111-451: The Cambridge Branch (officially named the Hautapu Branch since 2011) is a rural railway line in the Waikato , New Zealand . The line stretches from Ruakura Junction for 15.08 kilometres (9.37 mi) to the settlement of Hautapu, having previously continued another 4.19 kilometres (2.60 mi) to the township of Cambridge . It had five stations along its length, at Newstead, Matangi (Tamahere), Bruntwood (Fencourt), Hautapu and
222-599: A COVID-19 recovery scheme . Cost was estimated at up to $ 150m, including relaying tracks to Cambridge. In the late 1870s the need for a railway line to the flourishing town of Cambridge had been noted and a Cambridge Railway Committee formed, after the Government had rejected 'Breakell's Line', an earlier name for the Cambridge Branch, which had been surveyed in 1879. The committee had a 22.13 km (13.75 mi) line from Rukuhia surveyed in 1880, which would have bridged
333-477: A Class 3 station building, goods shed and crane, locomotive shed, turntable and stockyards. The rail yard consisted of main line, crossing loop, four sidings, goods shed siding, backshunt, turntable and locomotive depot, stockyard and private sidings. Cambridge yard was protected by both 'Home' and 'Distant' semaphore signals controlled via gainstock levers located at the station building. Four NZR built railway staff houses were also located on Queen Street bordering
444-526: A 30% discount. About 40,000 (10% of Waikato's population) were in use. Cards cost $ 5. A switch to Bee Cards was made on 1 July 2020. In 2017/18 solar-powered , real-time arrival information boards were installed at 5 bus stops and CCTV and wifi on buses. The Transit app was introduced in 2017, allowing mobile phone users to track buses and plan journeys. When fares were increased by 12½% and buses after 6pm and all Sunday services were ended in 1971, Buses Ltd claimed to be losing about $ 26,000
555-410: A 40-minute timetable in 2004, but most were then allowed 55 minutes, then 52 mins. From 29 January 2019 'Huntly Assist' services have been operated by a MAN double decker bus. The Hamilton-Morrinsville-Paeroa bus is least frequent of the buses connecting Hamilton with neighbouring towns. Bus 25 linked Hamilton and Coromandel along the same route, until April 2017. From 18 April 2017 the service
666-510: A Hamilton-Pukemiro service was run by Buses Ltd (Blue Buses), though, a year earlier, it had been refused on the ground that there was an adequate train service. Buses Ltd ran the Huntly service at least from 1933. In 2006 Pavlovich won the Huntly contract. In 2013 the route was renamed 'Northern Connector' and Sunday services added. From 18 April 2017 each bus has 2 bike racks and GoBus takes over from Pavlovich. Hamilton to Huntly buses all had
777-855: A break in 2017, Tairua Bus serves Whitianga , Tairua and Ngatea . Since the sale of the west Hamilton routes in 2018, all Hamilton buses have been operated by GoBus (successor to Buses Ltd – see Hamilton routes below). From 30 September 2017, Pavlovich Coachlines had operated buses in west Hamilton and, prior to that, just the Orbiter. In 2022, Tranzit took on Taupō services and in 2024 also Cambridge and Te Awamutu routes. InterCity operate long-distance bus services and some regional connections. From 30 September 2017 buses 1, 9 and 18 were extended to connect with Orbiter and Northern Connector buses at The Base, whilst Hamilton Lake (a new route in 2012) and some roads in Hamilton east lost their bus, when route 15
888-479: A dozen routes have less than a quarter of seats taken in an average rush hour. Over 1,300 buses were full to capacity in 2015/16, 482 of them on the Orbiter route. This provoked complaints, particularly concerning the infrequent Raglan bus, which was fully loaded 22 times in 2015/16. Most of Waikato's buses start and end their journeys at the Transport Centre on the corner of Anglesea St and Bryce St, formerly
999-522: A mass transit plan is being developed. An August 2023 council meeting had a report that the cost could be up to $ 6.5bn, over 30 years. The concept is for a bus rapid transit network linking the airport, Ruakura and Te Awa Lakes at 5-minute intervals during the peak. A consultation happened in 2022 about a 2-hourly Waihi Beach to Paeroa route and a morning and afternoon return service from Thames to Te Aroha via Ngātea and Paeroa, with connections to Hamilton, to start in 2023. Waikato District Council
1110-536: A mixture of 'Wynn-Williams' spring-loaded points, lockable switch points, ground-throw turnouts and also had trap-points/de-railers located on and protecting both the Public Works Siding, Crossing Loop and Number One Siding. The old station building was sold and broken up in 1973 and an overhead crane was erected in its place to handle container traffic from Weddell Crown Aotearoa freezing works in Leamington. With
