Te Rapa

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Suburb of Hamilton, New Zealand

title: "Te Rapa" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["suburbs-of-hamilton,-new-zealand", "rail-transport-in-waikato"] description: "Suburb of Hamilton, New Zealand" topic_path: "geography/new-zealand" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_Rapa" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Suburb of Hamilton, New Zealand ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox New Zealand suburb"]

FieldValue
nameTe Rapa
imageFile:North of Te Rapa and dairy factory from Hakarimatas.jpg
caption1Northern Te Rapa and dairy factory from Hakarimatas
coordinates
mapframey
mapframe-zoom11
popdate
popref
population
population_density_km2auto
arearef
area1316
trainstationsRotokauri railway station
wardWest Ward
city1Hamilton, New Zealand
councilHamilton City Council
::

| name=Te Rapa | image=File:North of Te Rapa and dairy factory from Hakarimatas.jpg | caption1=Northern Te Rapa and dairy factory from Hakarimatas | coordinates= | mapframe = y | mapframe-zoom = 11 | popdate= | popref= | population= | population_density_km2 = auto | arearef= | area=1316 | established= | trainstations = Rotokauri railway station | ward=West Ward | city1=Hamilton, New Zealand | council=Hamilton City Council Te Rapa is a mixed light industrial, large-scale retail and semi-rural suburb to the northwest of central Hamilton, New Zealand. It is built on a flat area that was previously the bed of an ancient river, the forerunner to the present Waikato River.

Stretching in a long, thin north–south axis, Te Rapa is home to many factories including Te Rapa Dairy Factory, one of the largest of its kind in the world.

Te Rapa has freight and locomotive depots on the North Island Main Trunk railway.

History

Te Rapa and neighbouring Pukete were important sites for the kauri gum trade of the late 19th/early 20th centuries, being some of the southern-most locations where gum could be found.

Demographics

Te Rapa covers 13.16 km2 and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.

Te Rapa had a population of 348 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 60 people (20.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 45 people (14.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 177 males, 168 females and 3 people of other genders in 168 dwellings. 4.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 30 people (8.6%) aged under 15 years, 48 (13.8%) aged 15 to 29, 96 (27.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 177 (50.9%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 80.2% European (Pākehā); 16.4% Māori; 2.6% Pasifika; 10.3% Asian; 0.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.7%, Māori language by 3.4%, and other languages by 9.5%. No language could be spoken by 0.9% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 18.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 48.3% Christian, 1.7% Hindu, 2.6% Māori religious beliefs, and 2.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 38.8%, and 7.8% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 39 (12.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 162 (50.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 123 (38.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. 12 people (3.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 99 (31.1%) people were employed full-time, 30 (9.4%) were part-time, and 3 (0.9%) were unemployed.

::data[format=table title="Individual statistical areas"] | Name | Area (km2) | Population | Density (per km2) || Dwellings | Median age | Median income | New Zealand | 38.1 years | $41,500 | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Te Rapa North | 8.38 | 135 | 16 | 54 | 39.5 years | $40,500 | | | | Te Rapa South | 4.78 | 213 | 45 | 114 | 77.7 years | $26,300 | | | ::

Te Rapa South has a high median age because 147 of the residents are in the Bupa Foxbridge Retirement Village and Care Home.

Shops

| centre = Te Rapa | northeast=Pukete | northwest=Rotokauri | west=Frankton | southwest=Forest Lake | south=Crawshaw | southeast=Beerescourt | east=St Andrews | north=Horotiu

Post Offices

There are two Post Shops in Te Rapa, at The Base and at Video Ezy, which, until 2018, was one of the last two in Hamilton renting DVDs, Play Station and videos. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/The_Base_carpark.jpg" caption="There are over 3,000 parking spaces at The Base"] ::

The Base

Main article: The Base (shopping centre)

Prior to being handed back to the Tainui tribe by the government as part of the Raupatu land settlement in 1995, Te Rapa was the site of a Royal New Zealand Air Force base. The base served as a major Air Force stores depot. The Te Rapa Air Force base closed in 1992.

Te Rapa's shopping area includes The Base, a large-scale retail development that opened in 2005 at the site of the former air force base. With the addition of the Te Awa building in 2010, The Base became New Zealand's largest shopping mall, and still is, as of December 2011. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Fonterra_Facility_Near_Hamilton.jpg" caption="Fonterra Factory"] ::

Fonterra Dairy Factory

One of Fonterra's largest dairy factories is to the east of the former SH1 in northern Te Rapa. It started to dry powder in 1967 and was officially opened on 20 April 1968 by New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, which became part of Fonterra in 2001. A butter, cream and cream cheese plant was added in 1997, another cream cheese line in 2013, and another butter line in about 2019.

