Cambridge, New Zealand

Prior to the arrival of Europeans there were a number of Maori pā in the vicinity of what would become Cambridge.{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge.co.nz/discover-cambridge/culture-history/maoritanga|title=Maoritanga - Cambridge New Zealand|website=www.cambridge.co.nz|access-date=17 April 2018|archive-date=27 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527011704/http://www.cambridge.co.nz/discover-cambridge/culture-history/maoritanga|url-status=dead}} In the 1850s missionaries and farmers from Britain settled in the area and introduced modern farming practices to local Maori, helping them set up two flour mills and importing grinding wheels from England and France.Parker, Sally K. (1986). Cambridge An illustrated history 1886-1986, p. 6. Cambridge Borough Council, Cambridge New Zealand. {{ISBN|0473003341}}. During the 1850s, wheat was a profitable crop but when merchants in Auckland began purchasing cheaper grain from Australia the market went into decline.{{Citation needed|date=May 2013}}

The European town of Cambridge was established when the 3rd Regiment of the Waikato Militia were settled there in 1864 following the Invasion of the Waikato. The town was named after Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army at the time.{{cite web |url=http://cambridgemuseum.org.nz/Military/3rdwaikmil/3rd%20Waikato.htm |title=Military – Third Waikato Militia |first=Eris |last=Parker |publisher=Cambridge Museum |access-date=5 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628024551/http://cambridgemuseum.org.nz/Military/3rdwaikmil/3rd%20Waikato.htm |archive-date=28 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}

Electric street lights were first switched on in 1922.{{Cite web|date=3 Apr 1922|title=CAMBRIDGE'S PROGRESS. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19220403.2.25|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-04|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104071135/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19220403.2.25 |archive-date=4 January 2022 }}

Cambridge covers {{Convert|27.35|km2||abbr=on}}{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Urban Rural 2023 (generalised)|access-date=21 April 2025}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Cambridge|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|({{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Cambridge|y}}|R}})/27.35|0}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|13,899|2013|16,116|2018|18,681|2023|21,366|percentages=pagr|align=left|source={{NZ census 2018|Hautapu (182400), Cambridge North (182600), Cambridge West (182700), Cambridge East (182800), Cambridge Park-River Garden (182900), Oaklands-St Kilda (183000), Cambridge Central (183200), Leamington West (183500), Leamington South (183700), Leamington Central (183800) and Leamington East (183900)}}|footnote=The 2006 population is for a smaller area of 26.67 km².}}

File:Hamilton Puketaha & Cambridge War Memorials.jpg, Puketaha & Cambridge war memorials]]

Cambridge had a population of 21,366 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 2,685 people (14.4%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 5,250 people (32.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 10,137 males, 11,157 females, and 72 people of other genders in 8,187 dwellings.{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1186%2B182400%2B182600%2B182700%2B182800%2B182900%2B183000%2B183200%2B183500%2B183701%2B183800%2B183900.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}} 2.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 42.8 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 4,062 people (19.0%) aged under 15 years, 3,453 (16.2%) aged 15 to 29, 9,054 (42.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 4,797 (22.5%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 88.5% European (Pākehā); 10.9% Māori; 1.8% Pasifika; 7.3% Asian; 0.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.3%, Māori by 1.9%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 10.6%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 25.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 33.6% Christian, 1.1% Hindu, 0.4% Islam, 0.4% Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 1.9% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 54.5%, and 7.3% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 4,548 (26.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 8,898 (51.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 3,858 (22.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $43,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 2,604 people (15.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 8,475 (49.0%) full-time, 2,421 (14.0%) part-time, and 330 (1.9%) unemployed.{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1186.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Cambridge (1186)}}

{{table alignment}}

File:Cambridge clock tower.jpg

Cambridge is administered by the Waipā District Council. It is the largest town in the district, but not the seat of the council, which is at Te Awamutu.