1221-591: A more frequent bus started running in 1920 – The following stations were located on the Cambridge Branchline with distances measured from Ruakura Junction. Newstead (originally named Mongonui) was the first station located on the branch line after leaving the East Coast Main Trunk. It originally had a platform and shelter type station building, crossing loop and one siding. Owing to the demise of passenger traffic and increase in road cartage of goods
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#17330849272401332-553: 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,
1443-584: 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
1554-553: A purpose built terminal in Broadway was erected in 1954. Edwards Motors Morrinsville Bus Depot was on the corner of Canada and Thames Street in 1968. In 1955 services were being run to Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Rotorua, Paeroa and Putāruru, with a head office and garage at Gittos St, Auckland. Edwards Motors imported 2 Bedford SB coaches with Duple Vega bodies in 1952/53 for its Auckland – Morrinsville – Matamata service. Edwards introduced New Zealand's first rear-engined coaches in
1665-615: A route via Cambridge, Hora Hora , Ātiamuri , Wairakei was run by Noel Douglas Robertson until 1928 "owing to competition of the Hawkes Bay and Aard Services" Railways Road Services took over the Hamilton-Rotorua route in 1937 and combined it with their Auckland route. Until sold off in 2013, there was a bus station in Gascoigne St, but buses now stop on Tongariro St in Taupō. From 1933
1776-970: 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
1887-510: 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 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
1998-449: 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,
2109-714: A week to Auckland Strand . The only other remaining passenger train is the Northern Explorer . Ferries remain at Whitianga and Tairua, but the Auckland-Coromandel ferry is suspended due to crew shortage. On 19 July 2021, a ferry service began on the Waikato River , linking Swarbrick's Landing and Braithwaite Park with the museum and gardens . However, the operator went into liquidation in December 2022 and no ferries run in Hamilton. Shuttle buses provide
2220-479: 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
2331-641: A year. The options then mooted were tax cuts, or local or national subsidy. Under the Public Transport Management Act 2008 (which replaced the Transport Services Licensing Act 1989), regional councils can manage bus and ferry services within their regions. Since 2013, this has been under the Public Transport Operating Model. Just over a third of operating costs come from fares. A Passenger Transport Rate
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#17330849272402442-457: Is a large network of buses serving schools and a much smaller one serving hospitals. The first school bus in the country ran in Waikato on 1 April 1924, allowing local schools near Piopio to be closed. Many companies now run school bus services, including GoBus, Cambridge Travel Lines and Murphy. The Ministry of Education set 1 July 2018 as a date to withdraw ten school buses it considered could be accommodated on public buses. However, that
2553-649: Is considering a Raglan local service. A 2022 Plan proposes to reintroduce at least daily bus. Only 1.4% of travellers used public transport in 2018, compared with 7.3% nationally and a median of 17.5% in Europe. Waikato, like all other regions, with the exception of Auckland and Wellington , saw falls in use of public transport from 2012. Since 2014, the average number of trips per person per year in Waikato has declined from 10.1 to 4.7 in 2021/22, though bus trips have since risen slightly, from 788,600 per quarter in 2021 to 823,800 in 2023. As noted above, patronage
2664-455: Is defined as being no more than 59 seconds early and no more than 4 minutes and 59 seconds late. During 2019-2020 overall punctuality improved from 60.35% of buses to 73.3%. One route dropped as low as 21.62%, but improved when timings were eased by 10 minutes from 4 March 2019. By comparison, Auckland reported 97.8% of trips as punctual. Public transport in Waikato started with ships and boats serving rivers, coastal beaches and ports. Those on
