikato. Chief Te Whero whero did not sign, "probably due to the lack of dignity compared to the Waitangi event". Unusually, the copy signed was in English. Between 1840 and 1860 the CMS missionaries of the Anglican church assisted Waikato Māori in revolutionising their economy in
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4158-499: The Waikato Region increased by 5 per cent per year compared with 3.2 per cent for the national average. This faster growth can be attributed to rapidly growing dairy and business services industries, facilitated by proximity to the Auckland city, the main international gateway for New Zealand. Given the suitable geography and climate, the Waikato economy is strongly based on agriculture, especially dairy. Dairy farming has been
4257-422: The Waikato use the nickname Mooloo to apply to themselves or to their region, particularly in relation to sporting endeavours. The word was likely first applied to the Waikato provincial rugby team . Its origin is related to the mascot of a pantomime-like milking cow used in parades, public events and sports matches — particularly rugby, reflecting the importance of the dairy industry to the region. Waikato hosts
4356-562: The arm of an excavator on a truck hit the bridge, requiring also temporary closure of SH1. Cameras and extra rails have been installed to improve safety, following stone throwing. Huntly has five co-educational schools. The rolls given here are as of August 2024. Huntly College is a state secondary school covering years 9 to 13, with a roll of 181. The college was opened in 1953. Huntly School and Huntly West School are state full primary schools covering years 1 to 8, with rolls of 196 and 113 respectively. St Anthony's Catholic School
4455-557: The average dairy herd in the Waikato has progressively increased. It was about 320 cows in 2012 and in 2016 was about 351 (total Waikato herd 1.41m cows), milked in either a herringbone or automated rotary cowshed so a large herd can be milked in under two hours. The cows are kept on grassland pasture all year due to the mild climate. In the Waikato the original English grasses used by earlier settlers – browntop , fescue and Yorkshire Fog – have been replaced with higher producing Italian ryegrass and nitrogen-fixing white clover. Farmers use
4554-592: The building of Huntly Power Station . It became one of the first bilingual schools (Māori/English) in New Zealand in 1984. It became a kura kaupapa (total immersion, Māori as its first language) in 1994 and is now known by the name Te Whare Kura o Rakaumangamanga. There are a number of marae in and around Huntly, affiliated with the Ngāti Kuiaarangi , Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Tai and Ngāti Whāwhākia hapū : Kaitumutumu Marae and Ruateatea meeting house, Te Kauri Marae and Karaka meeting house, Te Ōhākī Marae and Te Ōhākī
4653-427: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 65,295 (16.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 212,241 (53.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 101,277 (25.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 40,300, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 40,746 people (10.2%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
4752-435: The census's question about religious affiliation, 56.7% had no religion, 29.9% were Christian , 1.5% had Māori religious beliefs , 1.1% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 66 (10.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 186 (28.7%) people had no formal qualifications. 81 people (12.5%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
4851-408: The coal deposits. Brick making began in 1884, Huntly Brick and Fireclay was established in 1911 and Shinagawa Refractories continues on the site at the south end of the town. Nearby, Clay Bricks operate a brickworks. Huntly has a proud rugby league history – at one time the town had four rugby league clubs: Taniwharau , Huntly South, Huntly United and Rangiriri Eels. Taniwharau has been one of
4950-497: The colonial provinces of New Ulster (1841–1853) and Auckland (1853–1876) but was principally Māori. During the land wars of the 1860s, the Waikato was the scene of five battles in what is referred to as the Invasion of the Waikato . In retaliation for the help Waikato Māori (mainly Ngāti Maniapoto ) gave Taranaki Māori in their conflict over land in the earlier First Taranaki War , and the decision by some Waikato hapu to form