Nationally, Cambridge is part of the {{NZ electorate link|Taupō}} general electorate and the {{NZ electorate link|Hauraki-Waikato}} Māori electorate.{{cite web |title= Find my electorate |url= http://www.elections.org.nz/voters/find-my-electorate |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date= 19 December 2015}}

Cambridge's main sources of employment and income come from dairy farming, tourism, the equine industry and sport. Dairy farming provides more than one in 10 jobs{{cite web |title= Dairy farming provides more than a tenth of all Waipa jobs |url= http://cambridge.co.nz/shopping-business/economy-industry/agriculture |publisher=Cambridge Information Centre |access-date= 15 February 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130206001153/http://cambridge.co.nz/shopping-business/economy-industry/agriculture |archive-date= 6 February 2013 |url-status= dead }} in the Waipā District. The tourism industry supports 12.7% of jobs in Waipā District.{{cite web |title= New statistics highlight tourism value to Waikato region. |url= http://www.hamiltonwaikato.com/industry/latest-news/new-statistics-highlight-tourism-value-to-waikato-region |publisher=Hamilton and Waikato Tourism |access-date= 15 February 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160212065622/http://www.hamiltonwaikato.com/industry/latest-news/new-statistics-highlight-tourism-value-to-waikato-region/ |archive-date= 12 February 2016 |url-status= dead }} The equine industry provides more than 600 jobs in the Waikato, with many based in and around Cambridge.{{cite web |title= Cambridge is "Equine Capital of New Zealand". |url= http://cambridge.co.nz/shopping-business/economy-industry/equine |publisher=Cambridge Information Centre |access-date= 15 February 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130206001246/http://cambridge.co.nz/shopping-business/economy-industry/equine |archive-date= 6 February 2013 |url-status= dead }} It is estimated that one in five Cambridge residents work in nearby Hamilton.{{cite web|url=http://cambridge.co.nz/discover-cambridge/about-cambridge/people-of-cambridge|title=The People of Cambridge.|publisher=Cambridge Information Centre|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221213432/https://www.cambridge.co.nz/about-cambridge/people-and-history/|archive-date=21 February 2018|access-date=15 February 2016}}

Cambridge lies adjacent to State Highway 1, which connects the town with Hamilton in the northwest and Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupō in the southeast. Access to Cambridge from the north is via the Cambridge Road and Victoria Road interchanges, and from the south is via the Tirau Road interchange. Prior to the Waikato Expressway extension opening in December 2015, SH 1 ran through the centre of Cambridge, though in 1985 it had been diverted from the main shopping street, to run via Carters Flat.{{Cite web |last=Banks |first=Amy |date=2017-05-16 |title=Cambridge in the 1980s |url=https://cambridgemuseum.org.nz/camrbidge-1980-to-1990/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Cambridge Museum |language=en-US}}

State Highway 1B leaves SH 1 at the Victoria Road interchange and provides a route north to SH 1 at Taupiri, providing a route north towards Auckland while bypassing Hamilton to the east.

Hamilton Airport, 18 minutes drive from Cambridge, is the nearest airport and provides daily flights to all New Zealand's main centres.{{cite web |url= http://cambridge.co.nz/discover-cambridge/about-cambridge/getting-around |title=Getting around |publisher=Cambridge Information Centre |access-date=1 February 2016}}

A public bus service connects Cambridge with central Hamilton via Tamahere and Waikato University several times daily.{{cite web |title= Busit!: Cambridge 20 |url= http://busit.co.nz/Regional-services/Cambridge/ |publisher=Waikato Regional Council |access-date= 31 May 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160602102035/http://www.busit.co.nz/Regional-services/Cambridge/ |archive-date= 2 June 2016 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}

Cambridge was formerly the terminus of the Cambridge Branch railway, but this closed beyond Hautapu in 1999.