2775-432: Is low. This graph shows totals of rural and urban passenger journeys per financial year in Waikato - Sources 1962–76, 1991–95, 1996–2001, 2002–2007, 2008, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021. In the year to March 2016 patronage in Hamilton was down 6.4% to 3,636,214 and declined a further 5.3% in Hamilton, and 4.1% on satellite routes, to February 2017. Hamilton patronage
2886-457: 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
2997-403: Is therefore, extremely limited funding for new projects . . . to support mode shift and climate change transport activities, like cycling, walking and public transport initiatives." So, although a Mass Transit Plan, aiming to increase public transport's share in Hamilton to 10%, by running services at 10 minute intervals, was to be developed in 2019, it has yet to be funded by Waka Kotahi. As
3108-805: 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
3219-879: 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. Public transport in Hamilton and Waikato#SH1 routes to Cambridge and south east - current route 20 Public transport in Hamilton and the Waikato Region consists mainly of bus services, as well as some limited train and ferry services. Services are mainly infrequent, and investment hasn't been sufficient to compete with cars, so that subsidies, first introduced in 1971, have increased. The 2021 Waikato Regional Transport Plan explained
3330-505: The Ellis and Burnand timber yard. The map of the Centre shows 27 stops in and around it. As well as bus stops and shelters, it has toilets, a cafe, an information counter and a booking office. It opened in 2001 and was designed by Worley Architects. Prior to that the Transport Centre was the name later given to the late 1960s bus station on the other side of Bryce St (now The Warehouse , but once
3441-800: 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
Cambridge Branch - Misplaced Pages Continue
3552-534: The North Island Main Trunk . There were dairy factories located at Matangi and Bruntwood (Fencourt) and Hautapu requiring inwards supplies and sending outwards goods. During the 1920s, motor vehicles started to take over the passenger traffic and the last time-tabled passenger train left Cambridge without ceremony on 9 September 1946. At one stage a loading bank for the Cambridge Raceway was located on
3663-707: 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, the extent of the region is the Waikato River catchment. Other major catchments are those of
3774-865: 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
3885-538: 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 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 ,
3996-638: The Waikato at the Narrows . Preliminary surveying for the current branch was conducted in 1881. The line starts at Ruakura Junction on the East Coast Main Trunk , where the first sod was turned in the line's construction on 6 May 1882. A kilometre (0.6 mi) south of the Newstead Station a five span timber bridge was needed to cross the Mangaonua Stream, and a contract to lay the permanent way over
4107-828: 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
4218-441: 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
4329-621: The Green Bus) in the Buses Ltd (Blue Buses) fleet and said they met all trains at Frankton Junction . Buses Ltd had cut its fares in 1928 to achieve a virtual monopoly by driving Green Bus Co. out of business. Major cuts were made in 1971, including all buses after 6pm and on Sundays. No buses now serve the railway station. Bus 20 now runs 8 buses a day. Tranzit took over the route from GoBus from 1 January 2024. 1923 reports said service cars were getting stuck between Putaruru and Taupō. From 1924
4440-632: 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
4551-409: The Hamilton fleet fully wheelchair accessible. A Total Mobility subsidised taxi scheme also operates in Hamilton, Taupō and Tokoroa. Local mobility schemes exist in Huntly, Raglan, Coromandel, Thames, Tairua, Whitianga, Paeroa, Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Tokoroa, Putāruru, Tīrau, and Te Kuiti. A smartcard , marketed as a BusIt Card, was introduced in 2003. It gave roughly
Cambridge Branch - Misplaced Pages Continue
4662-774: 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
4773-542: The Mangaonua Steam bridge, mainline locomotives have always been forbidden to operate on the line. By the 1940s the B and Bb Class engines were prevalent and by the 1950s the A class 4-6-2 was the main loco employed on Cambridge Branch trains. With the dieselization of the New Zealand Railways network in the late 1950s and 1960s a mix of steam and diesel motive power became common. The last steam engine to run on
