Learn Ako
Fun learning experiences for school visits, classroom sessions, heritage walks and for families at home.
Cambridge Over the Decades
Cambridge Over the Decades will trace the growth of Cambridge throughout the 1900s as recorded in the Cambridge Edition in 1999.
We will be adding to these periodically as the site is updated.
Researched and written by Eris Parker 1999 Ref: Cambridge Museum Archives
Cambridge 1900 – 1909
Dairy Industry Around Cambridge the large estates of Fen Court, Karapiro and Whitehall had been taken over by the Government and cut up into smaller farms. Now instead of one landowner Fencourt district had 37…
MORECambridge in the 1910s
Influenza Epidemic Peace celebrations were to be held on 14 November 1918 but as the main body of men came home, an influenza epidemic swept the world. The celebrations, opening of the swimming baths and…
MORECambridge in the 1920s
The Children’s Playground in the Cambridge Domain was established in 1919 on the site of a former stop over pa used by the Maori on their way from Pirongia to Maungakawa. King Tawhaio called Lake…
MORECambridge 1930s – Depression & Recovery
The Plunket Society had been in Cambridge since 28 September 1917. The Independent reported – “A large number of ladies (and several babies) assembled in the Council Chamber”. They formed a sub branch of the…
MORECambridge in the 1940s
In February 1940 Cabinet approved the building of Karapiro Dam for a Hydro Power Station. Heavy machinery was introduced and by October foundation work had started. By November there were 230 men employed and living…
MORECambridge in the 1950s
The Golf Club arranged to buy 130 acres on SH1 from the Defence Department in 1950 for £2,475. Plans then got under way to turn the course around to fit in with a new clubhouse…
MORECambridge in the 1960s
The 1960s were all go. The babies who were born after World War Two were now having their own babies. The Maternity Home on the corner of Hall and Taylor Streets was opened and the…
MORECambridge in the 1970s
1970 saw the average weekly earnings rise to $45. Ten years before the average wage was $27.99c. Cambridge Borough Council introduced bi-monthly payments for rates. A farmlet of 9 acres with a three bedroom house…
MORECambridge in the 1980s
1980 saw Mark Todd win the Badminton Whitbread Trophy in the cross country horse jumping event in England. Throughout the 1980’s further wins included Olympic gold and Top Sportsman of the Year. By 1999 Todd…
MORECambridge in the 1990s
1990 marked 150 years since the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – The Treaty of Waitangi. The Cambridge Electric Power Board turned 70 years old at the beginning of 1990 and by the end…
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