Until the railway was built the Waikato River was the main form of transport, Cambridge being the limit of navigation. Steamers continued to serve Cambridge until the 1930s.{{Cite web|title=CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY. WAIKATO INDEPENDENT|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIKIN19360107.2.36|date=7 Jan 1936|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-12}} The wharf was near the Karapiro Stream,{{Cite web|title=P.S. Manuwai at Cambridge Wharf|url=https://heritage.hamiltonlibraries.co.nz/objects/8/ps-manuwai-at-cambridge-wharf|website=Hamilton Libraries Heritage Collection Online|language=en|access-date=2020-05-12}} where the river was wide enough for steamers to turn.{{Cite web|title=Heritage Walk Waikato River|url=https://cambridgemuseum.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Heritage-Walk-Waikato-River.pdf|website=Cambridge Museum}}

{{Weather box|width=auto

|metric first=y

|single line=y

|collapsed = Y

|location = Cambridge (1971–2000)

| Jan high C = 24.1

| Feb high C = 24.6

| Mar high C = 22.9

| Apr high C = 19.8

| May high C = 16.5

| Jun high C = 13.9

| Jul high C = 13.4

| Aug high C = 14.3

| Sep high C = 16.0

| Oct high C = 18.1

| Nov high C = 20.2

| Dec high C = 22.3

| year high C =

| Jan mean C = 18.4

| Feb mean C = 18.7

| Mar mean C = 17.2

| Apr mean C = 14.3

| May mean C = 11.5

| Jun mean C = 9.4

| Jul mean C = 8.6

| Aug mean C = 9.5

| Sep mean C = 11.2

| Oct mean C = 13.1

| Nov mean C = 14.9

| Dec mean C = 16.8

| year mean C =

| Jan low C = 12.6

| Feb low C = 12.9

| Mar low C = 11.6

| Apr low C = 8.8

| May low C = 6.5

| Jun low C = 4.9

| Jul low C = 3.8

| Aug low C = 4.8

| Sep low C = 6.4

| Oct low C = 8.1

| Nov low C = 9.7

| Dec low C = 11.4

| year low C =

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 88.1

|Feb rain mm = 79.0

|Mar rain mm = 95.8

|Apr rain mm = 80.9

|May rain mm = 87.8

|Jun rain mm = 115.9

|Jul rain mm = 115.3

|Aug rain mm = 94.6

|Sep rain mm = 90.2

|Oct rain mm = 101.2

|Nov rain mm = 86.4

|Dec rain mm = 114.2

|year rain mm =

|source = NIWA {{cite web

|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/

|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 2128)

|publisher = NIWA

|access-date = 20 Jul 2024}}

}}

{{Update section|date=February 2024}}

;National sports headquarters

Cambridge and nearby Lake Karapiro have become the homes for national sports organisations such as cycling (track, road, mountain biking and BMX), rowing, triathlon and as high performance centres for kayaking and canoeing.{{cite news |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11238723 |title=Canoe Racing High Performance Centre set for Karapiro|work=The New Zealand Herald |date=15 April 2014|access-date=1 February 2016}}

;Cycling

A purpose built velodrome facility, the Grassroots Trust Velodrome, was opened by William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, in Cambridge on 12 April 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.avantidrome.co.nz/homeofcycling/history|title=History of the Avantidrome|publisher=Home of Cycling Charitable Trust|access-date=1 February 2016|archive-date=3 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603173624/http://www.avantidrome.co.nz/homeofcycling/history|url-status=dead}} In December 2015, Cambridge hosted the 2015–16 UCI Track Cycling World Cup. There are also many cycle and walking tracks that have been purpose built around Cambridge. The {{Convert|60|km||abbr=on}} Te Awa River Ride,{{Cite web |url=http://te-awa.org.nz/the-route/ |title=Te Awa | the Route & Maps - te Awa |access-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309022548/http://te-awa.org.nz/the-route/ |archive-date=9 March 2016 |url-status=dead }} from Ngāruawāhia to Karapiro, is planned to be fully open by the end of 2021.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-24|title=Te Awa River Ride will connect Hamilton to Cambridge by end of 2021|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/123999825/te-awa-river-ride-will-connect-hamilton-to-cambridge-by-end-of-2021|access-date=2021-01-31|website=Stuff |language=en}} It currently has two paths open which are for cyclists and walkers. The purpose built track runs from the centre of Cambridge out to the velodrome and follows the Waikato river. There is also a wide cycleway running from Leamington to Lake Karapiro Domain. Cambridge will host the New Zealand National Road Race Championships and the accompanying time trial between the years of 2020 and 2022 with an option for a fourth year, the event will take place in mid February.{{cite web |url= https://elite-road-nationals.cyclingnewzealand.nz/ |title=Elite & U23 National Championships|publisher=Cycling New Zealand |access-date=26 December 2019}}