4884-568: The NZR Road Services depot and bus stops), which was linked by a ramp to the underground station at Hamilton Central . That site and the current centre and neighbouring properties are now included in Development Site 4 in the City's local area plan. In earlier years buses had several terminals, including Frankton Junction and Garden Place. The camber of Bryce St at the exit from the Centre
4995-653: 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
5106-492: 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
5217-457: 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
5328-422: 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
5439-456: The Weddell Crown freezing works in Leamington. With the closure of the freezing works in 1993 the traffic originating from Cambridge declined with the only remaining customer being Summit Grains. Summit Grains occupied the former Public Works warehouse in the station yard and used rail for inbound shipments of bulk grain and horse feed until early 1999 when the section from Hautapu to Cambridge
5550-557: 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
5661-472: The branch Main, adjacent to the racetrack grounds near the Taylor Street level-crossing, for the loading and unloading of race horses on important race days. Freight traffic continued with common goods carried including wood, coal, wool, meat, cars, fertiliser and grain. In 1973 a gantry-type container crane was erected in the station yard for the truck to train transition of containerised refrigerated meat from
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#17330849272405772-512: The building. The Hautapu factory currently still generates enough traffic to justify regular services and two trains daily in peak dairy season. In the early days regular services on the Cambridge branch were mixed (passenger and freight), stopping where or when required. The exception was the midday train which carried passengers only. The service was increased to two trains a day in 1902. Connections were made at Frankton Junction with services on
5883-427: 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
5994-492: 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
6105-516: The construction of the dam were railed direct to Cambridge and then transported further by truck to Karapiro. This new siding left the Main just within the Home Signal boundary and passed along the outer limits parallel to the yard to the large Public Works warehouse. Various private sidings were also used for the carriage of sawn timber, wood and wool products by local industries. The station yard employed
6216-400: The dairy factory. Bruntwood (previously Fencourt) was the site of a dairy factory and had a siding curving off the branch mainline and into the factory site. Previously the last station before Cambridge and current terminus of the railway. Hautapu has had a dairy factory since the 1880s and has a long tradition with using rail for outbound freight movement. The railway line intersects through
6327-533: 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,
6438-521: 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
6549-618: 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
6660-523: The full distance was let on 21 February 1884 at the price of £5,455. On the morning of 1 October 1884 the line was inspected and passed ready for traffic. On 6 October a special train brought the new station master and his family along with other members of the staff to Cambridge and two days later the line was open for traffic. The Cambridge railway yard was located on a tract of land between Queen Street and Lake Te Ko-outu and crossed at its entrance by Lake Street. Railway infrastructure originally included
6771-407: 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
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#17330849272406882-516: The grounds of the Cambridge Museum where it is currently on display along with the '18 km' and '19 km' distance markers. The 'Cambridge' sign marking the entrance to the yard and also the 'Kissing Gates' of 1884 vintage remain preserved in place. The line formation is still very evident as a vacant plot of land stretching in a straight line to Hautapu for 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) between Victoria Road East and Victoria Road West and tree-lined within
6993-453: 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
7104-448: 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
7215-424: 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 the region's population resides, and the land is intensively farmed with both livestock, mainly dairy cattle but with sheep farming on
