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.[1]
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.[2]
Fram Autolite Dragway,[3] New Zealand's only permanent drag racing facility, is nearby and hosts many popular motorsports events throughout the year including Import All-Stars, 4&Rotary Nationals, Nostalgia Drags, the NZDRA[4] 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.