;Thoroughbred horse studs

The town is now well known for its Thoroughbred studs and stables, which have produced many champion horses in the sports of racing and show jumping. Cambridge is popularly known as the 'equine capital' of New Zealand.{{cite web |url= http://cambridge.co.nz/discover-cambridge/community/equine |title=About Cambridge|publisher=Cambridge Information Centre |access-date=1 February 2016}} Internationally known thoroughbred studs in the area include:

• Cambridge Stud
• Chequers Stud
• Blue Gum Lodge
• Trelawney Stud
• Windsor Park Stud

;Rowing

Lake Karapiro, recognised as one of the premium rowing lakes in the world, is close by, producing several world rowing champions, notably Rob Waddell, Robbie Manson, the Evers-Swindell twins, Georgina and Caroline, Mahé Drysdale and James Dallinger. The 2010 World Rowing Championships were held at Lake Karapiro.

;Rugby Union

Cambridge is home to two clubs, Hautapu Sports Club, founded in 1903, and Leamington Rugby Sports Club, founded in 1897.

;Football

Cambridge is home to Cambridge FC who were the 2017 and 2015 Waikato Bay of Plenty Premiership champions,{{cite web |url= http://cambridgesoccer.co.nz/news.php?id=edit59b383ce14b70 |title=Reds clinch the Loaded WaiBOP Premiership title|publisher=Cambridge Football Club |access-date=9 September 2017}} and Waipa Sports Club of the Year in 2014 and 2015.{{cite web |url= http://www.cambridgesoccer.co.nz/news.php?id=edit54ff98bdc5561 |title=History of Cambridge FC|publisher=Cambridge Football Club |access-date=1 February 2016}}

Cambridge and the surrounding district is host to many sporting, cultural and trade events. More than 120,000 visitors attend the National Agricultural Fieldays{{cite web |title= National Fieldays |url= http://cambridge.co.nz/events-functions/national-fieldays |publisher=Cambridge Information Centre |access-date= 1 February 2016}} every year at the Mystery Creek Events Centre between Cambridge and Hamilton.

Every summer, Lake Karapiro hosts the Waka Ama Sprint National Championships and the hydroplane racing as part of the New Zealand Grand Prix Circuit. In February, the Keyte Watson Polo Tournament takes place at Leamington, Cambridge. Every March, Cambridge holds its four-day Autumn Festival and in December, a Christmas Festival (including a town parade) takes place.{{cite web |title= Annual events |url= http://cambridge.co.nz/events-functions/annual-events |publisher=Cambridge Information Centre |access-date= 1 February 2016}}

Cambridge's local annual event is the Battle of the Bridges, a rugby and netball competition between the two sports clubs in Cambridge, Leamington and Hautapu, however the trophy is awarded to the winning team in the rugby match. The event takes place in August each year. The first ever match between

the two sides, in 2013, ended in a 0–0 draw.{{Cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/cambridge-edition/9065175/Teams-battle-out-a-scoreless-draw|title=Teams battle out a scoreless draw|date=20 August 2013|first=Jeremy|last=Smith|work=Cambridge Edition}}

Switch FM is a local radio station.