5049-631: The consented mining areas, with a further 12 million available for future expansion. Coal was mined by remote-controlled continuous miners and taken to the entrance in shuttle cars and then by conveyor belt. It continued to Glenbrook via the Kimihia branch railway and the NIMT . It employed about 200 in 2012, but was down to 68 at closure. Kimihia Wetland was created on the former bed of Lake Kimihia to cope with subsidence and treat water from Huntly East Mine. Clay suited for bricks lies on top of some of
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#17328016767495148-979: The country's largest lake, Lake Taupō , which is served by several important fishing rivers such as the Tongariro , on the Central Plateau , draining the eastern side of Mount Ruapehu and its neighbours. The climate is mild and temperate with moderate rainfall of 1,200 to 1,600 mm (47 to 63 in) per annum, with the higher western hills having the most rain. Summers are drier with typical maximum temperatures of 22–28 degrees Celsius and overnight lows of 12–16 degrees. Summer droughts occur one year in ten. Typical winter maxima are 10–16 degrees Celsius, with lows generally ranging from 0–8 degrees. Depressions experience regular morning fog, under anticyclonic conditions, which burns off by late morning to produce many still, clear sunny days. Morning frosts are also common during winter anticyclones. Another distinctive feature
5247-418: The east of the coastal hills lies the broad alluvial plain of the Waikato River. This region has a wet temperate climate, and the land is largely pastoral farmland created by European settlers draining the extensive natural swamps, although it also contains undrained peat swamp such as the 200 km (77 sq mi) peat dome south of Ngatea. It is in the broad undulating Waikato Plains that most of
5346-533: The elevation of the first Māori king there was a wide range of opinions among influential Māori with some such as Wirimu Tamihana's father advocating supporting the Crown while Te Heuheu of Tuwharetoa advocated all out war against the government. This view was initially unpopular as the king movement hoped to work alongside the crown. Māori were upset at the number of children that had been fathered by Pakeha, who had then disappeared. The children were left to be raised by their mothers with general hapu support. John Gorst,
5445-486: The eleven territorial authorities are Taupō District (part), Waikato District, Waitomo District (part), Thames-Coromandel District , Ōtorohanga District , South Waikato District, Matamata-Piako District, Waipa District, Hauraki District , Rotorua Lakes District (part), and Hamilton City. The name for the region is taken from the Waikato River ; waikato is a Māori word traditionally translated as "flowing water" (specifically, wai = "water" and kato = "the pull of
5544-534: The end of the Australian gold rush, allowing importing of cheaper food, especially flour, from Australia. Even in the boom time of 1854–55, food grown by Waikato Māori, such as Ngāti Maniapoto, was taken to the Auckland market in very small amounts compared to food from the Waiheke Island -Thames area. In early 1855 Ngāti Maniapoto took only 3 canoes of potatoes to Auckland compared to 279 canoes containing
5643-634: The end of the war and the withdrawal of British and Australian troops, the region experienced a long period of economic recession after 1866. Most Māori had moved to the King Country and European settlers were more attracted to the South Island with its large gold discovery in Otago and the more easily farmed Canterbury Plains. The Waikato had poor land access and was not suitable for sheep farming which dominated livestock production in New Zealand until
5742-456: The extent of the region is the Waikato River catchment. Other major catchments are those of the Waihou , Piako , Awakino and Mokau rivers. The region is bounded by Auckland on the north, Bay of Plenty on the east, Hawke's Bay on the south-east, and Manawatū-Whanganui and Taranaki on the south. Waikato Region is the fourth largest region in the country in area and population: It has
5841-570: The former Rose Bros. grocery store building. Many other businesses followed suit off the back of his success throughout the 1990s until today. Tīrau has built a reputation as a shopping destination for antiques, collectibles and other niche items. In 2005/06 the South Waikato District Council is working, on behalf of the Tīrau Ward, in conjunction with the community, to develop a concept plan for Tīrau's future. This project
