Ruakura

Last updated

Ruakura
Ruakura 1921.jpg
Ruakura State Farm in 1921
(homestead and stables in foreground)
Ruakura
Coordinates: 37°46′28.74″S175°18′37.07″E / 37.7746500°S 175.3102972°E / -37.7746500; 175.3102972
CountryNew Zealand
City Hamilton, New Zealand
Local authority Hamilton City Council
Electoral wardEast Ward
Established1888
Area
[1]
  Land902 ha (2,229 acres)
Population
 (June 2023) [2]
  Total2,560
Enderley Fairview Downs Eureka
Claudelands
Pfeil oben.svg
Pfeil links.svgRuakuraPfeil rechts.svg
Pfeil unten.svg
Newstead
Hamilton East Hillcrest Silverdale

Ruakura is a semi-rural suburb of Hamilton City, in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The University of Waikato is nearby.

Contents

The area lies to the east of urban Hamilton and to the west of State Highway 1B (a variant of State Highway 1 which avoids the urban area).

Ruakura Agriculture Research Centre

Waikato Agricultural College and Model Farm was set up in 1888, [3] so that Ruakura is now synonymous with the Ruakura Agriculture Research Centre, the location of institutes such as AgResearch and Plant & Food Research. Areas of AgResearch's research at Ruakura include animal molecular biology (genomics and cloning), reproductive technologies, agricultural systems modelling, land management, dairy science, meat science, food processing technology and safety, and animal behaviour and welfare. Plant & Food Research's site in Hamilton is home to its blueberry nursery, its Bioengineering Group and its Food and Biological Chemistry laboratory. Work is also carried out on biological control agents and plant fertilizer (Ruakura solution). [4] The Waikato region is a major contributor to New Zealand's agricultural-based economy, and Ruakura has an important role in that industry.

The Ruakura Agriculture Research Centre is on land owned by the Waikato Tainui, to whom it was returned by the Crown as part of their 1995 Waikato Raupatu Land Settlement.

The Waikato Regional Council included a majority of the land at Ruakura in the proposed Regional Policy Statement (PWRPS) as a future employment area. The Hamilton City Council Proposed District Plan gave effect to the PWRPS incorporating the Ruakura structure plan. The long-term plan for Ruakura is that it will be New Zealand's largest integrated commercial and lifestyle development anchored by a freight and logistics hub.[ citation needed ]

Demographics

Ruakura covers 9.02 km2 (3.48 sq mi) [1] and had an estimated population of 2,560 as of June 2023, [2] with a population density of 284 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006831    
2013900+1.15%
20181,158+5.17%
Source: [5]

Ruakura had a population of 1,158 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 258 people (28.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 327 people (39.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 189 households, comprising 549 males and 612 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.9 males per female. The median age was 20.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 132 people (11.4%) aged under 15 years, 666 (57.5%) aged 15 to 29, 312 (26.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 48 (4.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 61.1% European/Pākehā, 13.7% Māori, 5.4% Pacific peoples, 27.2% Asian, and 4.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 39.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.0% had no religion, 30.8% were Christian, 0.8% had Māori religious beliefs, 5.7% were Hindu, 2.3% were Muslim, 2.1% were Buddhist and 3.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 240 (23.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 51 (5.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $10,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 105 people (10.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 300 (29.2%) people were employed full-time, 174 (17.0%) were part-time, and 69 (6.7%) were unemployed. [5]

In the 2018 census a new Ruakura area was created, covering the University and a rural area on the city fringe. It is 9.02 km2 (3.48 sq mi). [6] Up to 2013 Ruakura was part of the 8.22 km2 (3.17 sq mi) Newstead area, which covered a similar area, but excluded the university. [7] As shown below, the change resulted in a much larger, younger and poorer population in 2018 than previously and younger than the 37.4 years of the national average. 61.1% were European, 27.2% Asian and 13.7% Māori. [8] Only 3 people lived in meshblock 0955300, at the Research Centre, in 2013. [7]

