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Cambridge Town

Learn about the history of town and its districts, schools and roads over the years.

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Roads – L, M, N, O, P

L

Lake Street Lake Te Kō Utu is near Lake Street.

Lang Road The Langs bought their farm here in c1930 and Russell and Margaret moved here in the 1950s.  In 1957 the road was extended to Scotsmans Valley and subsequently named Lang Road. Before that, the road was known as Lawrence Access Road as Mr Lawrence had a run-off property here.

Laurent Road Wilfred and Elsie Laurent came to Cambridge in 1929 and bought 100 acres from James Taylor.  Wilfred was the first president of the Bardowie Golf Club and a keen bowler.  The couple retired in 1946 and son Vern, with wife Nellie, took over the farm.

Lee Martin Road Lee Martin lived on this road between Bruntwood and Matangi.  As chairman of the Road Board, he was instrumental in having the first tar sealing done on the road to the dairy factory.  He later became a Labour MP.

Luck at Last Road One story goes that in 1907 two locals, who in sheer desperation to get this road established, went to Wellington with their case.  They eventually sent back a telegram that read: ‘Luck at Last’. But this is the story as told by Will Hicks – ‘Mr G S Day, Mr E Nickle and my father Mr J T Hicks were early settlers along what is now Luck at Last Road. All the timber for the houses etc, was carted across country, creeks etc having to be forded. At the opening of the High-Level Bridge between Leamington and Cambridge, by the then Prime Minister (sic), Mr Day and my father were able to meet him and put their case, which he said was a very deserving one. Shortly afterwards work began on the road and after waiting for five years these settlers had a road. Next, the Matamata County asked for a suggestion for a name. My Mother put forward the name Luck at Last and it was accepted.’

Lynds Road Samuel Lynds was born in 1859 in Onehunga.  Martha Burton went to Kaipaki in 1918. The couple married and had nine children, Oscar being the son who took over the farm.  He married Edith Wayman of Cambridge.

The community around Lynds Road supported a blacksmith, sawmill, dairy factory and a Post Office not far from the school.  The district’s Drainage Board came into existence in 1910 which helped the swampy farms considerably.  Ossie Lynds (the next generation) was a member of the Drainage Board.  George Lynds carted many loads of metal for the construction of the roads.  The Lynds family left Kaipaki in 1962.

 


M

Mackenzie Place Rev Colin Mackenzie served as Moderator of the Presbytery of Waikato and was a member of several committees.  He was Chaplain to the 4th Medium Regiment RNZA Waikato from 1952-1957.  He retired to Tauranga in 1966.

Maclean Street Thomas Every Maclean was part owner of Carbine, the first New Zealand horse to win the Melbourne Cup.  He was a successful farmer and a founder of the Farmers’ Club. Maclean and his brother were renowned breeders of pedigree Clydesdale horses, cattle and sheep.

Mahi Tahi Road A spokesperson for the Ngāti Koroki Kahukura Trust, Beth Tauroa, said ‘mahi tahi’ means ‘to work together’ and it represents “the approach taken by Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Hauā and Ryman to build a good foundation for an enduring and meaningful relationship that supports good outcomes in the community.” Mahi Tahi Road is in the Patrick Hogan Village.

Makgill Road David and John Edward Makgill, in partnership with George Middleton, bought the Horahora Estate in 1907 and farmed the area.  Eventually individual farms were sold off as more settlers arrived. This road was formed in 1934 and is the only reminder left in the Oreipunga district of the men behind its early development.

Mamaku Lane Mamaku is a large black tree fern.

Manaia Road A manaia is a mythical creature and a significant symbol in Māori culture which is often seen in Māori art and carvings.  Commonly it has a human head, bird-like body and sometimes the tail of a fish or reptile.  Its design can vary but the manaia generally combines elements of different animals to represent spiritual power, protection and balance.

Mangahia Lane Mangahia stream flows nearby.

Mansfield Street Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923) was a New Zealand writer of short stories, poet, critic and diarist.  She wrote At the Bay, The Garden Party and The doll’s house.

Marlowe Street Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) was an English playwright and poet.  He wrote Doctor Faustus, Tamburlaine the Great and The Massacre at Paris.

