Te Kuiti
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Te Kuiti
Image:NZ-Te Kuiti.png Te Kuiti is a small town in the south of the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. It lies at the junction of State Highways 3 and 30, 70 km south of the city of Hamilton. It can also be visited by train via the North Island Main Trunk Railway.
As of the 2001 census Te Kuiti had a usually-resident population of 4,374, a decrease of 5.1% since 1991. The town promotes itself as the sheep-shearing capital of the world and is host to the annual New Zealand National Shearing Championships
Sheep
April 1st 2006, saw the largest sheep showing in the world take place at Te Kuiti, with more than 2000 sheep. Ref. Television NZ News.
Location
Te Kuiti is approx 80 km south of Hamilton and 19 km south-east of Waitomo. The area around Te Kuiti, commonly known as the King Country, gives its name to the NPC rugby team based in Te Kuiti.
Image:CloudsOverTeKuiti2v31Jan06.jpg
History
Te Kuiti is the maori name given to the area, that literally means "the valley".
Tourism
The "Shearing Capital of the World" contains the world's largest shearer, seven metres high. The carved Te Tokanganui-A-Noho Meeting House was gifted to the local Maori people (Ngati Maniapoto) by Te Kooti, a famous Maori leader. The Waitomo Caves lie to the northwest of the town.
Geology
Limestone deposits and water have created the Waitomo Caves, one of New Zealands most visited tourist locations.
Te Kuiti Notables
- All Black great Colin Meads still calls Te Kuiti home.
- World Champion Sheep Shearer David Fagan
- Author Ruth Park grew up in Te Kuiti.
- Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jim Bolger held the local electorate of King Country.
- Bessie Moss (nee Croall) was born (1920) and married (1937) in Te Kuiti.
- Te Kuiti is the birthplace of Australian-based comedian and author Tony Martin.