Cambridge also has two local newspapers, the Cambridge News{{cite web|url=https://www.cambridgenews.nz|title=Local News and Sports - Cambridge News|website=www.cambridgenews.nz|access-date=17 April 2018}} and the Cambridge Edition.{{cite web | url=http://communitynewspapers.co.nz/edition/cambridge-edition/ | title=Community Newspapers }}

There is also a lively Facebook page that is used to share and request information and resources.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/627554527263081/|title=The Cambridge NZ Grapevine - Info Sharing Group|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2018-09-20}}

{{main|List of schools in the Waikato region#Waipa District}}

Cambridge High School is the town's co-educational state secondary school for Year 9 to 13 students,{{cite web |title=Cambridge High School Official School Website |url=http://www.camhigh.school.nz |website=camhigh.school.nz}}{{cite web |title=Cambridge High School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=142 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|142|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|}}.{{cite web |title=Cambridge High School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=142 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office |access-date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=4 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304084446/https://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=142 |url-status=dead }} It opened in 1883 as Cambridge District High School.{{cite news |title=Cambridge |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18830703.2.9.1 |newspaper=Waikato Times |date=3 July 1883}} {{cite web|url=https://www.camhigh.school.nz/our-history/|title=Our History|publisher=Cambridge High School|access-date=21 April 2025}} Cambridge Middle School is the town's intermediate school for Year 7 to 10 students,{{cite web |title=Cambridge Middle School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1701 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1701|y}}.{{cite web |title=Cambridge Middle School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1701 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office |access-date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=4 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304084433/https://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1701 |url-status=dead }} It began in 1923 as a second site for Cambridge District High School.

The town has three state primary schools for Year 1 to 6 students: Cambridge East School,{{cite web |title=Welcome to Cambridge East School |url=https://www.cambridgeeast.school.nz/}}{{cite web |title=Cambridge East School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1700 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} established in 1955,{{cite web|url=https://www.cambridgeeast.school.nz/files/b073827f6fb61a41/folders/44/2019_Charter.pdf|title=Charter|year=2019|publisher=Cambridge East School|page=4}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1700|y}};{{cite web |title=Cambridge East School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1700 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office |access-date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=4 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304075924/https://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1700 |url-status=dead }} Cambridge Primary School,{{cite web |title=Cambridge School Official School Website |url=http://www.cambridgeprimary.co.nz |website=cambridgeprimary.co.nz}}{{cite web |title=Cambridge School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1702 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} established in 1866,{{cite web|url=https://www.cambridgeprimary.co.nz/files/3ec2f9c0b73730d3/folders/223/CPS_PROSP_August_2016.pdf|title=Prospectus|date=August 2016|publisher=Cambridge Primary School}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1702|y}};{{cite web |title=Cambridge School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id= |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office |access-date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524025621/https://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id= |url-status=dead }} Leamington School,{{cite web |title=Leamington School Official School Website |url=http://www.leamington.school.nz |website=leamington.school.nz}}{{cite web |title=Leamington School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1789 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} established in 1880,{{cite web|url=https://cambridgemuseum.org.nz/leamington-school/|title=Leamington School|publisher=Cambridge Museum|access-date=21 April 2025}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1789|y}}.{{cite web |title=Leamington School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1789 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office |access-date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=4 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304085938/https://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1789 |url-status=dead }}

Cambridge also has two non-state schools with similar names. St. Peter's School is a co-educational Anglican private (independent) school for Year 7 to 13 students,{{cite web |title=St Peter's School Official School Website |url=http://www.stpeters.school.nz |website=stpeters.school.nz}}{{cite web |title=St Peter's School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=141 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} established in 1936,{{cite web|url=https://www.stpeters.school.nz/our-history|title=Our History|publisher=St Peter's School|access-date=21 April 2025}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|141|y}}.{{cite web |title=St Peter's School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=141 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office |access-date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=4 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304081439/https://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=141 |url-status=dead }}

St Peter's Catholic School is a co-educational Roman Catholic integrated primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,{{cite web |title=St Peter's Catholic School Official School Website |url=http://www.stpeterscatholic.school.nz |website=stpeterscatholic.school.nz}}{{cite web |title=St Peter's Catholic School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1965 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1965|y}}.{{cite web |title=St Peter's Catholic School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1965 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office |access-date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=4 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304075925/https://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1965 |url-status=dead }}

