68-432: The Glen Afton Branch was a branch railway line of 7.9 km (originally 14.1 km) in the Waikato in New Zealand , built to serve coal mines in the Awaroa district west of Huntly at Rotowaro , Pukemiro and Glen Afton . Rotowaro is Māori for "coal lake". When handed over from Public Works to NZR in 1915 it was called the Awaroa Branch, but was also known as the Glen Afton Branch to about 1974, then as
136-490: A local government reform in 1989 that took place under the Local Government Act 1974 . The regional councils replaced the more than 700 ad hoc bodies that had been formed in the preceding century – roads boards, catchment boards, drainage boards, pest control boards, harbour boards, domain and reserve boards. In addition they took over some roles that had previously been performed by county councils. The boundaries of
204-425: A day and monthly coal outputs of 11,000 tons at Rotowaro, 15,000 at Pukemiro and 12,000 at Glen Afton, as well as bringing in supplies such as pit props . A bridge near Mahuta was damaged by dynamite during the 1951 Waterfront dispute . In November 1959 a separate road bridge was opened. The Rotowaro to Glen Afton section west of Rotowaro was closed from 5 March 1973, as the mines had run out of coal. The line
272-553: 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,
340-584: 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
408-970: 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
476-510: 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
544-482: A special train for railway enthusiasts on 16 December 1972 hauled by a D class diesel locomotive. A 1935 schedule allowed 45 minutes for the 8 mi 78 ch (14.4 km) all stations trip from Huntly to Glen Afton. From 1977 the section to Rotowaro, Pukemiro and Glen Afton was handed over to the Bush Tramway Club who operate over about 5 km of former NZR line, though the last 2.5 km to Glen Afton
612-449: 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,
680-479: 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
748-425: Is a mixture of elected councillors and government appointed commissioners. Councils may use a first-past-the-post or single transferable vote system. The chairperson is selected by the elected council members. Regional councils are funded through property rates , subsidies from central government, income from trading, and user charges for certain public services. Councils set their own levels of rates, though
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#1732886712614816-599: Is being made to the combined bridge over the Waikato river to carry it over the Main South road. It is hoped by the end of the ensuing summer to have the rails laid to the junction with the Pukemiro collieries line. As the works now in hand draw to a close, it is proposed to continue operations on this line in the direction of the Burnt bridge. The expenditure upon the railway and bridge during last financial year amounted to £16,503, and for
884-485: Is confirmed by a 1914 report saying the Huntly-Awaroa line is complete over the first 3 mi (4.8 km) section, " well advanced " by co-operative labour over the next 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 mi (4.0 km) and " fair progress " with 5 small contracts to a proposed station 7 + 1 ⁄ 4 mi (11.7 km) from Huntly, " where coal from the Pukemiro collieries will be delivered for transport. An addition
952-535: Is no longer usable. Rotowaro station has been moved to the Bush Tramway Club. 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
1020-457: 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
1088-805: 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
1156-629: 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. Regions of New Zealand New Zealand is divided into sixteen regions for local government purposes. Eleven are administered by regional councils, and five are administered by unitary authorities , which are territorial authorities that also perform
1224-800: 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
1292-550: The Resource Management Act 1991 : Regional councils have responsibility for functions under other statutes; Notes: (1) These regions have unitary authorities . (2) The Gisborne Region is still widely but unofficially known by its former name East Cape or as the East Coast. Some outlying islands are not included within regional boundaries. The Chatham Islands is not in a region, although its council has some of
1360-762: 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
1428-865: 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
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#17328867126141496-538: 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 ,
1564-766: 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
1632-441: 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
1700-632: 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
1768-774: 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
1836-764: The Rotowaro Branch to 3 November 1988, then as the Rotowaro Industrial Line. By 2014 it was again named the Rotowaro Branch. The first 5 km was authorised in 1910 and required a road-rail bridge over the Waikato River , with an extension which carried the railway over the main highway. The bridge, constructed from 1911 to October 1914, had 10 spans of Australian hardwood (8 of 30.5m and 2 of 12.2m) on steel and reinforced concrete piers. The nearby Wilton Collieries Co complained that they too did not have public money put into building their line and river bridge. The first 5 km of track opened about 1911, and this
1904-653: 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
1972-492: 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
2040-457: 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
2108-422: 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
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2176-557: 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
2244-427: 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