PopulationMedian income
YearRuakuraNewsteadMedian ageHouseholdsLocalNZ
200115930.551$24,200$18,500
200683117441.557$32,500$24,100
201390021636.281$33,800$27,900
20181,15820.6189$10,400$31,800

Education

Tai Wananga is a co-educational state secondary school located in Ruakura. [9] [10] It had a roll of 155. [11]

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Toku Mapihi Maurea is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8) with a roll of 96. [12] The school teaches primarily in the Māori language. [13]

Both schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of February 2024. [14]

Ruakura Junction railway station

Railway at Ruakura RuakuraRailway.jpg
Railway at Ruakura

Ruakura had a railway station from 1 October 1884 to 1 January 1967 [15] at the junction of the East Coast Main Trunk and the Cambridge Branch. The branch had its first public train on 8 October 1884. [16] Ruakura was 8.17 km (5.08 mi) west of Eureka and 3.94 km (2.45 mi) east of Claudelands. [17] it was 2.57 km (1.60 mi) north of Mongaonui (or Mongonui), later renamed Newstead. [15] When the line opened, Ruakura station was described as an island in a swamp, with no road connection. [18] In 2020 reopening as a "passenger rail Metro Station" was put forward as a COVID-19 recovery scheme, as part of a $150m scheme to relay tracks to Cambridge. [19]

 Former adjoining stations 
Claudelands
Line open, station closed
  East Coast Main Trunk
New Zealand Railways Department
  Eureka
Line open, station closed
Terminus  Cambridge Branch   Newstead
Line open, station closed

Employment area

In 2016, approval was given to create an employment area, with an inland port, served by the railway and the Hamilton Bypass. [20] The development will cover 485 ha (1,200 acres), including a 31 ha (77 acres) inland port to the west of the Research Centre. [21] Opening was planned in 2021. [22] In 2021, further developments for Ruakura have been planned to expand it as a residential and logistics suburb, [23] in addition to integrating Ruakura Road into the Waikato Expressway and improving business between regions outside of Waikato. [24] [25] [23] Businesses in the area include a Kmart Distribution Centre and cold storage depots. [26]

In July 2022, the New Zealand division of Kmart announced plans to shift their Auckland distribution centre to Hamilton, [27] with permission of the Waikato-Tainui iwi. [27] It has since opened in September 2023, [28] [29] [30] becoming the new North Island distribution centre for Kmart. [29] [30]

Inland port

The 9 ha (22 acres), $60m, Ruakura Inland Port, joint venture of Tainui Group Holdings and Port of Tauranga, had its first trains from Tauranga and Auckland on 3 August 2023. It has two 800 m (2,600 ft) sidings (about 90 containers per train), served by 2 trains a week. [26]

Residential areas

The 2016 Structure Plan included residential development to the north and south of the employment areas. [31]

Greenhill Park

Greenhill Park is a medium density suburb at the north west of the development, begun in 2016, [32] It adjoins Fairview Downs. A 110kV transmission line was undergrounded in 2020 to make way for more housing. [33]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton, New Zealand</span> City in North Island, New Zealand

Hamilton is an inland city in the North Island of New Zealand. Located on the banks of the Waikato River, it is the seat and most populous city of the Waikato region. With a territorial population of 185,300, it is the country's fourth most-populous city. Encompassing a land area of about 110 km2 (42 sq mi), Hamilton is part of the wider Hamilton Urban Area, which also encompasses the nearby towns of Ngāruawāhia, Te Awamutu and Cambridge. In 2020, Hamilton was awarded the title of most beautiful large city in New Zealand. Hamilton is now considered the fastest growing city in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tainui</span> New Zealand Māori tribal confederation

Tainui is a tribal waka confederation of New Zealand Māori iwi. The Tainui confederation comprises four principal related Māori iwi of the central North Island of New Zealand: Hauraki, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa and Waikato. There are other Tainui iwi whose tribal areas lay outside the traditional Tainui boundaries – Ngāi Tai in the Auckland area, Ngāti Raukawa ki Te Tonga and Ngāti Toa in the Horowhenua, Kāpiti region, and Ngāti Rārua and Ngāti Koata in the northern South Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waikato</span> Region of New Zealand