5940-407: The government's expense. This upset the older chiefs, who wanted the strong Māori leader Te Wherowhero to return from Mangere to his lands at Tamahere (South Hamilton) to rein in the out-of-control young chief magistrates. The Waikato has a prominent history, particularly regarding relationships between Māori and European in early colonial New Zealand. The Waikato was within the defined boundaries of
6039-576: The hotel and store. 94 lots in the township, which it had been planned to sell in 1891, were offered for sale in 1882. In the 1886 census, Oxford had a population of 48 in the 1896 census, 27 in 1891 and 127 in 1911. Oxford was a name given to the proposed township when it was sold by McLean & Co in 1881. It may have been to identify it as a sister town to Cambridge . Oxford changed its name to Tirau on 23 May 1896. To avoid confusion with Oxford in Canterbury, Piako County Council had been asked for
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#17328016767496138-448: The iwi, and some became leading figures. What tipped the balance was conflict and criminal activity within the Waikato region. Influential chiefs said the treaty had promised the government would help maintain peace. They asked for government magistrates and courts. The government attempted to fulfil these requests but many of the young men who put themselves forward for the positions simply saw that they had an opportunity to get wealthy at
6237-426: The larger areas) – The proportion of people born overseas was 12.3%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.2% had no religion, 30.3% were Christian , 4.5% had Māori religious beliefs , 1.6% were Hindu , 0.6% were Muslim , 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 513 (8.8%) people had
6336-544: The local government areas of Hamilton City, the southern part of Waikato district, Waipa district, most of Matamata-Piako district and the South Waikato district. Hamilton Waikato tourism takes in additionally the northern part of Waikato district (Tuakau and other centres), the northern King Country (Waitomo and Ōtorohanga districts), and the Te Aroha district. The parts of Waikato region beyond these limits are usually identified as Thames Valley and/or Hauraki/Coromandel (for
6435-684: The main agricultural activity since the late nineteenth century. Within the Waikato region, small co-operative dairy companies were widespread during the 20th century. Towards the end of the 20th century, frequent mergers of co-operative dairy companies occurred, which ultimately ended in the formation of New Zealand wide dairy co-operative Fonterra in 2001. In 2007, dairy farming and dairy processing combined contributed $ 2 billion (13%) to GRP, which had risen to $ 2.4bn by 2014, but only 13,683 (7.6%) of jobs in 2016. Dairy farms are mainly family owned (2,608 of 4,020 farms in 2016) with owners employing sharemilkers in many cases (1,412 sharemilkers). The size of
6534-403: The main ethnic groups were - Prior to that, Huntly's population was 844 (1896), 622 (1901)), 850 (1906), 1,319 (1911), 1,535 (1916), 1,734 (1921), 1,745 (1926), 1,976 (1936), 2,870 (1945), 4,187 (1956), 5,401 (1966), 6,279 (1976), 7,158 (1981) 7,464 (1986) 7,152 (1991), 7,068 (1996), 6,819 (2001). Huntly included two statistical areas in the 2018 Census, East and West. The population
6633-589: The most successful clubs having won 11 straight Waikato premierships during the 1970s and 1980s. Taniwharau also won the inaugural Waicoa Bay championship in 2002 and again in 2007 a year in which they went through the season unbeaten; a feat that has never been achieved before at the Waikato premier level. The Waicoa Bay championship is a combined rugby league competition involving clubs from Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Coastlines. A number of New Zealand players have come out of Huntly including pre war players Tom Timms , Richard Trautvetter and Len Mason who also, after
6732-529: The need for a replacement was considered in 1933. Hauraki Catchment Board was set up in 1946. Major floods also occurred in 1953 and 1956. Waikato Valley Authority was established by the Waikato Valley Authority Act on 26 October 1956. The Water and Soil Conservation Act 1967 extended it to become a Catchment/Regional Water Board. The Ministry of Works and Development Abolition Act 1988, left WVA with that work and it became
6831-491: The north of the town, providing a route north to the Coromandel Peninsula and an alternative route to Auckland, bypassing Hamilton. Tīrau is primarily a farming town but in recent years has begun to exploit the income that comes from being at a major road junction. The small community of Okoroire (with hot springs) is located just north of Tīrau. Okoroire railway station was over 4 km (2.5 mi) to