7326-468: The line was A 733 on Monday 26 June 1967, and in 1990 the line averaged about four shunts per day. In the 1970s the main locomotives working the Cambridge Branch were diesels of the classes D , D and D . By the 1980s and through the 1990s until the Hautapu-Cambridge sections closure, the majority of trains were pulled by DBR class engines. At various times a small shunting engine of the class TR
7437-539: 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
7548-684: 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
7659-518: The map shows, the coverage is sparse and even of those services which operate daily, most have only 2 or 3 buses a day in each direction. Only Hamilton urban services and those to Huntly run hourly, or more frequently. About 40% of passengers travelled on the two routes (Orbiter, Comet) which ran at 15 minute intervals. From Monday 21 February 2022, the less frequent Hamilton buses were cut to hourly, or 2-hourly, due to driver shortages. The Te Huia commuter train started on 6 April 2021 and runs 6 days
7770-436: The middle of the factory grounds and it is this convenience that has ultimately insured the lines survival. In the late 1980s expansions to the dairy factory and the construction of a new bulk refrigerated storage facility required the branch 'Main' to be diverted and new rail sidings built. Hautapu railyard comprises the Main line, elongated loop, three sidings, backshunt and 'Cool Store' siding with rail access on either side of
7881-542: 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 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
7992-419: 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
8103-517: 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
8214-485: 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
8325-495: The official name in The New Zealand Gazette . In 1996 the line officially became the 'Cambridge Industrial Siding' (sometimes erroneously referred to as the 'Cambridge Industrial Line') before becoming the 'Hautapu Branch' in 2011. It has also been called the 'Cambridge / Hautapu Industrial Siding'. The former section from Hautapu to Cambridge is still officially gazetted as being the 'Cambridge Industrial Siding', though
8436-457: The official record does note that the tracks have been removed. 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 , the northern King Country , much of
8547-404: The old rail yard. In 2020 double tracking and potentially reopening the Cambridge station for events, were put forward as a COVID-19 recovery scheme , as part of a $ 150m scheme to relay tracks to Cambridge. From its first opening the line was generally referred to using variations of the 'Cambridge Railway' or 'Cambridge Branch', and in 1977 the name 'Cambridge Branch Railway' was reconfirmed as
8658-569: The only public transport to a number of places, including Hamilton Airport , Whitianga and Whangamatā . Hamilton has 23 bus routes covering most of its urban area. Buses also serve Cambridge , Coromandel , Huntly , Mangakino , Matamata , Morrinsville , Ngāruawāhia , Paeroa , Port Waikato , Pukekohe , Raglan , Taupō , Thames , Te Aroha , Te Awamutu , Te Kauwhata , Tīrau , Putāruru and Tokoroa . A summer shuttle runs between Hahei and Cathedral Cove . Services are operated by 105 buses, 74 of them on Hamilton urban routes. With
8769-554: 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
8880-507: The railyards. The locomotive depot was removed at some point during the 1920s but the turntable remained and was occasionally used until the early 1970s when it was dismantled and filled in. During the 1940s construction of the Karapiro Dam and Hydro scheme (9 kilometres [5.6 mi] east of Cambridge) necessitated the construction of a new siding and Public Works building in the yard site. Heavy materials, machinery, steel and cement used in
8991-413: 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"). 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
9102-503: The removal of the station building administration was subsequently moved and conducted from an office added to the Goods Shed. As a result, both the 'Home' and 'Distant' signals were fixed in the stop position. In the late 1970s following the removal of the stockyards the stockyard site was used for the washing and drying of N.Z.R tarpaulins on purpose built drying racks. As shown in the table and graph, passenger traffic peaked in 1922, after