Waikato is a region of the upper North Island of New Zealand. It covers the Waikato District, Waipa District, Matamata-Piako District, South Waikato District and Hamilton City, as well as Hauraki, Coromandel Peninsula, the northern King Country, much of the Taupō District, and parts of the Rotorua Lakes District. It is governed by the Waikato Regional Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raglan, New Zealand</span> Minor urban area in Waikato, New Zealand

Raglan is a small beachside town located 48 km west of Hamilton, New Zealand on State Highway 23. It is known for its surfing, and volcanic black sand beaches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huntly, New Zealand</span> Town in Waikato, New Zealand

Huntly is a town in the Waikato district and region of the North Island of New Zealand. It was on State Highway 1, 95 kilometres (59 mi) south of Auckland and 32 kilometres (20 mi) north of Hamilton. It is situated on the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) railway and straddles the Waikato River. Huntly is within the Waikato District which is in the northern part of the Waikato region local government area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Awamutu</span> Town in Waikato, New Zealand

Te Awamutu is a town in the Waikato region in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the council seat of the Waipa District and serves as a service town for the farming communities which surround it. Te Awamutu is located some 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Hamilton on State Highway 3, one of the two main routes south from Auckland and Hamilton.

Tokoroa is the fourth-largest town in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand and largest settlement in the South Waikato District. Located 30 km southwest of Rotorua and 20 km south of Putāruru, close to the foot of the Mamaku Ranges, it is midway between Taupō and Hamilton on State Highway 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawhia Harbour</span> Harbour and settlement in Waikato, New Zealand

Kawhia Harbour is one of three large natural inlets in the Tasman Sea coast of the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located to the south of Raglan Harbour, Ruapuke and Aotea Harbour, 40 kilometres southwest of Hamilton. Kawhia is part of the Ōtorohanga District and is in the King Country. It has a high-tide area of 68 km2 (26 sq mi) and a low-tide area of 18 km2 (6.9 sq mi). Te Motu Island is located in the harbour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Waikato</span> Settlement in Waikato, New Zealand

Port Waikato is a New Zealand town that sits on the south bank of the Waikato River, at its outflow into the Tasman Sea, in the northern Waikato.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Kauwhata</span> Town in Waikato, New Zealand

Te Kauwhata is a small town in the north of the Waikato region of New Zealand, situated close to the western shore of Lake Waikare, some 40 km north of Hamilton and approximately 58 km south of Manukau City. The township is surrounded by dairy farms, drystock holdings and horticulture. Its newest building is its Waikato District Council library. Originally known as Wairangi, Te Kauwhata grew around a railway station built in the late 1870s.

Waikato Tainui, Waikato or Tainui is a group of Māori iwi based in Waikato Region, in the western central region of New Zealand's North Island. It is part of the larger Tainui confederation of Polynesian settlers who arrived to New Zealand on the Tainui waka. The tribe is named after the Waikato River, which plays a large part in its history and culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton East, New Zealand</span> Suburb of Hamilton, New Zealand

Hamilton East is a suburb in central Hamilton in New Zealand. The suburb's primary commercial and retail precinct is located along Grey Street. Hamilton East is characterised by villas and bungalows built early in the 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rototuna</span> Suburb of Hamilton, New Zealand

Rototuna is a suburb in northern Hamilton, New Zealand, east of Flagstaff. It is one of the newest and fastest-growing suburbs in Hamilton, along with neighbouring Huntington and Flagstaff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enderley</span> Suburb of Hamilton, New Zealand

Enderley is a suburb of Hamilton, New Zealand. It became a part of Hamilton in the 5th boundary extension in 1949. It is the highest ranking suburb for socio-economic deprivation in eastern Hamilton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rotokauri</span> Suburb of Hamilton, New Zealand

Rotokauri is a semi-rural suburb split between western Hamilton and Waikato District in New Zealand. It is one of the future urban zones of Hamilton, along with Peacocke. The northeastern parts of Rotokauri, within Hamilton, are sometimes called Burbush and Baverstock. Part of Rotokauri was taken into Hamilton with the 10th city extension in November 1989. Until then it had been in the Waipa County Council area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton City Council (New Zealand)</span>