6930-490: The north-eastern part of Waikato region) and Taupō, on the Volcanic or Central Plateau (for the south-eastern part of the region). Waikato Region covers 23,900.95 km (9,228.21 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 536,200 as of June 2024, with a population density of 22 people per km . Waikato Region had a population of 498,771 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 40,569 people (8.9%) since
7029-675: The northern King Country , much of the Taupō District , and parts of the Rotorua Lakes District . It is governed by the Waikato Regional Council. The Waikato stretches from Coromandel Peninsula in the north, to the north-eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu in the south, and spans the North Island from the west coast, through the Waikato and Hauraki to Coromandel Peninsula on the east coast. Broadly,
7128-554: The population was estimated by the government at about 3,500 Māori. During the late 1850s Maniapoto in particular become disgruntled in their dealings with Pakeha. They complained about the way they were treated in Auckland by traders but their chief complaint was that the government was underpaying them for land they were selling. The average price paid by government was 6d per acre but it was sold to settlers for 10/- per acre. The government argued that it had to pay for surveying and administration costs but to Māori it seemed unfair. Before
7227-405: The region's population resides, and the land is intensively farmed with both livestock, mainly dairy cattle but with sheep farming on the hillier west margins, and crops such as maize. The area around Cambridge has many thoroughbred stables. The north of the region around Te Kauwhata produces some of New Zealand's best wines. Dozens of small shallow lakes lie in this area, the largest of which
7326-435: The river current in the sea"). When Waikato is used in spoken language some people use it in the definite article , "the Waikato", whereas some people do not use "the". It is unknown why a difference is made. "The" usually refers to a smaller region than the Waikato local government region. Two definitions that would meet with wide acceptance are those of the Waikato rugby football union and of Hamilton Waikato tourism. To
7425-525: The sea route across the Manukau to Ihumatao (where Auckland International Airport is now). The main tribe to use this route and the main traders were the Maniapoto tribe. They occupied an area of fertile land south of Te Awamutu at Kihikihi and Rangiaowhia. Maniapoto sold wheat, peaches, potatoes and other food to Auckland and bought back shirts, sugar, tobacco and rum. The boom time ended in 1856–1857 with
7524-749: The sector employed 18,519 people, or 9.9% of the region's employed population. With a large dairy farming industry, the Waikato also has a large dairy processing industry. Fonterra operates dairy processing plants at Te Rapa , Te Awamutu, Hautapu , Waitoa , Tīrau and Lichfield . Other dairy processing plants include Tatua Dairy Company 's plant at Tatuanui , and Open Country Dairy's plant at Horotiu and Waharoa . The Waikato region has eight major freezing works : AFFCO at Horotiu, Greenlea at Hamilton and Morrinsville, Silver Fern Farms at Te Aroha and Waitoa, Te Kuiti Meat Processors and Universal Beef Packers at Te Kuiti, and Crusader Meats at Benneydale. The Kinleith Mill south of Tokoroa processes wood from
7623-483: The shops feature corrugated iron sculptures by local artist Steven Clothier and two large buildings are completely made from this material; the information centre which is shaped like a giant dog, and the neighbouring sheep and ram building - earning Tīrau the title of "Corrugated Capital of the World". The Castle, a large toy museum on the town's southern limits which opened in 2000, can clearly be seen when heading towards
7722-487: The southern parts of Franklin District. That seems to be the only legislation naming it 'Environment Waikato', which had been its operating name until 2011, shortly after the 'Rates Control Team' won about half the seats in the 2010 election. In the 2010 local government elections, the Waikato Region had the country's lowest rate of returned votes. Since then the percentage turnout has declined further. The people of
