In order to understand the issues that surround this topic,
it is important to know background information about the area. In particular, it is important to geographically understand where the Waikato is, who the people are, and what (in terms of industry affecting the environment) the Waikato is up to.
Where?
 |
| The Waikato Region and main population centres. Source: Ministry for the Environment. |
In terms of the Waikato region, I define it as the Waikato
Regional Councils boundaries. This basically encompasses all of the Waikato river
catchment. Located in the north central portion of the North Island of New Zealand, the
Waikato region covers 25,000km2 of land. The Waikato extends from Mt
Ruapehu in the south encompassing Lake
Taupo, and includes the both the Waikato and Hauraki areas, as well as the
Coromandel Penisula in the North East. Major populated centres of the area
include the city of Hamilton, and smaller townships, namely; Te Awamutu,
Tokoroa, and Taupo. This area spans across eleven local territorial authorities
(referred to as district and city councils in New Zealand). Major rivers in the
region include the Waikato and Waipa rivers.
Who?
As of the 2013 New Zealand Census, the Waikato region is
home to approximately 380,000 people. Over time, the population has been
steadily increasing, up 24,000 people since the last census of 2006 (StatsNZ, 2013).
Maori have a historic link to the region, with the small
village of Ngaurawahia being the tribal homeland of the Kingitanga movement.
Local tribes include the large Tainui tribe, Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Raukawa,
and Ngati Tuwharetoa. Maori share both a spiritual and historical link to the
region, and issues such as water quality and the general state of the natural
environment is of great importance to this large section of the Waikato
population.
What?
Industries play an important role in this region’s economy.
The Waikato has a lot of small towns that are reliant on primary industries
such as dairy farming in order to provide employment. Towns such as
Morrinsville were originally heavily reliant on the timber industry, however
that has since declined. Huntly is another Waikato township that relied on the
once thriving mining industry, which has also passed it’s former glory days of
old. Now, with decent commodity prices for milk solids, dairy farming is a
lucrative industry that is now one of the more dominant employers in the area. Examples of this could be the Tatua and Fonterra cooperatives which are major dairy companies operating within the region.
_______________________________________________________________
Sources:
The Waikato Region image - http://www.mfe.govt.nz/environmental-reporting/air/previous-air-indicator-reports/pm10/nes/waikato/
Statistics of the Waikato -http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2006CensusHomePage/QuickStats/AboutAPlace/SnapShot.aspx?id=1000003&type=region&ParentID=
No comments:
Post a Comment