Marychurch Road Henry Marychurch farmed 178 acres at Matangi from 1908 until his death in 1939. He was an active member of the Matangi Community. This road was originally known as Tainui Road because of the pā at the Matangi end. With thanks to Arthur Marychurch

Mathieson Road Mr and Mrs Horace Mathieson arrived here in 1907.  In 32 years they had transformed their 600 acres of bush and scrub into a highly productive farm.  The only form of transport was a pack horse led over a bridle track, and the only way to get anything done was with the aid of a sharp axe, strong arms and a stout heart. The Buckland Road Hall which was at the end of Mathieson Road has since been moved and serves as a woolshed.

McEldowney Road The McEldowneys bought a 250-acre farm from Mr Retter at Kaipaki in 1920.

McKinnon Street Donald McKinnon joined the 3rd Waikato Militia in Tasmania in 1863.  Donald and his wife Catherine had three sons: John, Donald and Alex. The family lived in Shakespeare Street, farming land nearby.  This land was used to produce fresh food for the Armed Constabulary.  Catherine was known for her ready supply of scones, butter and cream when visitors came to call.

McLarnon Road Thomas and Robert McLarnon were brothers who moved here from Papatoetoe in 1914.  They were among the original settlers on the Monavale Estate.  They spent many years transforming the swamp into fertile land.  Robert married Annie Gillard and they had three children. Thomas married Catherine Bainbridge and they had three children.  In 1919, Thomas was president of the Monavale Settlers’ Association, and opened his home for local garden parties and tennis matches.

Milicich Place Vladimir (Wally) Milicich came to Cambridge in 1921 and established Leamington Concrete Products Ltd.  He was Chairman of the Leamington Town Board at the time of its amalgamation with the Cambridge Borough in 1958.  He served as Mayor of Cambridge from1962 until1965.

Mill Road Originally there was a windmill on this road. Patrick Leslie came to New Zealand from Australia and stayed for ten years.  Leslie owned a 1000-acre property at Bruntwood (c1871) called the Wartle Estate.  He employed three gardeners for his large house and garden.

Mills Road Named after the Mills family who came to the Kaipaki district c1910.  Two sons, Walter and Gordon, now (2025) live in Hamilton.

Milton Street John Milton (1608-1674) was an English poet and intellectual.  Milton wrote Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained.

Moore Street Thomas Moore (1779-1852) was an Irish writer, poet, satirist and composer. He wrote A Selection of Irish Melodies, Lalla Rookh, Letters & Journals of Lord Byron and The Memoirs of Captain Rock.  (Not to be confused with Sir Thomas More who served King Henry VIII).

Morriss Place Jack Morriss was for many years a member of the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade.  He  died in a house fire in 1965 while serving as Chief Fire Officer in charge of operations.

Muirhead Road Peter Muirhead arrived from the South Island in 1908 and bought 2,600 acres of land at Whitehall.  A thousand acres had been cleared but the rest was in bush.  Peter left in 1917 to serve in World War One.  His brother Colin, wife Jessie and son Bob, then came to manage the farm.  In c1920 they bought 418 acres and their sister Margaret joined Peter at Tawanui.  Colin died in 1931.  The Muirhead families have been in the Te Miro district for four generations (2025). The original 2,600 acres were subdivided into four farms owned by Don Mackie, Brian Oliver, Roy Calvert and Peter Allen.  The road was eventually opened up after World War Two.

 

 


N

Narrows Road The Tamahere bridge was built in 1879 with a £300 subsidy.  The balance was raised by voluntary subscription from settlers.  The road was formed along the boundary of the Martyn and Graham properties and was an essential access to the Ohaupo sales yards, the largest in the Waikato at that time.

Ngā Hau Road Ngā Hau means breezy or windy in te reo Māori.  In this instance, it signifies that the street is close to Hautapu.

Ngaio Crescent Ngaio is a native tree in New Zealand.  The leaves of this tree repel sand flies and mosquitoes.  This area was developed as a state housing project.  The name is puzzling as apparently no Ngaio existed nearby.

Ngaki Drive Ngaki means to till the soil in te reo Māori.