It collects up to 7500000 l of milk a day from 1,000 farms. It has around 500 staff, producing roughly 80,000 tonnes a year, including 650 million packets of butter and 33,500 tonnes of cream cheese.

Up to 28000 m3 of Waikato River water are used in the processing. It is powered by a cogeneration unit, which uses 27 PJ of Genesis gas over 6 years. The chimneys are over 35 m high.

Te Rapa Racecourse

Located in Te Rapa is Te Rapa Racecourse, Hamilton's only remaining horse racing course, and the main racecourse for the Waikato region. It has a symmetrical left-handed (anti-clockwise) track with a circumference of 1788 metres.

The course originated with Waikato Turf Club in 1873, which met at Whatawhata and Pirongia. In 1887 it became the South Auckland Racing Club at Claudelands, renamed Hamilton Racing Club in 1916 and moving to 400 acre at Te Rapa in 1924.[[File:Te_Rapa_racecourse.jpg|thumb|Te Rapa racecourse and part of Forest Lake Gardens Retirement Complex]]

Facilities and hospitalities include a members' facility and private suites.

Major races held at the Te Rapa racecourse include:

Waterworld

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Plaque1981.JPG" caption="In 1981, this plaque was unveiled by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] at the Centennial Pools."] ::

Waterworld (also known as Te Rapa Pools) is a Hamilton city council-owned pool complex in Te Rapa. In addition to the main facilities, the venue also includes a range of other options including a spa, sauna and steam rooms as well as an outdoor playground. Rides offered at Waterworld include The Python Hydroslide, the Twister Slide and The Screamer Speedslides. The complex was officially opened in late 1976, 15 years after Hamilton Jaycees suggested a new swimming pool complex in Fairfield Park. The suggestion led to an adopted proposal in 1964 to mark the city's centennial and in 1973 the decision was made to instead build the complex in Te Rapa. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Te_Rapa_Road_in_2008.jpg" caption="Te Rapa Road is the main road in Te Rapa. It has parking areas either side of the 4-lane road, but sometimes no footpath"] ::

Transport

Road

Immediately after the invasion of the Waikato, in 1864, there was just a track across the area linking Mangaharakeke (or Manuharakeke) Pā and Kirikiriroa Pā. By 1870 bridges had been built over the streams. An 1875 report said the bridges at Waitawhiriwhiri, Mangaharakeke, Beere's Creek and Hall's Creek, between Ngāruawāhia and Hamilton on the Great South Road, had been replaced, or repaired. Until Mangaharakeke Dr opened in 2012, much of the 1860s road, now known as Te Rapa Rd, was part of SH1. See also - List of streets in Hamilton.

Railway

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/NZR_DL_Class_at_Te_Rapa.jpg" caption="Railway sidings at Te Rapa with the suburb of Forest Lake in the background"] ::

Te Rapa railway station opened when the North Island Main Trunk was extended from Ngāruawāhia to Hamilton on 19 December 1877. Te Rapa is at the northern end of the section to Palmerston North, electrified in 1988. Electrification ends just north of the 545 km post (distance north of Wellington). A locomotive depot and marshalling yard incorporated the Racecourse station site. There is also a concrete sleeper factory at Te Rapa.[[File:Te_Rapa_hump_yard,_Hamilton.jpg|thumb|upright|Aerial view of Te Rapa hump yard in 1972]]

Te Rapa Racecourse station

£720 was spent to open Te Rapa Racecourse passenger platform,** near the south-west end of the course, on 15 October 1924. The mileage to the middle of the Racecourse platform was reported as 82 mi in 1924 (Frankton Jct was 83 mi from Auckland in 1882, but that station was moved north in 1909).** The first excursions seem to have been advertised for Labour Day, 27 October 1924. The last advert was in November 1943. In 1930 the line was double tracked and equipped with automatic signalling. Associated with that work, footbridge No 62A was built in 1929 (it was removed about 1963) and 10 ch long landings were formed at rail level on both lines, with access to the back of the racecourse. By January 1935 horse loading banks had been completed. Approval to remove them was given in 1953, after being disused for years.** Final closure was in late 1967. Aerial photos show that the site of the station, and an area to the north, was later used for the marshalling yard and then the locomotive and freight depot.

