18 | T T Richard Loader Waipā – the home of champions Lake Karapiro draws rowers from around the country. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Waipā District Council “Our population grew by 1.2 percent over the last year and that was led primarily by inward migration, while the average national growth was just 0.2%.” T T to page 20 They call their district the Home of Champions, and indeed it is, neatly nestled within the Waikato region. ‘They’ being the 60,000 souls who inhabit the rapidly growing district of Waipā, with its two main towns of Cambridge and Te Awamutu, along with a sprinkling of smaller villages in the outlying area, each with their own individual character, charm and each steeped in its own history. Bordered by Hamilton City on its northern side with the Waikato and Waipā rivers flowing within the district’s outer edges, Waipā’s rich geographic heritage is defined by the cones of Mt Pirongia, Kakepuku, Maungakawa and Maungatautari — the maunga of champions. Fifty percent of New Zealand’s carded athletes live in Cambridge. There is the world class Velodrome; Lake Karapiro draws rowers from around the country to compete in the secondary school regattas; Kihikihi Domain is a huge, multi-purpose international sports centre; and the district has long been internationally recognised for producing world-class galloping thoroughbreds. It is the Home of Champions and as the secret seeps from the bag, the district’s population grows with people wanting to be part of what makes Waipā special. “We are a growth district,” says Mayor Susan O’Regan, who was born and raised in Waipā, and deeply proud of it. “Our population grew by 1.2 percent over the last year and that was led primarily by inward migration, while the average national growth was just 0.2%. “We’re seen as a desirable district for a lot of reasons, including people wanting to send their kids to schools where they can have an Ag-day. “They want to grow vegetables in their backyards and get back to actual living and not stewing in traffic jams. There are also lots of people returning here who have roots to the district. It’s a great place to live, I don’t know why you would not want to live here.” Mayor O’Regan suspects land and house affordability in comparison to the price prohibitive levels in the major cities is also a strong drawcard for young families, and says Covid has also played its part. “People just decided that they didn’t want to live in the big cities. The standard of living is great here and you have all this wonderful outdoor activity. Sophisticated, modern towns, accessibility to ski fields, lakes, rivers and the coast, and the big city is not far away. “The Waikato Expressway coming through from Auckland has made a massive difference. “Geographically we’re perfectly situated and so have become attractive in that respect. People can live here and work from Auckland, people work remotely. If you have to hoot up to Auckland or Hamilton it’s easy to do now with that impressive roading network.” Over the last few years there have been an increasing number of retirement villages, largely in Cambridge, with one or two on Te Awamutu. The district is higher than average in the 65 plus age bracket, and that is predicted to increase. The Mayor says that successive mayors and councils have understood the need to grow the district population and there has been some very sound planning decisions made over several decades. CIVIL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES WE MAINTAIN AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION BY ENSURING EVERY PROJECT RECEIVES THE HIGHEST ATTENTION TO DETAIL, NO MATTER THE SIZE PO Box 57 Cambridge 3450 | 027 240 2502 civilcs.co.nz | john.macdonald@civilcs.co.nz ∙ Project management ∙ Natural habitat consulting, planning & restoration ∙ Pest plant/animal surveillance, control and monitoring ∙ Aerial, amphibious & ground based operations ∙ Site preparation, planting & releasing ∙ Landscape property management - rural & urban To protect, preserve and restore our natural and native history. 0274 404 052 ben@aotearoarestoration.co.nz APG Architects are proud to have partnered with Waipa District Council on projects where our common dedication to user-centered design and commercial success make better places. apgarchi tects.com We're about places for people • NZIA, RAIA & RIBA Registered Architects • Qualified Technical Staff • Fully Accredited NZIA Practice • Interior Designers • Project Co-ordinators
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