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Edgecumbe
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Edgecumbe is a town in the Bay of Plenty of the North Island of New Zealand, 15 kilometres to the west of Whakatane and eight kilometres south of the Bay's coast. It is the main service town for the agricultural region surrounding the plains of the Rangitaiki River, which flows through the town. It has a population of approximately 1800, though that number is falling.
The town is named after the small village of Edgecumbe in Cornwall, United Kingdom, between Penryn and Helston.
State Highway 2 passes through the town.
The three main landmarks are the Fonterra dairy factory, the college [1] and the Riverslea shopping mall.
Beside the main road is a 1.5-metre tablet engraved with the 10 commandments, which was placed there after a local woman had a dream that she should place it there to guide the town's youth.
In 1987 a massive earthquake centered on Edgecumbe shook the Bay of Plenty, causing widespread damage.
In July 2004 and May 2005 the town experienced heavy flooding that ruined many homes.[2] In the 2005 flood, the river swelled to within 2 inches of breaching the flood banks that had been put in place seven years prior.
The volcanic cone of Mount Edgecumbe, 15 kilometres to the south and close to the town of Kawerau, is visible from Edgecumbe.
The football club Plains Rangers AFC[3] is based at the Edgecumbe Domain, along with rugby and hockey.
The Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire brigade[4] is located on SH2 and services the township and surrounding area