About Our District
Welcome to Waipa – Home of Champions
At the heart of the Waikato Region lies the Waipa District, home to 42,500 residents and 1467 square kilometres of lush pasture, forests, iconic mountains and world-renowned hydro lakes, yet within just an hour are top surf beaches, glow worm caves, bustling city life and snow activities. Click here to view a short (2 minutes 10 seconds) video about the Waipa District.
There are two main towns, Cambridge and Te Awamutu, plus the rural villages of Kihikihi, Pirongia, Ohaupo and Karapiro. Click here to view a Waipa District Map.
Lake Karapiro is the home of rowing, and in 2010 we will be hosting the World Rowing Championships for the second time. The lake also hosts waka ama, hydroplanes, triathlons and yachting. If you prefer off-water action, Kihikihi Domain hosts international polo, eventing and speedway, top netball and basketball fixtures are played at the Te Awamutu Events Centre, and horse racing at the Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Pirongia Raceways.
Sports and recreation are a part of life in the Waipa District, and clubs including rugby, soccer, cricket, BMX, motorcross, golf, lawn bowls, athletics, cycling and racquet sports are available, along with multi-use sports grounds, hundreds of hectares of parks and public hardcourts.
A full range of schooling is available - preschool/kindergarten, primary, intermediate, secondary and tertiary, both private and public options. Waikato University and Waikato Institute of Technology are just a 30 minute drive away.
High quality soils, plentiful rainfall and a temperate climate have shaped an economy based on agriculture. Dairying is a major activity, but there are significant numbers of beef cattle, sheep and deer, while asparagus, blueberries and strawberries are also grown in large volumes.
Waipa District is an environmental mecca, with fine examples of peat lakes (16), native bush and wetlands. Of particular significance is pest-proofed Maungatautari mountain, which is now a haven for a wide range of threatened species including kiwi, takahe, and tuatara.
Whether you are stopping for a visit, or choosing to make Waipa your new home, you can be assured of a warm welcome, with all the facilities you would expect from a city set in a stunning rural landscape.
Waipa – Home of Champions…the great place to live, work and play!