Past or present residents include:

• Kylie Bax, Model and actress
• Hamish Bond, MNZM, Rower, Olympic gold medallist
• Kenny Cresswell, member of 1982 All Whites (football)
• Members of The Datsuns Rock Band
• Mahé Drysdale, MNZM, Rower, Olympic gold medallist
• Katie Duncan, international footballer and Olympian{{cite news|url=http://www.cambridgefootball.co.nz/2019/09/16/football-fern-makes-triumphant-return-to-where-it-all-began/|title=Football Fern makes triumphant return to where it all began|date=16 September 2019|publisher=Cambridge Football Club|access-date=16 September 2019|archive-date=20 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220142854/http://www.cambridgefootball.co.nz/2019/09/16/football-fern-makes-triumphant-return-to-where-it-all-began/|url-status=dead}}
• Matthew Dunham, World Champion silver medallist in rowing
• Angus Fogg, racing driver
• Allyson Gofton, cooking writer and television presenter{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/celebrity-homes/111621344/at-my-place-with-cook-allyson-gofton|title=Allyson Gofton's 'Drug Baron's Mansion'|date=2 May 2019|publisher=Stuff }}
• Juliette Haigh, World Champion gold medallist in rowing
• Nikki Hamblin, Middle distance runner and winner of Fair Play Award at 2016 Summer Olympics
• Ricki Herbert, CNZM, former coach of New Zealand All Whites and international footballer.
• Sir Patrick Hogan KNZM, CBE, Horse breeder
• Nikita Howarth, Paralympic swimmer and gold medallist
• Luke Jacobson, Professional Rugby Union player and All Black
• Mitch Jacobson, Professional Rugby Union player
• Billy T. James, MBE, Entertainer and comedian
• Spencer Jones, Professional Rugby Union player
• Sir Vaughan Jones, Fields Medal winner
• Joelle King, Squash player
• Regan King, Rugby Union player
• Dick Myers, All Black (played for Leamington RFC)
• Eric Murray, MNZM, rower, Olympic gold medallist
• Ritchie Pickett, country music singer/songwriter
• Ken Rutherford, MNZM, International cricketer and horse racing club manager
• Wayne Smith, CNZM, All Black and assistant coach of World Cup winning All Blacks in 2011 and 2015
• Joel Tobeck, Actor
• Sarah Walker, Olympic silver medallist in BMX
• Sir Mark Todd, equestrian double Olympic gold medallist
• Sarah Ulmer, World Champion and Olympic gold medallist cyclist
• Rob Waddell, Olympic gold medallist in rowing
• Chris Wood, international footballer and All Whites captain
• Cameron Roigard, Rugby Union Player

Cambridge was also the birthplace of All Black Sir Colin Meads KNZM MBE; George Albert Tuck (1884–1981), a notable New Zealand builder, soldier and diarist; artist Frances Irwin Hunt 1890–1981) and educationalist Blanche Eleanor Carnachan, MBE, (1871–1954).

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book | first=A. W. | last=Reed | title=The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names | publisher=Reed Books | location=Auckland | year=2002 | isbn=0-7900-0761-4}}

{{Wikivoyage|Cambridge (New Zealand)}}

{{Commons category|Cambridge, New Zealand}}

• [http://www.cambridge.co.nz Cambridge i-Site Information Centre]
• [http://www.cambridgemuseum.org.nz/ Cambridge Museum]
• [http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?BU=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aucklandcity.govt.nz%2Fdbtw-wpd%2FHeritageImages%2Findex.htm&AC=QBE_QUERY&TN=heritageimages&QF0=ID&NP=2&MR=5&RF=HIORecordSearch&QI0=%3D%22AWNS-19020904-11-3%22 1902 photo of water tower]

{{Authority control}}

{{Waipa District}}

Category:Populated places in Waikato

Category:Waipa District

Category:Populated places on the Waikato River