9213-430: The rest of region and $ 6m for the new rail service. A Regional Petrol Tax, levied in Hamilton (0.265 cents a litre in 1996), supported public transport from 1992 to 1996. A plan to reintroduce the tax was dropped in 2009, leading to a fare increase and shelving of improvements planned for increased hours, an Eastern Loop and a Rototuna Dial a Ride . The tax was also levied from 1971 to 1974. In December 2016, it
9324-479: The rest of the space being turned into a large carpark with no unique tips to the sites rail history. On the 16th of August 2017 construction of a new roundabout and the relocation of the kissing gates were completed in relation to completion of the Waikato Expressway Cambridge bypass and Lakewood Cambridge development of the Cambridge railway yard. VTNZ is still in 2017 operating in the grounds of
9435-515: 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
9546-749: 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
9657-438: The small spend on public transport (7%) and walking/cycling (3%), saying that, although Government, "elevated climate change as a national strategic priority, the Government has not provided the funding to achieve the transformational change necessary to meet its climate change targets and expectations. Waka Kotahi states that 90% of anticipated revenue is committed to a significant programme of work already underway . . . There
9768-482: 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
9879-401: The station was removed although the loop was used at times to store retired wagons even into the 1980s. Tamahere (in 1906 renamed Matangi ) was once an important station on the branchline with a large dairy factory requiring both inwards consignments of coal and also supplying outwards dairy freight. The station yard included a crossing loop, 3 sidings, Goods Shed siding and also a siding for
9990-513: The summer of 1948, Reo No 21 “The Landliner” for its Auckland–Morrinsville–Matamata–Tauranga service, and, in 1956, the Bedford “Vistaliner” coaches. W J Stanley got a licence for Matamata-Tauranga in 1936. In 1938 the service car ( photo ) was caught by a bridge collapse. Matamata is now served by InterCity Hamilton-Tauranga and Auckland-Rotorua routes. In addition to the buses of commercial operators and those supported by Regional Council, there
10101-614: 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
10212-407: The terminus at Cambridge. Passenger service on the line ceased on 9 September 1946, although during the 1950 British Empire Games at Auckland three passenger trains took 1,500 people to the rowing events held on the nearby Lake Karapiro on 7 February. There were occasional excursions, such as those celebrating the centennial in 1984. In 2020 reopening of the branch to passengers was put forward as
10323-414: The town boundary. In 2010 KiwiRail required that the railway designation remain in place to protect the potential for the line to carry freight and passengers in future. All evidence of the railway yard has been erased with exception of a loading bank, the stockyard platform and the remains of the locomotive inspection pit on the site of the old loco depot. In early 2015 the old 3-hectare (7.4-acre) yard
10434-483: 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
10545-745: Was a reason for Hamilton being the largest city in the country not to carry bicycles on any of its public transport. The entrance was modified to avoid buses gouging the tar seal on Bryce St, but there is still little clearance to allow for bike racks. This probably explained why a 2011 policy to "investigate the feasibility of bikes on buses in the Waikato region" was not in the 2015 Plan. Cycle racks have been on Huntly, Paeroa and Raglan buses from 18 April 2017, Cambridge buses from late 2017 and Te Awamutu from late 2018. A Regional Council agenda recommended its Regional Public Transport Plan 2018 – 2028 should not provide for bike racks on Hamilton buses. In 2014 $ 4 million spent on 10 low-floor MAN buses made
10656-620: 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
10767-431: Was cut back to Paeroa, using a bus with 2 bike racks and GoBus took over from Turley Motors. A Coromandel – Paeroa – Rotorua service started on 8 May 2017, but was suspended when Naked Bus es were sold to Ritchies on 15 July 2018. InterCity provides a Thames-Coromandel-Whitianga link. Edwards Motors Ltd ran a daily service from 1928 to 1981, being renamed Midland-Edwards Coachlines Ltd from March 1969. In Matamata
10878-465: Was designed to stockpile aircraft fuel for use by the air force at Rukuhia south of Hamilton. With the very real threat of Japanese invasion, it was constructed in secrecy with tank trains reportedly unloading fuel at night. Like all New Zealand branch lines in the 1880s the Cambridge Line was first serviced by small tank engines. Due to axle-load and weight restrictions imposed by both rail weight and
