Today, tranquility reigns in the lush pastureland and lazy streams of the Waikato and King Country, but living in these parts has not always been so easy. In the 1840s and 50s, the Maori tribes of the Waikato united to resist encroaching European settlement, proclaiming Potatau Te Wherowhero the first Maori king in 1858. The king’s signature white top hat was passed on to his son, King Tawhiao, who used it during the Waikato War (1863-64) to make a legendary gesture of defiance, casting it onto a map of North Island and proclaiming, “There, I rule!” As a result, his people called the region Rohe Potae, “the brim of the hat.” To the Europeans, however, it was simply “King Country,” in grudging deference to the Maori dominance that lasted until the 1880s. Modern times brought a different kind of power to the region; the Waikato River, the longest river in New Zealand, churns out 50% of North Island’s electricity.
 |
 |
 |
 |
For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
Facebook
Twitter
You Tube
Foursquare
Newsletter
RSS Feed
Overview