2312-492: 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
2380-401: The current year a vote of £30,000 is proposed ." In 2015 prices £46,503 would be equivalent to $ 6.8m. New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company started mining at Glen Afton in 1921. The 2.5 km extension from Rotowaro to Pukemiro and Glen Afton was built between 1921 and 1924, although a further proposed extension beyond Glen Afton did not proceed. The hill section from Rotowaro to Glen Afton
2448-533: 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,
2516-521: 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
2584-618: 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
2652-679: The functions of regional councils. The Chatham Islands Council is not a region but is similar to a unitary authority, authorised under its own legislation. The regional councils are listed in Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the Local Government Act 2002 , along with reference to the Gazette notices that established them in 1989. The Act requires regional councils to promote sustainable development – the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of their communities. The current regions and most of their councils came into being through
2720-407: 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
2788-453: 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
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2856-448: 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
2924-424: 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
2992-415: The legislation were coordination of civil defence and development of a regional plan, although the constituent TLAs could agree on additional responsibilities at the point of formation of each united council. For example, in a number of cases the united council took responsibility for the allocation of revenue from regional petrol taxes. The united councils were based in the facilities of the largest TLA in
3060-539: 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
3128-684: 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
3196-731: The mechanism for collecting it usually involves channelling through the territorial authority collection system. The Auckland Regional Council (now the Auckland Council ) was preceded by the Auckland Regional Authority (ARA), which existed from 1963 to 1989. The Wellington Regional Council was first formed in 1980 from a merger of the Wellington Regional Planning Authority and the Wellington Regional Water Board. In 1978, legislation
3264-542: 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
3332-419: 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
3400-517: 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
3468-485: 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
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#17328867126143536-554: 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
3604-524: The powers of a regional council under the Resource Management Act 1991 . The Kermadecs and the subantarctic islands are inhabited only by a small number of Department of Conservation staff and there is no regional council for these islands. Regional councils are popularly elected every three years in accordance with the Local Electoral Act 2001, except for the Canterbury regional council, which
3672-413: 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
3740-532: The regions are based largely on drainage basins . This anticipated the responsibilities of the Resource Management Act 1991 . Most regional boundaries conform with territorial authority boundaries but there are a number of exceptions. An example is Taupo District , split between four regions, although most of its area is in the Waikato region. There is often a high degree of co-operation between regional and territorial councils as they have complementary roles. Regional councils have these specific functions under
3808-515: 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
3876-749: 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
3944-482: 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
4012-614: 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
4080-483: 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
4148-620: 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
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#17328867126144216-436: Was difficult to construct, with a large "summit" cutting just before Glen Afton. Grades on the hill section were up to 1 in 50, with 150m (7.5 chain) radius curves. At the same time as the extension, tablet signalling was introduced between Huntly and Glen Afton. There were several short private lines to mines at Rotowaro, Pukemiro and Glen Afton. In 1928 the line was operated by W class locomotives , carrying about 350 miners
4284-495: 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
4352-459: 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
4420-434: Was passed enabling the formation of regions with united councils . Twenty regions were designated, excluding the Auckland and Wellington areas. For most of the country this was the first regional level of government since the abolition of provinces in 1876. Councillors were not elected directly – they were appointed from the various territorial local authorities (TLAs) within the region. The only responsibilities mandated by
4488-400: Was shortened from 14.10 km to 7.97 km. Passenger traffic reached a peak in 1947, as shown in the graph and table below - The branch line was dieselised in 1966, with a special New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society excursion train on 12 March 1966 to mark the change, hauled by two B class steam locomotives. Passenger trains, mainly for miners, ran to 23 June 1972, apart from
4556-556: 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
4624-618: 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
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