10989-546: Was down 0.5% in the year to July 2018, but up 0.19% with satellite routes included. COVID-19 resulted in a 41.3% fall in 2020. This table shows patronage by routes for the year to January 2017, Bee card records at the Transport Centre between 22 and 28 February 2021 and 2021 year - Patronage varies greatly, with all seats taken on the Orbiter at rush hours and over 60% full on the Northern Connector (serving Huntly and The Base), Raglan and Silverdale routes. However,
11100-427: Was ended. From 2 February 2021, the Orbiter was re-routed via Rotokauri Transport Hub , with a footbridge link to The Base. This was to avoid congestion at The Base and link with Te Huia from 12 April 2021. An advert in 1 June 1937 Railways Magazine showed 10 buses (until 1927 there had been 14 run by Watson, Jubilee and Blue bus companies; Waikato Motor Bus Co started in 1922 and Watsons in 1924, or 1923, as
11211-495: 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
11322-459: 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
11433-541: Was estimated at about $ 20m a year in the 2015–2025 Plan. In 2016/17 total funding was $ 23,34m. In 2019/20 public transport made up 4% of regional government spending on transport, less than half the 11% being spent on the Waikato Expressway . $ 22.4m went to bus services, $ 17.8m of that in Hamilton, $ 4m for buses from rural towns to Hamilton and $ 0.6m for buses in Thames, Tokoroa and Taupō. In 2020 $ 18.2m went to Hamilton buses, $ 4.2m to buses from rural towns, $ 1.4m for
11544-522: Was first levied in Hamilton in 1994. In 1996 it collected $ 1.033m, in 1997 $ 1.077m, in 1998 $ 1.187m, in 1999 $ 1.275m, $ 1.278m in 2001, in 2001 $ 1.453m, in 2002 $ 1.519m, in 2005 $ 3,626m, in 2007 $ 5.503m, and $ 6.237m in 2008. By 2003 only 3 (Raglan, Te Awamutu and Thames) of 33 routes ran without subsidy. Fare revenue was $ 3.606m in 2007 and, after a fare increase, $ 4.178m in 2008. Contracted services cost $ 2.199m in 1995, $ 2.255m in 1996, $ 2.798m in 1997 ($ 1.902m bus, $ 0.285m mobility), $ 3.042m in 1999, and
11655-401: Was officially closed and subsequently lifted and removed. The Cambridge Branch Line played a small part during World War Two for the transport of bulk aircraft fuel. In 1942 a top-secret fuel storage facility consisting of a bulk fuel tank, underground pipelines and tunnels codenamed 'AR-9' was built in the area directly adjacent and below the rail yards beside Lake Te Koutu. This RNZAF facility
11766-450: Was put up for tender after the last business Summit Grains moved from the former public works warehouse site, In early 2016 details were released by Hamilton-based Trig Group of a multi-million dollar development called Lakewood Cambridge, with the construction of at least half a dozen building starting in June 2017. The development makes way for new housing and shops in the two story buildings with
11877-647: Was reduced to a possible two (Cambridge to St Johns and Morrinsville to Sacred Heart ) in 2017. The health buses are mainly funded by the District Health Board and link Waikato Hospital to most of the regions towns and some outside the region, such as Taumarunui . From February 2017 University of Waikato has been using car parking fees to subsidise student fares by 30% and to provide new bus links to Tokoroa, Putāruru , Ngāruawāhia, Huntly, Te Kauwhata, Thames, Piopio, Te Kūiti, Ōtorohanga , Matamata, Coromandel, Whitianga and Whangamata. As noted above,
11988-437: Was reported that Pavlovich Coachlines passengers would receive free rides due to a worker protest. In October 2017 First Union presented a petition to Regional Council asking for contracts with bus companies to include a requirement to pay a living wage . It was reported that some drivers were being paid the minimum wage . Drivers have been paid at Living Wage rates since 1 September 2021. In Waikato an 'on-time' service
12099-556: 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
12210-618: 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
12321-471: Was used to perform various shunting duties and was housed in the Goods Shed at Cambridge. All trains that currently use the line to Hautapu are DBR or DC hauled. In the following months after the closure of the Hautapu-Cambridge section of line in 1999 all the yard and line tracks were quickly lifted and Goods Shed dismantled. The Samson Post was moved to the new terminus of the line at Hautapu. The 'Home' semaphore signal remained in position until being moved to
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