Hopuhopu Camp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hopuhopu Military Camp |
|
|---|---|
| Ngāruawāhia, New Zealand | |
 Hopuhopu Military Camp
|
|
| Coordinates | 37°38′13″S 175°10′11″E / 37.636994°S 175.169654°E |
| Type | Army Camp |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Waikato Tainui |
| Condition | Former Military Camp |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1924–1929 |
| In use | 1920–1989 |
Hopuhopu was an important army camp in New Zealand. It was used by the New Zealand Army from 1920 to 1989. This camp was located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of Ngāruawāhia. Today, it is no longer an army camp.
Contents
The Story of Hopuhopu
Early Days: A Mission School
Before it was an army camp, Hopuhopu had a different purpose. From 1853, it was the site of a boys' mission school. This school taught young boys in the area.
However, by 1862, most students had left the school. A year later, in 1863, the school buildings were falling apart. The main mission house even burned down in 1886.
Becoming a Railway Land
In the 1870s, a major railway line was being built. This was the North Island Main Trunk Line. It connected Auckland to Te Awamutu.
Because of this railway construction, the land at Hopuhopu changed hands. It became owned by the New Zealand Railways Department.
From Railway to Army Camp
In 1920, the Defence Department took over the Hopuhopu land. They traded some land near Frankton Junction for it. Hopuhopu was chosen to become a major army base. It would be the main training and gathering point for soldiers in the northern part of New Zealand.
For most of the 1920s, Hopuhopu was used as a tent camp. Soldiers from the Territorial Army trained there. The Territorial Army is made up of part-time soldiers.
Building the Modern Camp
While training continued, new buildings were being constructed. The first permanent buildings were ready in 1927. The entire camp was finished by August 1929.
At that time, Hopuhopu was the most modern army camp in all of New Zealand. It had the newest facilities for soldiers.
A Camp for War
Hopuhopu played a key role when World War II began. In 1939 and 1940, it became a busy place. Soldiers of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force gathered there. They prepared to go overseas and fight in the war.
Closing the Camp
Hopuhopu remained an active military camp for many years. It was used by the army until 1989. As part of a plan to close several army bases, Hopuhopu stopped being an active camp.
Returning to Waikato-Tainui
In 1993, the land was returned to Waikato-Tainui. This was a very important event. Waikato-Tainui is a major Māori iwi (tribe) in the region.
They transformed the former army camp. Today, it serves as their main headquarters. It is also home to the Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development.
Other Names for Hopuhopu
While "Hopuhopu" was the most common name, the camp was sometimes called other things. Up until the 1940s, people also used the name "Waikato Camp."
Because it was so close to Ngāruawāhia, it was also often called "Ngaruawahia Camp."