Hamilton City Council is the territorial authority for the New Zealand city of Hamilton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whatawhata</span> Town in Waikato, New Zealand

Whatawhata, previously also spelt Whata Whata, is a small town in the Waikato region on the east bank of the Waipā River, at the junction of State Highways 23 and 39, 12 km (7.5 mi) from Hamilton. Te Araroa tramping route passes through Whatawhata.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rangiriri</span> Settlement in Waikato, New Zealand

Rangiriri is a rural community in the Waikato District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on the Waikato River near Lake Waikare in the Waikato District. State Highway 1 now bypasses Rangiriri.

Matangi is a settlement in the Waikato District on the eastern border of Hamilton. It is surrounded by many lifestyle blocks, but the village centre has Matangi School, a garage, Four Square, takeaway and café, Matangi Hall, St David’s church and Matangi recreation reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Ākau</span> Settlement in Waikato, New Zealand

Te Ākau is a small farming settlement in the North Island of New Zealand, located 62 km (39 mi) north west of Hamilton, 39 km (24 mi) south west of Huntly, 45 km (28 mi) south of Port Waikato and 47 km (29 mi), or 19 km (12 mi) by ferry and road, north of Raglan. It has a hall and a school.

References

  1. 1 2 "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand . Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. "SUBMISSION ON VARIATION 1 RUAKURA" (PDF). Hamilton City Council. December 2015.
  4. Smith, G. S.; Johnston, C. M.; Cornforth, I. S. (1983). "Comparison of nutrient solutions for growth of plants in sand culture". The New Phytologist. 94 (4): 537–548. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1983.tb04863.x . ISSN   1469-8137.
  5. 1 2 "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Ruakura (179200). 2018 Census place summary: Ruakura
  6. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  7. 1 2 "2013 Census map – QuickStats about a place". archive.stats.govt.nz. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  8. "2018 Census place summaries". www.stats.govt.nz. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  9. "Official School Website". ruakura.taiwananga.co.nz.
  10. "Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  11. "Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  12. Education Counts: Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Toku Mapihi Maurea
  13. "Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Toku Mapihi Maurea – 27/01/2015". Education Review Office. 27 January 2015.
  14. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  15. 1 2 Scoble, Juliet. "Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand 1863 to 2010" (PDF). Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand.
  16. "Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 AUCKLAND STAR". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 3 October 1884. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  17. Yonge, John Roger; Company, Quail Map (1993). New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas. Quail Map Company. ISBN   9780900609923.{{cite book}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  18. "The Opening. WAIKATO TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 9 October 1884. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  19. "URBAN GROWTH PROGRAMME INITIATIVES" (PDF). Hamilton City Council. 3 April 2020.
  20. "History". Ruakura. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  21. "Pictures reveal true size of Ruakura Inland Port". Stuff. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  22. "Media Hub". Ruakura. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  23. 1 2 "Major road closures coming to Hamilton's Ruakura Rd". NZ Herald. 28 July 2021.
  24. "Ruakura Road upgrade". Hamilton City Council.
  25. "Ruakura". Hamilton City Council.
  26. 1 2 "First goods trains welcomed as Ruakura Inland Port set to transform freight moves across Upper North Island". www.ruakura.co.nz. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  27. 1 2 "Stuff".
  28. "Kmart opens first distribution centre at Ruakura Superhub". Radio New Zealand . 7 September 2023.
  29. 1 2 "Stuff".
  30. 1 2 "Kmart blessed, open and operational".
  31. "Figure 2-14: Ruakura Structure Plan – Land Use" (PDF). Hamilton City Council. 21 October 2016.
  32. "Hearing to consider Variation 1 – Ruakura to the Hamilton City Council Proposed District Plan" (PDF). Hamilton City Council. 15 July 2016.
  33. "Developer spends $15m to put high voltage lines underground". Stuff. Retrieved 15 April 2020.