description
Waikato is the name of a region in
the North Island of New Zealand. Exact boundaries of the
region depend largely on the use of the name, but in all
cases it refers to an area around the city of Hamilton
and extending along the banks of the Waikato River.
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.
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.
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the western North
Island contained some of the most densely populated
parts of New Zealand, inhabited by iwi such as Ngati Toa
and Tainui.
The Waikato has a prominent history, particularly
regarding relationships between Māori and European in
early colonial New Zealand. During the Land Wars of the
1860s, the Waikato was the scene of major bloodshed in
what is referred to as the Invasion of the Waikato.
Largely in retaliation for Waikato Māori helping
Taranaki Māori protect their land in the earlier
Taranaki War, the colonial government — with the help of
troops brought from Britain — pushed south from the main
settlement of Auckland, fighting several defensive lines
organised by the combined iwi of the King Movement.
During 1863 and 1864 fighting occurred at Meremere,
Ngaruawahia, Rangiaowhia (southwest of Cambridge) and at
Orakau (near Te Awamutu). Eventually the King Movement's
forces pulled back to positions in the area to the south
of the Waikato, still known as the King Country. The
Orakau siege was immortalised in one of New Zealand's
first motion pictures as Rewi's Last Stand in 1925.
The National Marae, Turangawaewae, is at Ngaruawahia. It
is the seat of newly crowned Māori King Tuheitia Paki. |