7821-569: The surrounding forests into pulp and paper. Before the arrival of Europeans, the Waikato contained the third most densely populated part of New Zealand, after Northland/Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. The Waikato rohe (area) was inhabited by iwi (tribes) such as those of the Tainui confederation, including Waikato and Ngāti Toa . Between about 1750 and 1842 the area was subject to a large number of invasions by other Māori iwi and hapu confederations and large scale population migrations took place by
7920-536: The township from Rotorua or Taupō . The Tīrau dairy factory is New Zealand's only producer of lactalbumin , a key ingredient in the production of sports supplements. Tīrau is governed locally by the South Waikato District Council . Nationally, Tīrau is part of the Taupō general electorate and the Te Tai Hauāuru Māori electorate. The Royal Hotel ran coaches twice a week from Cambridge from 1882. By 1924 AARD
8019-483: The urban and peri-urban areas). The region also includes the smaller towns of Huntly , Matamata , Morrinsville , Ngāruawāhia , Ōtorohanga , Paeroa , Putāruru , Raglan , Te Aroha , Te Kauwhata , Te Kūiti , Thames , Tīrau , Tuakau , Tūrangi , Whangamatā and Whitianga . The subnational gross domestic product (GDP) of the Waikato region was estimated at NZ$ 25.84 billion in the year to March 2019, 8.5% of New Zealand's national GDP. The subnational GDP per capita
8118-505: The west of the springs. In the 19th century, Tīrau, then known as Oxford, was originally planned as a township. However plans were changed after the entrepreneurial Rose family bought up large areas of land in the region, with the intention of making large returns when it came of high demand. Oxford later became a rural service town. Oxford Royal Hotel opened on 15 April 1881. A store followed in June, but by September 1881 Oxford still only had
8217-618: The west, the region is bounded by the Tasman Sea . The coastal region is largely rough hill country, known locally as the Hakarimata Range , though it is more gently undulating in the north, closer to the mouth of the Waikato River. The coast is punctured by three large natural harbours: Raglan Harbour , Aotea Harbour , and Kawhia Harbour . The area around Raglan is noted for its volcanic black sand beaches and for its fine surfing conditions at Manu Bay and Ruapuke beach. To
8316-405: Was $ 34,200, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 285 people (16.0%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 969 (54.3%) people were employed full-time, 252 (14.1%) were part-time, and 81 (4.5%) were unemployed. Huntly Power Station is a large gas/coal-fired power station, prominently situated on the western bank of the Waikato River . It
8415-417: Was $ 36,800, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 336 people (18.9%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,005 (56.4%) people were employed full-time, 282 (15.8%) were part-time, and 48 (2.7%) were unemployed. The town is now a well known tourist stop-off, and is characterised by many art works created out of corrugated iron . The church and many of
8514-446: Was 10.4, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.0% had no religion, 28.8% were Christian , 1.5% had Māori religious beliefs , 0.7% were Hindu , 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.2% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 168 (9.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 462 (25.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
8613-448: Was 13.9, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.7% had no religion, 33.2% were Christian , 0.9% had Māori religious beliefs , 0.1% were Muslim , 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.7% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 234 (13.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 408 (22.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
8712-521: Was adopted in the 1870s when the postmaster named it after Huntly, Aberdeenshire , in Scotland . He used an old 'Huntley Lodge' stamp to stamp mail from the early European settlement. The word Lodge was later dropped and the spelling changed to also drop the additional 'e'. The railway from Auckland reached Huntly in 1877, when the Huntly railway station was opened. Huntly and its surrounding area
8811-420: Was also discovered at Papahorohoro, near Taupiri. However, it wasn't being exploited when the geologist, Ferdinand von Hochstetter , visited it in 1859. It was used to fuel steamers during the 1863 invasion of the Waikato . Kupakupa mine was started in 1864 and produced 11,000 tons by 1866. The area was confiscated in 1865. It was auctioned by government in 1867. Taupiri Coal Co was producing 1,300 tons
