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Waikato
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Waikato is the name of a region in the
North Island of
New Zealand. Exact boundaries of the region depend largely on the use of the name, but in all cases it refers to an area around the city of
Hamilton, New Zealand and extending along the banks of the
Hamilton, New Zealand and extending along the banks of the
Waikato River.
Different definitions
The Waikato local government region
The
Waikato Region is a
local government List of regions in New Zealand|region on the western side of the North Island. It stretches from
Lake Taupo and northern
King Country in the south, up to the
Coromandel Peninsula and the boundary with the
Auckland (region). The region has an area of 25,000 km
2, and an estimated
Auckland (region). The region has an area of 25,000 km
2, and an estimated
2004 population of 381,900.
The Waikato region (general use of term)
The term
Waikato is likely to generally include only a part of the local government region, excluding areas around the Coromandel Peninsula and
Thames Valley, New Zealand|Thames Valley in the north and around and to the north of
Lake Taupo in the southeast.
The Waikato District
Waikato also refers to the district administered by the
Waikato (district), New Zealand|Waikato District Council. This covers the towns of
Ngaruawahia,
Huntly, New Zealand and
Raglan, New Zealand.
The Waikato River
The Waikato refers to the long river from which the region gets its name. Waikato is a
Maori word meaning
flowing water.
Geography
In 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, New Zealand,
Raglan, New Zealand,
Aotea_Harbour, and
Kawhia Harbour. The area around Raglan is noted for its
volcanic black sand beaches, and also for its fine
surfing conditions.
To the east of the coastal hills lies the broad
floodplain of the Waikato River. The region has a wet temperate climate, and the land is largely rich farmland, although it also contains undrained
peat swamp. It is in the broad
Waikato Plains that most of the region's population resides, and the land is intensively farmed with both livestock (mainly
dairy cattle) and crops (such as
maize). The area around
Cambridge, New Zealand has many
Cambridge, New Zealand has many
thoroughbred stables.
The north of the region around
Te Kauwhata produces some of New Zealand's best
wines. Several shallow lakes lie in this area, the largest of which 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, and several large artificial lakes are found in the region's southeast.
History
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the western North Island contained some of the most densely populated parts of New Zealand, inhabited by
iwi such as
Ngati Toa and
Tainui.
The Waikato has a prominent history, particularly regarding relationships between Maori and European in early colonial New Zealand. During the
Land Wars of the
1860s, the Waikato was the scene of major bloodshed in what is referred to as the
Invasion of the Waikato. Largely in retaliation for Waikato Maori helping Taranaki Maori protect their land in the earlier
First Taranaki War, the colonial government — with the help of troops brought from Britain — pushed south from the main settlement of
First Taranaki War, the colonial government — with the help of troops brought from Britain — pushed south from the main settlement of
Auckland,_fighting_several defensive lines organised by the combined
iwi of the
King Movement. During
1863 and
1864 fighting occurred at
Meremere, Ngaruawahia, Rangiaowhia (southwest of Cambridge) and at Orakau (near Te Awamutu). Eventually the King Movement's forces pulled back to positions in the area to the south of the Waikato, still known as the
King Country. The Orakau siege was immortalised in one of New Zealand's first
motion pictures as
Rewi's Last Stand in
1925.
The National
Marae,
Turangawaewae, is at Ngaruawahia. It is the seat of the Maori Queen,
Te Atairangi Kaahu.
People
Cities and towns
The city of
Hamilton, New Zealand is the major centre, with a population in
Hamilton, New Zealand is the major centre, with a population in
2005_of_115,000 to 120,000. It is home to
Waikato University. The towns of
Matamata,
Tokoroa,
Te Awamutu and
Cambridge, New Zealand each have between 10,000 and 15,000+ people in the actual townships and surrounding rural areas.
The region also includes the smaller towns of
Huntly, New Zealand,
Huntly, New Zealand,
Morrinsville,_Ngaruawahia,_
Otorohanga, New Zealand,
Otorohanga, New Zealand,
Putaruru,_
Raglan, New Zealand, Raglan, New Zealand, Te_Kauwhata, Te Kuiti, and Tirau.
Other towns within the Waikato government region, but outside the normally accepted Waikato area, include Waiuku, south of Auckland; Paeroa, Te Aroha, Thames, New Zealand, Thames, New Zealand, Whangamata,_and_Whitianga around the Thames Valley and Coromandel Peninsula; and the city of Taupo (population 21,000) and town of Turangi in the southeast.
The people of the Waikato occasionally use the nickname Mooloo to apply to themselves or to their province, 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 - partucularly rugby, reflecting the importance of the diary industry to the region.
Famous sons and daughters
- Jim Bolger — former Prime Minister of New Zealand
- Helen Clark — current Prime Minister of New Zealand
- Don Clarke — Rugby international
- The Datsuns — rock band
- Tim and Neil Finn — songwriters and musicians (Split Enz, Crowded House)
- Rangimarie Hetet — of Oparure Marae. Died 103 yrs regarded as living treasure of Maori handcrafts, with honorary degrees.
- Dame Malvina Major — acclaimed international singer
- Bruce McLaren — motor racing driver and team founder
- Colin Meads — rugby international
- Richard O'Brien— writer of the international cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Eva Rickard — of Tainui descent; leader and defender of Maori land rights
- Hilda Ross — humanitarian, first woman elected to the Hamilton Borough Council, MP
- Frank Sargeson — celebrated NZ writer.
- Dame Catherine Tizard(nee Mclean) — Former Mayor of Auckland and first womanGovernor-General of New Zealand
- Mark Todd (equestrian)|Mark Todd — Olympic equestrian
- Te Atairangi Kaahu — current Maori Queen
- Te Puea Herangi — Maori princess and leader
- Te Rauparaha — Maori chieftain and warrior
External links
- Environment Waikato / Waikato Regional Council
- Tourism Waikato
-
This category is for articles relating to the geography of the Waikato region of New Zealand.
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