Waikato (region/district)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article or section is in the middle of an expansion or major revamping. You are welcome to assist in its construction by editing it as well. If this article has not been edited in several days, please remove this template. Please consider not tagging with a deletion tag unless the page has not been edited in several days or the page has no content at all. This article or section was last edited by SmackBot (Contribs • Log) 2 seconds ago. |
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2008) |
 |
Look up waikato in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
The Waikato area (also Waikato province and the Waikato) is a traditional area within the current Waikato Region in the North Island of New Zealand, around the city of Hamilton and extending along the banks of the Waikato River. This area excludes some parts of the Waikato Region, namely the Coromandel Peninsula and Thames Valley in the north and around and to the north of Lake Taupo in the southeast. It gets its name from the Waikato River; waikato is a Māori word meaning flowing water.[citation needed] This area is home to the Waikato iwi (tribe), which some authors identify as the source of the area's name.[1]
Prior to the founding of New Zealand's regions and territorial authorities, the Waikato was a notable Maori area; see Invasion of Waikato. Regions are based on drainage basins, whereas territorial authorities are based on community of interest and road access. Waikato Region was established in 1989 (see Regions of New Zealand).
Contents |
[edit] Geography
 |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (July 2009) |
In the west, the region is bounded by the Tasman Sea. The coastal region is largely rough hill country, known locally as the Hakarimata Range, though it is more gently undulating in the north, closer to the mouth of the Waikato River. The coast is punctured by three large natural harbours: Raglan Harbour, Aotea Harbour, and Kawhia Harbour. The area around Raglan is noted for its volcanic black sand beaches, and also for its fine surfing conditions at Manu bay and Ruapuke beach.
To the east of the coastal hills lies the broad floodplain of the Waikato River. The region has a wet temperate climate, and the land is largely rich farmland, although it also contains undrained peat swamp. It is in the broad Waikato Plains that most of the region's population resides, and the land is intensively farmed with both livestock (mainly dairy cattle) and crops (such as maize). The area around Cambridge has many thoroughbred stables.
The north of the region around Te Kauwhata produces some of New Zealand's best wines. Several shallow lakes lie in this area, the largest of which is Lake Waikare.
To the east, the land rises towards the forested slopes of the Kaimai and Mamaku Ranges. The upper reaches of the Waikato River are used for hydroelectricity, and several large artificial lakes are found in the region's southeast.
[edit] History
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the western North Island contained some of the most densely populated parts of New Zealand, inhabited by iwi such as Ngāti Toa and Tainui.
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 major bloodshed in what is referred to as the Invasion of the Waikato. Largely in retaliation for the help Waikato Māori gave Taranaki Māori to protect their land in the earlier First Taranaki War, the colonial government — with the help of troops brought from Britain — pushed south from the main settlement of Auckland, fighting several defensive lines organised by the combined iwi of the King Movement. During 1863 and 1864 fighting occurred at Meremere, Ngaruawahia, Rangiaowhia (southwest of Cambridge), and Orakau (near Te Awamutu). Eventually the King Movement forces pulled back to positions in the area to the south of the Waikato, still known as the King Country. The Orakau siege was immortalised in one of New Zealand's first motion pictures, Rewi's Last Stand in 1925.
The National Marae, Turangawaewae, is at Ngaruawahia. It is the seat of Māori King Tuheitia Paki.
[edit] People
The people of the Waikato occasionally use the nickname Mooloo to apply to themselves or to their province, particularly in relation to sporting endeavours. The word was likely first applied to the Waikato provincial rugby team. Its origin is related to the mascot of a pantomime-like milking cow used in parades, public events and sports matches — particularly rugby, reflecting the importance of the dairy industry to the region. Waikato hosts the Chiefs Super 14 rugby team and Waikato Air New Zealand Cup rugby team at Waikato Stadium and the Northern Districts Knights in domestic cricket at Seddon Park, both in Hamilton.
[edit] Famous people from this area
- Jim Bolger — former Prime Minister of New Zealand
- Helen Clark — former Prime Minister of New Zealand
- Don Clarke — Rugby international
- The Datsuns — rock band
- Tim and Neil Finn — songwriters and musicians (Split Enz, Crowded House)
- Rangimarie Hetet — of Oparure Marae. Died 103 years regarded as living treasure of Māori handcrafts, with honorary degrees.
- Dame Malvina Major — acclaimed international singer
- Bruce McLaren — motor racing driver and team founder
- Colin Meads — rugby international
- Richard O'Brien — writer of the international cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Eva Rickard — of Tainui descent; leader and defender of Māori land rights
- Hilda Ross — humanitarian, first woman elected to the Hamilton Borough Council, MP
- Frank Sargeson — celebrated NZ writer.
- Peter Snell, gold medal winning distance runner at the 1964 Olympics
- Dame Catherine Tizard (nee Mclean) — Former Mayor of Auckland and first woman Governor-General of New Zealand
- Mark Todd — Olympic equestrian
- Te Atairangikaahu — Māori Queen 1966-2006
- Te Puea Herangi — Māori princess and leader
- Te Rauparaha — Māori chieftain and warrior
- Tuheitia Paki — Māori King 2006-present
- Wiremu Tamihana Te Piripi Te Waharoa — Māori King King maker
[edit] References
- ^ Carolyn Bain, George Dunford, Korina Miller, Sally O'Brien, Charles Rawlings-Way (2006). New Zealand (13th ed.). Lonely Planet. ISBN 1741045355. http://books.google.com/books?id=FHxJ4zuemtcC&pg=PA232&dq=Waikato+Region. Retrieved on 2009-07-06. page 232
