Waipā history
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A special place of worship
Pukeatua's War Memorial Church was established in 1955 as a unique tribute to local soldiers.
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Beginnings of a dairy giant
A butter factory built in Hautapu in 1885 eventually lead to NZ's largest co-operative, Fonterra.
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Booming in the 1950s
A surge of post-war prosperity and farming productivity resulted in growth for the Waipā district.
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Bridging the Waikato River
Cambridge's first bridge was swept downstream to Ngāruawāhia during a storm in November 1874.
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By river to the Waipā
In the 1880s the Waipā river was busy with riverboats, barges, and special summer picnic voyages.
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Deadly flu chokes district
1918's influenza epidemic killed dozens of people in Waipā and caused serious illness for many more.
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Empire Games rowing regatta
More than 20,000 spectators attended the first international regatta held at Lake Karāpiro in 1950.
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Fresh air, a cure for TB
In 1902 Maungakawa Hill became the location of NZ's first open-air tuberculosis sanatorium.
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Giant sheep fairs at Ōhaupō
From 1876, tens of thousands of sheep travelled the Main Trunk Line to be auctioned at Ōhaupō.
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Pā of Lake Ngāroto
Lake Ngāroto is the largest of Waipā's peat lakes and once was home to many Māori settlements.
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Peat lakes: special ecosystems
Collectively the biggest wetlands area in the country, Waipā's peat lakes are unique and essential.
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Propaganda wars
Used to print a pro-Kīngitanga newspaper, this press was a gift from Archduke Franz Josef.
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Reverend John Morgan
John Morgan played a key role in the global trade of Te Awamutu-grown flour.
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Schooling begins
Formal education in the area dates back to 1839, when a school was established for Māori children.
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Secret fuel bunker
During WWII, an aviation fuel depot was secretly built at Lake Te Koo Utu.
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Snaring birds
The district's vast forests provided an ample resource for traditional Māori bird harvesters.
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Te Awamutu's first newspaper
The first edition of The Waipa Post was published on 18 April 1911, filled with local news and ads.
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The eel harvest
When the Matariki stars appeared in the east, it was time to prepare for the eel harvest.
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The great Waipā ball
More than 100 well-dressed guests attended the 1876 ball held at the new public hall in Pirongia.
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"We will fight on for ever and ever!"
The great warrior chief, Rewi Maniapoto, was a prominent supporter of the Māori King movement.
