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Waikato

Region in North Island, New Zealand
(Redirected from Environment Waikato)
For other uses, see Waikato (disambiguation).

The Waikato (/ˈwaɪkɑːtɔː/) 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, the northern King Country, much of the Taupō District, and parts of the Rotorua Lakes District.[7] It is governed by the Waikato Regional Council.

Waikato
Waikato
Region
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File:Waikato Region location in New Zealand.svg|250px

poly 974 64 1035 153 1030 194 1177 417 1258 352 1233 271 1213 230 1209 202 1140 161 1059 141 1026 68 Northland Region poly 1177 405 1246 360 1302 405 1306 356 1375 352 1388 392 1339 413 1355 502 1319 506 1323 539 1258 567 Auckland Region poly 1258 559 1319 547 1319 506 1351 498 1343 413 1396 405 1453 575 1420 591 1432 648 1453 681 1469 701 1501 729 1518 746 1505 778 1493 802 1489 823 1493 835 1465 855 1453 859 1440 875 1416 888 1380 884 1396 863 1392 831 1380 810 1380 778 1400 754 1396 741 1375 737 1359 758 1343 762 1327 774 1311 778 1302 786 1282 786 1266 786 1254 778 1262 762 1262 733 1278 701 1278 664 1274 624 Waikato Region poly 1246 786 1290 786 1278 810 1274 843 1266 863 1286 900 1311 936 1290 961 1278 985 1262 985 1233 981 1205 957 1177 940 1152 928 1140 924 1120 888 1152 863 1181 851 1197 851 1225 831 1242 819 1246 802 Taranaki poly 1444 563 1408 591 1424 624 1440 664 1473 701 1501 729 1509 746 1509 774 1501 802 1489 819 1501 843 1522 831 1534 823 1542 823 1554 798 1558 798 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847 1278 835 1278 819 1286 794 1306 778 1335 766 1359 762 1380 750 1384 750 1380 778 1380 798 1380 810 1388 827 1388 843 1375 879 1392 888 1416 884 1440 875 1453 859 1469 896 1469 924 1465 977 1457 1009 1493 1038 Manawatū-Whanganui poly 1315 1155 1294 1184 1266 1212 1250 1241 1258 1249 1274 1245 1286 1233 1290 1249 1306 1261 1327 1261 1327 1289 1371 1285 1412 1257 1440 1229 1457 1212 1477 1188 1485 1168 1465 1151 1436 1164 1404 1164 1359 1164 1339 1160 1323 1164 1315 1151 Wellington Region poly 1035 1229 1063 1253 1108 1216 1124 1188 1091 1212 1075 1220 1055 1233 Nelson, New Zealand poly 1055 1253 1035 1241 1018 1220 1014 1184 1022 1184 1022 1151 994 1155 974 1139 974 1115 1002 1115 1018 1111 1018 1103 986 1095 974 1103 953 1115 933 1135 921 1143 917 1151 921 1160 933 1176 929 1180 957 1188 974 1224 974 1233 949 1249 933 1273 925 1289 913 1302 897 1338 909 1362 941 1379 949 1399 957 1391 994 1362 1039 1285 1051 1277 1051 1265 Tasman District poly 986 1367 1014 1326 1030 1298 1051 1285 1063 1273 1071 1245 1083 1233 1099 1216 1112 1204 1124 1160 1148 1135 1173 1151 1205 1192 1217 1208 1185 1233 1168 1249 1173 1273 1193 1298 1201 1306 1173 1346 1144 1334 1132 1346 1108 1371 1091 1391 1075 1415 1051 1440 1039 1440 1022 1431 1014 1403 998 1395 Marlborough District poly 966 1375 929 1411 917 1440 892 1464 868 1476 836 1500 832 1517 791 1529 771 1533 746 1557 722 1574 690 1598 685 1602 653 1622 621 1634 612 1651 588 1671 552 1695 539 1732 539 1781 564 1801 592 1809 600 1833 649 1866 645 1894 673 1874 714 1850 750 1858 754 1821 767 1793 787 1760 811 1740 848 1720 901 1695 945 1671 970 1671 998 1679 1022 1679 1035 1667 1026 1639 998 1634 982 1602 986 1561 998 1541 1018 1525 1035 1521 1063 1517 1091 1500 1104 1431 1136 1415 1160 1379 1197 1342 1205 1322 1173 1338 1140 1346 1112 1354 1099 1362 1091 1387 1075 1411 1059 1427 1047 1431 1022 1431 1006 1419 994 1391 986 1383 Canterbury Region poly 543 1699 527 1708 507 1708 478 1724 446 1724 438 1760 405 1777 373 1785 357 1797 332 1833 336 1858 353 1866 353 1890 361 1927 389 1910 422 1943 446 1939 470 1927 487 1943 462 1979 462 2000 491 2024 487 2069 487 2101 495 2134 487 2154 519 2146 560 2126 576 2109 629 2077 633 2040 645 2028 673 2024 694 2016 685 1992 710 1963 714 1935 730 1906 750 1870 754 1866 759 1850 710 1854 690 1866 677 1874 653 1890 649 1878 645 1858 625 1858 596 1837 596 1825 576 1813 560 1813 547 1793 535 1777 531 1732 547 1691 Otago poly 474 2150 474 2109 474 2081 470 2032 458 1996 470 1943 487 1923 458 1910 446 1935 418 1943 409 1927 389 1915 365 1919 353 1915 345 1882 324 1846 340 1817 357 1789 361 1772 345 1756 324 1756 300 1797 276 1801 247 1821 198 1850 178 1878 133 1927 101 1971 89 2024 109 2057 162 2085 194 2085 223 2089 227 2077 247 2073 267 2089 292 2109 332 2101 353 2138 401 2138 470 2150 Southland Region poly 255 2154 280 2191 271 2223 247 2247 284 2260 345 2235 365 2219 324 2178 292 2158 Southland Region poly 905 1135 933 1168 945 1188 961 1196 978 1229 949 1253 909 1298 905 1326 905 1387 929 1407 921 1440 888 1464 852 1492 832 1509 775 1537 750 1553 698 1594 665 1614 592 1634 580 1675 552 1699 483 1712 446 1728 418 1744 409 1764 385 1781 332 1793 340 1760 320 1748 349 1724 393 1699 430 1699 466 1683 503 1647 535 1634 556 1622 600 1590 621 1578 653 1541 685 1521 718 1505 754 1456 771 1411 787 1358 791 1330 832 1318 856 1285 884 1249 888 1241 West Coast Region