8910-638: Was by dray to the Puniu stream, along the Waipā River to its junction with the Waikato. Near the Waikato Heads travellers entered the small Awaroa River . During summer it was necessary to push or pull the waka through to the Manukau Harbour at Waiuku. By the 1850s a small bullock track had been established to Auckland via the settlements of Mauku, Drury, Papakura and Otahuhu, or waka could take
9009-503: Was established by the Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989. from 40 former authorities: - 2 catchment boards (Hauraki and Waikato), 3 united councils (Waikato, Thames Valley and part of Tongariro ), 12 noxious plants authorities, 11 pest destruction boards and 12 drainage boards. The Land Transport Act 1998 added transport to WRC's responsibilities. From 1 November 2010 Environment Waikato took over
9108-459: Was estimated at $ 54,128 in the same period. In the year to March 2018, primary industries contributed $ 3.14 billion (13.0%) to the regional GDP, goods-producing industries contributed $ 5.70 billion (23.5%), service industries contributed $ 13.35 billion (55.0%), and taxes and duties contributed $ 2.08 billion (8.6%). Between 2000 and 2004, Waikato economic growth was lower than the national average. But from 2004 to 2007, real gross regional product for
9207-544: Was fed to a 6,000 imp gal (27 m) brick tank, supplied from the Oraka Stream, about 90 ch (1.8 km) to the south, by a Blake hydraulic ram . Similar towers remain at Lichfield and Ngātira . Fonterra still moves freight by rail from its Tīrau factory, which runs a very large anaerobic digester . In 1991, local business man Henry Clothier took advantage of the town's relatively cheap real estate and high traffic volume by opening an Antique shop in
9306-446: Was on 12 November 1968 and to goods, except private siding traffic, on 29 March 1981. In 1989 the station was derelict, but still had a low level platform. The main remnant of the station, alongside Prospect Avenue, is an NZHPT Category II listed (on 5 September 1985, List Number 4230) brick water tower . Opening of the station was delayed a week as the water supply wasn't complete. Like other Thames Valley & Rotorua stations, water
9405-399: Was running a regular bus between Hamilton and Rotorua, via Tīrau. In 2018 47% of those in the Tīrau statistical area said they drove to work, 30% worked from home, 4% walked and 0.5% cycled. An Urban Connector bus runs twice a day between Tokoroa and Tīrau, via Putāruru and Lichfield. Tīrau is also served by InterCity buses to Auckland, Gisborne, Hastings and Wellington. Tīrau Primary School
9504-556: Was spoken by 95.9%, Māori language by 6.3%, Samoan by 0.6% and other languages by 12.4%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 21.7, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 30.6% Christian , 2.2% Hindu , 1.2% Islam , 1.8% Māori religious beliefs , 0.9% Buddhist , 0.5% New Age , 0.1% Jewish , and 2.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 53.5%, and 7.4% of people did not answer
9603-632: Was that 200,928 (50.5%) people were employed full-time, 53,667 (13.5%) were part-time, and 12,165 (3.1%) were unemployed. The largest city in the Waikato Region is Hamilton , with an urban population of 192,000 (June 2024). It is home to the University of Waikato and the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec). Other major towns in the region are Tokoroa , Te Awamutu , Cambridge and Taupō with respective populations of 14,650, 14,150, 22,500 and 27,000. (These populations include
9702-458: Was that 333 (51.4%) people were employed full-time, 87 (13.4%) were part-time, and 27 (4.2%) were unemployed. Tīrau statistical area covers 293.10 km (113.17 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 2,680 as of June 2024, with a population density of 9.1 people per km. Tirau had a population of 2,334 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 228 people (10.8%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 138 people (6.3%) since
9801-407: Was the last mine operating in Huntly (off Riverview Rd), producing 24,708 tonnes in 2016. It was a privately owned mine, opened in 1957 and mainly selling to New Zealand Steel. It closed in 2018. Puke Mine and Rotowaro are the only mines still open in the Huntly area. Solid Energy closed this Huntly mine on 22 October 2015, saying it was losing $ 500,000 a month. It opened in 1978, produced
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