Paeroa

Paeroa is a small town in the northern Waikato region in New Zealand. It lies in an area known as Thames Valley at the base of the Coromandel Peninsula. The city is located near the confluence of the rivers Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers, 20 km from the coast of the Firth of Thames. Administratively it belongs to the Hauraki District. In census 1996 4.062 were counted and 2001 3.879 2006 3.975 permanent residents.

Paeroa is geographically located at the junction of State Highways 2 and 26. Paeroa is the service center for the Hauraki District and a popular stop on the way between Auckland and Tauranga / Rotorua. It is located about halfway between Auckland and Tauranga. Paeroa is also the southern gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula, the eastern gateway to the Bay of Plenty and the Karangahake Gorge Gorge.

Paeroa is known for its mineral springs, which supply since 1907, also the water for a well known soft drink in New Zealand, Lemon & Paeroa.

The today to Coca Cola brand owned by Lemon & Paeroa ( or L & P) has the slogan " World Famous in New Zealand" ( " World famous in New Zealand " ) and perhaps the largest soft drink bottle in the world.

History

1779 James Cook circumnavigated New Zealand. When his ship off the mouth of the Waihou was, he explored the river with a long boat up to the present Netherton, just a few kilometers from the place where 100 years later Paeroa was born.

The area was explored briefly in October 1826 by Captain James Herd. This had two ships under his command, the Lambton and the Isabella ( or Rosanna ). Stove was sent by the organization later as New Zealand Company known on an expedition. He claimed to have bought 4000 km ² of land from the Māori in Hokianga and Manukau.

In 1869, camped in advance of the run on the Ohinemuri goldfields numerous miners at Casherells landing site Puke.

1870 leased Asher Casserels, a Lithuanian Jew, a process known as Paeroa piece of land by the Maori. This included the Primrose Hill and the largest part of today's city center.

Six years later, the surveyor James Mackay and mining minister Sir David McLean entered into negotiations with the Maori chiefs Tukukino and Taraia that opened the gold fields for the mining industry. 600 prospectors flocked on March 3, 1875, Karangahake, which was regarded as the Eldorado.

A tent city with 1,600 inhabitants, about 20 shops and liquor stores arose. The large gold benches as Talisman and Crown were soon discovered, however, proved difficult to exploit. The need to reduce the quartz rock heavy machinery had to be brought up by Paeroa the Waihou River. The river was the only transport connection; two shipping lines were operated here. Paeroa, therefore, was a thriving logistics center.

When the Northern Steamship Company merged with its competitor, the quays two miles had in 1892 by one body moved downriver near the Bank of New Zealand ( Wharf Street). Finally, the increasing silting forced by mining to a further change of location to a location just below the Puke Bridge. It developed into a lively freight traffic with four ships which plied between Auckland, Thames and Paeroa. The railroad supplanted the ships gradually, which in turn had to give way to the street.

As the largest operator of horse cart, Brenan and Company, on trucks switch, you bought the steamboat and named the truck after the ships. The trucks from Navistar International and Ford were given names such as Waimarie Taniwha or painted. When the transport company 's Sarjant and Brenan merged, emerged in Paeroa a large truck center.

As passenger numbers declined, the railway traffic was stopped.

Gold Refinery of the National Bank

One of the oldest buildings in the city is the gold refinery built in 1914 the National Bank of New Zealand. The building is located in the city center in the Willoughby Street. The building is now a private residence and business house and hid behind a hedge of silver fern.

1911 was the National Bank, a joint venture with the New Zealand Mining Trust. The bank bought a 30 m wide and 38 m deep site at the former Arthur Street (now Willoughby Street) for 200 pounds.

A 24 mx 12 m large building made ​​of reinforced concrete with an iron roof and a 12 m high chimney was built in February 1914. Inside was the refinery itself, two analysis areas, the weighing chamber, accounting, engineering and generator room, two sleeping rooms for servants, a recreation room and a toilet. Besides the main building there was a storage room and a coal bunker.

Attractions

To Paeroa, you can walk in the bush, take on the river or in the city. A golf course and a maritime museum with a park, restored ships and other exhibits are displayed in the, there are, in addition, the city has about 20 antique and second-hand shops.

Paeroa has a spacious public investment on the main road, which is used for various sports.

Around the year horse races are held on the Paeroa Racecourse; Hunting, shooting and fishing are possible.

From Primrose Hill one has a good view of the surroundings.

The development of the trail Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway began when the railroad from Paeroa Waihi was discontinued after 1979. The road follows the railway line including a 1- km-long tunnel. He runs past several historically significant sites.

Through the gorge flows the Ohinemuri River. Here there are good beaches and areas for picnics. Trails lead into the Kaimai Mamaku - and Coromandel Forest Park.

In Paeroa many of the events on the Coromandel Peninsula will take place. In February, the Battle of the Streets motorcycle race and the music event attracts Pipe Band tattoo on numerous participants and visitors from New Zealand and overseas.

In addition to the public square in the city center, rugby, netball, athletics and croquet exercised, there are two rugby clubs, football, bowls, squash, tennis courts, an 18- hole golf course and swimming.

Paeroa is known for horse racing in New Zealand.

Trout fishing in the rivers Ohinemuri, comas and Maratoto is a popular pastime in Paeroa.