Cambridge, New Zealand
| Cambridge | |
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| Town | |
 Cambridge
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| Coordinates: 37°53′S 175°28′E / 37.883°S 175.467°ECoordinates: 37°53′S 175°28′E / 37.883°S 175.467°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato |
| Territorial authority | Waipa District |
| Population (June 2016) | |
| • Total | 19,600 |
Cambridge (Māori: Kemureti) is a town in the Waipa District of the Waikato Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Situated 24 kilometres southeast of Hamilton, on the banks of the Waikato River, Cambridge is known as "The Town of Trees & Champions". The town has a population of 19,600, making it the largest town in the Waipa District, and third largest urban area in the Waikato (after Hamilton and Taupo).
Prior to the arrival of Europeans there were a number of pā in the vicinity of what would become Cambridge. In the 1850s missionaries and farmers from Britain settled in the area and introduced modern farming practices to local Māori, helping them set up two flour mills and importing grinding wheels from England and France. During the 1850s wheat was a profitable cash crop but when merchants in Auckland began purchasing cheaper grain from Australia the market went into decline.
The European town of Cambridge was established when the 3rd Regiment of the Waikato Militia were settled there in 1864 following the Invasion of the Waikato. The town was named after Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army at the time.
Cambridge and nearby Lake Karapiro have become the homes for national sports organisations such as cycling (track, road, mountain biking and BMX), rowing, triathlon and as high performance centres for kayaking and canoeing.
The national Home of Cycling, the Avantidrome, was opened by Prince William and Princess Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on 12 April 2014. In December 2015, Cambridge hosted the 2015–16 UCI Track Cycling World Cup. There are also many cycle and walking tracks that have been purpose built around Cambridge. The Te Awa River Ride currently has two paths open which are excellent for cyclists and walkers. The purpose built track runs from the center of Cambridge out to the Avantidrome and follows the beautiful Waikato river. There is also a wide cycleway running from Leaminton to Lake Karapiro Domain which is perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
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