Te Kauwhata

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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. Its population in 2006 was 1294.

Te Kauwhata is the site of a diverse range of farms, including dairy and dry stock, and extensive onion cultivation as well as a thriving town of approximately 13,000 (including surrounding areas). Of note is that Te Kauwhata, or TK as the locals say, is bordered by the largest swamp in the southern hemisphere.

It contains a primary school, a college as well as two early childhood learning centres. Te Kauwhata has numerous sporting attractions with rugby fields, squash courts, netball courts, golf courses, cricket pitches, with the easy option to convert some to the use of hockey and football when needed. There is also a community fitness centre with gym and swimming pool, a retirement village and outdoor bowling green.

[edit] Viticulture

Te Kauwhata lies at the centre of one of New Zealand's smaller wine-producing regions, which stretches from Pukekohe, just south of Auckland, across to Thames and Paeroa at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula. The region is particularly notable for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines.

A government research station was set up in 1886 to explore different crop options. Romeo Bragato took over the running of this station in 1901 ^[1], with the first wine produced there in 1903^[2]. The research station is now in private hands, as part of Rongopai wines, which has been subsequently bought out by Babich Wines, but the original buildings are still in use as a cellar door.

[edit] World famous in Te Kauwhata

Tony Cotman - VP for the Indy Racing League, TK local

David Baine - served 12 years of a life sentence before his final appeal to the Privy Council was successful in May 2007, moved to TK after he was released from prison

World Rally Championship - Did use TK as a check-point during the cancelled Maramarua stage duirng the 1990's

Te Kauwhata Vintage Fire Truck - Used for the funerals for the Tamahere Coolstore firefighters

Coordinates: 37°24′S, 175°09′E