Meremere
Encyclopedia
Meremere is a small town in the northern Waikato
region in the North Island
of New Zealand
. It is located on the east bank of the Waikato River
, 50 kilometres north of Hamilton
.
Meremere was the site of fighting in 1863 during the Māori Wars, at which time the settlement (then known as Mere Mere) was the site of a Māori defensive outpost.
For a number of years a coal fired power station operated in Meremere, and much of the workforce lived in the town. The station was a notable landmark for travellers along State Highway 1
, which runs past the town. The station closed a number of years ago and plans were in place for it to be dismantled, however the remains of the station have been granted a reprieve and a 10 year agreement is now in place to utilise the site as a recycling center.
The town's population is predominantly Māori (over 66% at the 2006 census), and dwindled considerably up until 2001 but increased by 2006. In 2006 it stood at 459, and increase of 105 people from the previous census in 1996.
facility, is nearby and hosts many popular motorsports events throughout the year including Import All-Stars
, 4&Rotary Nationals, Nostalgia Drags, the NZDRA Championships and Nightspeed Dragwars. In addition, a new motorsports circuit has been constructed alongside State Highway 1 to the south of Meremere at Hampton Downs
.
Waikato
The Waikato Region is a local government region of the upper North Island of New Zealand. It covers the Waikato, Hauraki, Coromandel Peninsula, the northern King Country, much of the Taupo District, and parts of Rotorua District...
region in the North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is located on the east bank of the Waikato River
Waikato River
The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand. In the North Island, it runs for 425 kilometres from the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu, joining the Tongariro River system and emptying into Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. It drains Taupo at the lake's northeastern edge, creates the...
, 50 kilometres north of Hamilton
Hamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...
.
Meremere was the site of fighting in 1863 during the Māori Wars, at which time the settlement (then known as Mere Mere) was the site of a Māori defensive outpost.
For a number of years a coal fired power station operated in Meremere, and much of the workforce lived in the town. The station was a notable landmark for travellers along State Highway 1
State Highway 1 (New Zealand)
State Highway 1 is the longest and most significant road in the New Zealand roading network, running the length of both main islands. It appears on road maps as SH 1 and on road signs as a white number 1 on a red shield, but it has the official designations SH 1N in the North Island, SH 1S in the...
, which runs past the town. The station closed a number of years ago and plans were in place for it to be dismantled, however the remains of the station have been granted a reprieve and a 10 year agreement is now in place to utilise the site as a recycling center.
The town's population is predominantly Māori (over 66% at the 2006 census), and dwindled considerably up until 2001 but increased by 2006. In 2006 it stood at 459, and increase of 105 people from the previous census in 1996.
Drag strip
Fram Autolite Dragway, New Zealand's only permanent drag racingDrag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
facility, is nearby and hosts many popular motorsports events throughout the year including Import All-Stars
Import All-Stars
Import All-Stars is an import drag racing event organised by Parkside Media and NZ Performance Car magazine. First held in 2007, it was rerun on 29 March 2008. Both events have been held at Fram Autolite Dragway, Meremere....
, 4&Rotary Nationals, Nostalgia Drags, the NZDRA Championships and Nightspeed Dragwars. In addition, a new motorsports circuit has been constructed alongside State Highway 1 to the south of Meremere at Hampton Downs
Hampton Downs
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park is situated in North Waikato , New Zealand near the Meremere drag strip and the dirt track club. The motorsport park is an ambitious privately funded enterprise and the construction began in February 2007. The completion was planned for late 2008 but a particularly wet...
.