Freight

On 1 April 2003 a container terminal opened, with overhead lines, for shunting by electric locomotives.**

Crawford Street depot

Fonterra's Crawford St depot is linked by rail to local dairy factories at Te Awamutu, Morrinsville, Waitoa, Hautapu, Waharoa, Lichfield and Tīrau. It sends about 33,000 containers of milk powder and cheese a year for export via the Port of Tauranga. An automated cool store was added in 2009 to handle about 235,000 tonnes a year.

Te Rapa Marshalling Yard

Construction of a new marshalling yard near the Racecourse began in December 1967. The yard replaced Frankton goods yard and opened on 10 January 1971. It had a hump for shunting, which used Westinghouse retarders and 31 sidings.

Education

Te Rapa School is a full primary school catering for years 1-8. It has students. Te Rapa School has been the local primary school since 1906.

St Peter Chanel Catholic School is a state integrated full primary school catering for years 1-8. It has students.

Both these schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of

References

References

  1. (1989). "Kauri Gum and the Gumdiggers". The Bush Press.
  2. "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service".
  3. {{NZ census 2018. Te Rapa North (175200) and Te Rapa South (176300)
  4. "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
  5. "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
  6. "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer.
  7. "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer.
  8. "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service".
  9. "PostShop/Kiwibank Locator".
  10. "KIDS DVDS, FAMILY DVDS, ACTION, DRAMA, XBOX GAMES CONSULS, PLAY STATION, GAMES BLURAY EVEN THE SHELVING - Neighbourly Beerescourt, Hamilton".
  11. Mark Smith. (2012). "Ngaruawahia 1980-2010 A Brief History". Lions Club of Ngaruawahia Incorporated Charitable Trust.
  12. (2017-06-02). "Fonterra builds value-add capacity at Te Rapa to meet Chinese demand".
  13. (2018-04-20). "Te Rapa celebrates 50 years".
  14. (2019-06-21). "Opening the Gates at Te Rapa".
  15. Suze, Metherell. (2014-06-25). "Contact extends Fonterra electricity supply at Te Rapa, will buy Genesis gas".
  16. (Nov 2018). "Application to renew existing consents (Various) At Te Rapa, Hamilton".
  17. "About Us".
  18. [http://www.nzracing.co.nz/Goracing/Racecourse.aspx/50 NZ Racing] Retrieved December 2011
  19. link. (2012-04-26 Retrieved December 2011)
  20. (14 October 1976). "Hamilton Suburbs I Te Rapa Information Kit". Hamilton Public Library.
  21. "Historical Maps Collection - Map of part of the Waikato River No.2".
  22. (1870). "Historical Maps Collection - Sketch map of the Waikato District".
  23. (3 August 1875). "Public Works Statement, by the Minister for Public Works, The Hon. Edward Richardson".
  24. "New length of Waikato Expressway now open to traffic".
  25. (Nov 2018). "KiwiRail Network Map".
  26. (23 March 2012). "Concrete sleeper factory opens".
  27. (18 February 1924). "New Zealand Herald Page 10".
  28. ''Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand'' by Juliet Scoble (2012)
  29. (22 October 1924). "New Zealand Herald Page 20".
  30. (24 Oct 1924). "WAIKATO TIMES".
  31. (13 November 1943). "Auckland Star Page 10".
  32. "RAILWAYS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, THE HON. W. A. VEITCH. (Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1930-01-01)".
  33. (3 Dec 1948). "Survey Number: SN525".
  34. (1 Dec 1983). "Survey Number: SN8268".
  35. "Te Rapa Rd".
  36. Scoble, Juliet. "Station Archive".
  37. (2006-09-14). "Waikato freight rail link reopens". The New Zealand Herald.
  38. (May 2015). "PRESENTATION OF HAMILTON'S ECONOMY".
  39. (10 September 2010). "Fonterra opens New Zealand's largest cool store".
  40. "Stations".
  41. (1967). "Parliamentary Debates. House of Representatives".
  42. "Juliet Scoble: Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand".
  43. Representatives, New Zealand Parliament House of. (1970). "Parliamentary Debates".
  44. (3 Dec 1972). "Survey Number: SN2553 Run Number: B Photo Number: 6".
  45. {{TKI. 2020. Te Rapa School
  46. "Te Rapa Primary School Website".
  47. {{TKI. 1964. St Peter Chanel Catholic School

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suburbs-of-hamilton,-new-zealandrail-transport-in-waikato