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Waikato within New Zealand
CountryNew Zealand
IslandNorth Island
SeatHamilton City
Government
[2]
 • TypeRegional council
 • BodyWaikato Regional Council
 • ChairPamela Storey[1]
 • Deputy chairBruce Clarkson
Area
[3]
 • Land23,901.09 km2 (9,228.26 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[4]
 • Total522,600
GDP
[5]
 • TotalNZ$ 32.558 billion (2021)
 • Per capitaNZ$ 63,713 (2021)
HDI (2021)0.923[6]
very high · 8th
Websitewww.waikatoregion.govt.nz
Territorial authorities in Waikato region before 2010

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, 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:[8] It has a land area of 23,901.09 km2 (9,228.26 sq mi) and a population of 522,600 (June 2023).[4]

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.[7] In descending order of land area 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.

Name and etymology

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 the river current in the sea").[9]

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.[10] "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.[citation needed]

Geography

 
Waikato River passing through Hamilton

To 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 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 km2 (77 sq mi) peat dome south of Ngatea. It is in the broad undulating Waikato Plains that most of 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 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 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 1200–1600mm 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 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 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.[11] 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.[12]

The parts of Waikato region beyond these limits are usually identified as Thames Valley and/or Hauraki/Coromandel (for the north-eastern part of Waikato region)[13] and Taupō, on the Volcanic or Central Plateau (for the south-eastern part of the region).[14]

Demographics

Waikato Region covers 23,901.09 km2 (9,228.26 sq mi)[3] and had an estimated population of 522,600 as of June 2023,[4] with a population density of 22 people per km2.

