History
On the Waikato River, small private beaches and tiny communities are still alive with local Maori culture and history. The lower region of the Waikato River played a large part in the early history of New Zealand. In 1863-64 it was used by the British as a passage for their gunboats to get close enough to shell the local Maori fortifications (pa's) during the land wars. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the western North Island contained some of the most densely populated parts of New Zealand, inhabited by iwi such as Ngāti Toa and Tainui.
The Waikato has a prominent history, particularly regarding relationships between Māori and European in early colonial New Zealand. During the Land Wars of the 1860s, the Waikato was the scene of major bloodshed in what is referred to as the Invasion of the Waikato. During 1863 and 1864 fighting occurred at Meremere, Ngaruawahia, Rangiaowhia (southwest of Cambridge), and Orakau (near Te Awamutu). Eventually the King Movement forces pulled back to positions in the area tothe south of the Waikato, still known as the King Country. In more recent and tranquil times at Matamata there is a farm that was the location for the Hobbiton set in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
When filming was complete it was decided to leave the Hobbit holes built on location as tourist attractions, since they were designed to blend seamlessly into the environment. A "Welcome to Hobbiton" sign greets visitors on the main road. Waikato’s famous sons include Richard O’Brien, who was the writer of the international cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Tim & Neil Finn from the bands Spliz Enz & Crowded House.
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