Ethnicities, 2023 Census
Ethnicity Population
New Zealand European
357,624
Māori
125,574
Pasifika
26,139
Asian
60,792
MELAA
7,146
Other
5,742
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1991331,026—    
1996350,112+1.13%
2001357,726+0.43%
2006380,823+1.26%
2013403,641+0.83%
2018458,202+2.57%
2023498,771+1.71%
Source: [15][16]

Waikato had a population of 498,771 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 40,569 people (8.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 95,130 people (23.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 216,222 dwellings. The median age was 37.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 100,746 people (20.2%) aged under 15 years, 93,108 (18.7%) aged 15 to 29, 218,811 (43.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 86,106 (17.3%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 71.7% European/Pākehā, 25.2% Māori, 5.2% Pasifika, 12.2% Asian, 1.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders, and 1.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.[15]

Waikato Region had a population of 458,202 at the 2018 New Zealand census. There were 162,927 households. There were 226,386 males and 231,816 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female.

The proportion of people born overseas was 19.5%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 50.6% had no religion, 34.8% were Christian, 1.7% were Hindu, 0.9% were Muslim, 0.8% were Buddhist and 4.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 67,560 (18.7%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 71,901 (19.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $30,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 55,953 people (15.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 176,901 (48.9%) people were employed full-time, 53,970 (14.9%) were part-time, and 15,660 (4.3%) were unemployed.[17]

Cities and towns

Main article: List of localities in Waikato
 
Map of population density in the Waikato region (2006 census)

The largest city in the Waikato Region is Hamilton, with an urban population of 185,300 (June 2023).[4] 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 14,500, 14,000, 21,800 and 26,500. (These populations include 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.

Largest groups of overseas-born residents[18]
Nationality Population (2018)
England 17,907
India 8,664
Australia 7,314
South Africa 6,936
China 6,582
Philippines 4,974
Fiji 4,176
Netherlands 2,490
Scotland 2,196
United States 1,893
Urban area Population
(June 2023)[4] 		% of region
Hamilton 185,300 35.5%
Taupō 26,500 5.1%
Cambridge 21,800 4.2%
Tokoroa 14,500 2.8%
Te Awamutu 14,000 2.7%
Matamata 9,130 1.7%
Morrinsville 8,960 1.7%
Huntly 8,880 1.7%
Ngāruawāhia 8,170 1.6%
Thames 7,630 1.5%
Whitianga 6,440 1.2%
Pōkeno 6,370 1.2%
Tuakau 6,030 1.2%
Waihi 5,870 1.1%
Te Kūiti 4,680 0.9%
Te Aroha 4,670 0.9%
Paeroa 4,640 0.9%
Putāruru 4,600 0.9%
Whangamatā 4,500 0.9%
Raglan 3,880 0.7%
Tūrangi 3,840 0.7%
Kihikihi 3,390 0.6%
Ōtorohanga 3,320 0.6%
Te Kauwhata 2,980 0.6%
Coromandel 1,930 0.4%
Tairua 1,630 0.3%
Ngatea 1,610 0.3%
Pirongia 1,360 0.3%
Pauanui 1,160 0.2%

Economy

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 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%).[19]

Between 2000 and 2004, Waikato economic growth was lower than the national average. But from 2004 to 2007, real gross regional product for 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.[20]

Agriculture

Given the suitable geography and climate, the Waikato economy is strongly based on agriculture, especially dairy. Dairy farming has been 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.[21]

Dairy farms are mainly family owned (2,608 of 4,020 farms in 2016) with owners employing sharemilkers in many cases (1,412 sharemilkers).[21] The size of the average dairy herd in the Waikato has progressively increased. It was about 320 cows in 2012[22] and in 2016 was about 351 (total Waikato herd 1.41m cows),[21] 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 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.

Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector in Waikato contributed $2,688 million in GDP in the year to March 2018, 11.1% of the regional GDP.[19] According to the 2013 New Zealand census, the sector employed 18,519 people, or 9.9% of the region's employed population.[23]

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.[24]

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.[25]

The Kinleith Mill south of Tokoroa processes wood from the surrounding forests into pulp and paper.

History

 
Māori woman with a representation of the Waikato Ancestress "Te Iringa"

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 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 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.[26] Between 1840 and 1860 the CMS missionaries of the Anglican church assisted Waikato Māori in revolutionising their economy in 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,[27] Mohoaonui,[28] Otawhao, Patetere, Rangataiki,[27] Rangiaowhia,[29] Taupō, Te Kopua, Te Rore, Tireke, Tuakau, Waitetuna, Whaingaroa[27] and Whatawhata.[30]

The route used to travel to and from Auckland 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 the sea route across the Manukau to Ihumatao (where Auckland International Airport is now).[31] 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.[32] The boom time ended in 1856–1857 with 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 a much wider variety of food from the Thames area.[33] 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.[34]

At the time of the Waikato campaign of 1863 against the rebel Māori King Movement forces, 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 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.[35] 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, 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 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 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.[36]

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 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 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 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 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 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.

Local government history

Following major floods in 1907,[37] a Waikato River Board was formed in 1911.[38] However, it was reported as ineffective in 1921[39] and ceased to operate,[40] though the need for a replacement was considered in 1933.[41]

Hauraki Catchment Board was set up in 1946.[37]

Major floods also occurred in 1953 and 1956.[37] 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.[42] The Ministry of Works and Development Abolition Act 1988, left WVA with that work[43] and it became the Waikato Catchment Board.[44]

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.[45] It was set up under the Town and Country Planning Act 1977[37] 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 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.[45] 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.[46]

On 1 November 1989, Waikato Regional Council was established[45] by the Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989.[47] from 40 former authorities:[43]- 2 catchment boards (Hauraki and Waikato),[43] 3 united councils (Waikato, Thames Valley[46] and part of Tongariro),[48] 12 noxious plants authorities, 11 pest destruction boards and 12 drainage boards.[43] The Land Transport Act 1998 added transport to WRC's responsibilities.[49] From 1 November 2010 Environment Waikato took over the southern parts of Franklin District.[50] That seems to be the only legislation naming it 'Environment Waikato', which had been its operating name[45] until 2011,[51] shortly after the 'Rates Control Team' won about half the seats in the 2010 election.[52]

Politics

In the 2010 local government elections, the Waikato Region had the country's lowest rate of returned votes.[53] Since then the percentage turnout has declined further.[54]

Council 2010 2013 2016 2019
Taupō District 54.8 48.5 50.2 52.2
Waitomo District 49.0 43.6 38.4 52.7
Rotorua District 43.4 43.8 45.9 45.2
Thames-Coromandel District 43.8 37.8 38.0 40.3
Hauraki District 42.8 40.4 44.2 48.8
Matamata-Piako District 42.1 44.8 24.1 51.9
South Waikato District 39.1 41.5 44.4 36.6
Waipa District 41.8 39.6 38.7 35.7
Ōtorohanga District 36.4 50.6 25.1 45.1
Hamilton City 37.8 38.3 33.6 39.4
Waikato District 34.3 31.6 30.6 34.4
National voter turnout % 49.0 41.3 42.0 41.7
Waikato Region 57.2 39.2 44 44.1

People

The people of 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 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.

Notable people

Arts

Māoridom

Military

Politics

Sports

References

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  2. ^ "Your Councillors". Waikato Regional Council. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
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  22. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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  40. ^ "MINISTER ON TOUR. (New Zealand Herald, 1926-10-15)". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
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  51. ^ "Public blasts name change". Stuff.co.nz. 6 April 2011. Archived from the original on 9 April 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
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  54. ^ "Final voter turnout 2019". www.lgnz.co.nz. Retrieved 11 July 2021.

External links

 
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