Nickle Road This was originally All Saints Road because 170 acres were owned by the Seventh Day Adventists, who built a three-storied boarding school there in 1907.  As well as traditional school subjects, children were taught self-sufficiency, including agriculture, horticulture and beekeeping.  The Head Teacher was Mr F L Chaney.  Mrs Bertha Chaney taught languages and physiology.  The school closed in 1911, transferring to a more central location at Palmerston North.William Nickle bought this Pukekura property in 1911.  The school was destroyed by fire just before he moved in. William’s parents, Robert and Mary Ann Nickle, had arrived in New Zealand in 1878 to take over the 80-acre farm of Isaac Morrow, Mary Ann’s deceased brother.  Robert died in 1884, and his wife and seven children carried on the farm, adding more acres as they came available.  For many years, the sons of Robert and Mary Ann owned a large portion of Pukekura and Roto-o-Rangi.  The Nickle family still (2025) has connections in the district.

Noel Street Noel Street is named after one of two possible contenders: Roden Berkeley Wriothesley Noel (1834-1894) was an English poet. He wrote Livingstone in Africa and Behind the Veil and Other Poems. Thomas Noel (1799-1861) was an English poet. He wrote The Cottage Muse, Village Verse, Rymes and Roundelayes and the lyrics of the song Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep.

Norrish Road The road is named after the brothers Richard and Francis Norrish, who bought a 200-acre farm at Kaipaki in 1875.  When they needed accommodation for their worker, they cut timber from trees on the property and built him a house.  The brothers were sponsored to New Zealand by George Clark of Cambridge.

Norwegian Road This was known as Hannon Road until 1958.  It had been referred to as the Norwegian Mill Road by the Pukekura Road Board in 1895.  In 1869 two Norwegians lived nearby who were employed at the Roto-o-Rangi estate.  They also worked a flax mill at the entrance to the quarry. From the Norwegian Road corner, access to the farms near the Auketi (Confiscation) Line was by a dray road, parts of which were still visible in 2025.

 

 


O

Oliver Road William and Violet Oliver bought 1,212 acres from Peter Muirhead at Whitehall.  When William died in 1914, the farm was managed until son Brian took over in 1936.  At one stage 600 acres of bush was felled by Dave and Esau Pretty.  Plants under three feet in diameter were left and later burnt off.

Oliver Street Richard Oliver was an MP who held the portfolio of Public Works (1879-1881).

One-Haruru Street One-haruru means sandy loam soil in te reo Māori.

Oneone Street Oneone means soil in te reo Māori.

 

 


P

Papatakohe Park Papatakohe means a place of leisure in te reo Māori. Papatakohe Park is a new sub-division west of Cambridge containing 212 residential lots.   Building work began here in 2025.

Parakiwai Road Parakiwai means silt in te reo Māori.  Silt is one of the predominant soils on this site.

Peake Road Part of this road at Hautapu was known as Broadmeadows Road.  William Eastwood formed this road from Station Road to the new creamery for 4s 3d per chain.  Noel and Mary Peake bought 17 acres off Hamilton Road in the 1920s.  Previously they had lived at Roto-o-Rangi raising three children.  Noel was a member of the Mangapiko Drainage Board in 1914.  He served as chairman on the Hautapu School Board.  The family enjoyed polo.

Pencarrow Road John and William Martyn from Cornwall named their 2,000 acres at Tamahere Pencarrow. In 1866 they developed Pencarrow into a first-class farm with two homesteads, orchards, gardens and trees.  The farm was grassed and stocked with sheep, cattle and horses. Merrylegs was their trotting stallion and Black Champion their draught stallion – both renowned for improving breeds in the district. Cornelius Day bought the Pencarrow Estate.  This road was named when Pencarrow was subdivided in 1914.

Pengover Avenue Cambridge Park was built on the site of a farm called Pengover owned by William Tucker who had settled in Cambridge around 1872.  William joined the Armed Constabulary and he and his wife Mary Ann raised a family of seven.  William was a member of the Waikato Farmers’ Club and served on the Cambridge West (now Leamington) school committee.

Peppercorn Place James and Sarah Peppercorn, with their six children, arrived in New Zealand in January 1887.  By February they were living in Cambridge.  They worked for James Forrest on Hamilton Road, and the children attended Hautapu School.  James then leased Clements Park (now Kelly Road) before moving to Waiora on Lamb Street, Cambridge West (Leamington) in 1905.  James died in 1912 and his son Albert continued with the farm, excelling at Jersey breeding.  Albert was chairman and a long-term member of the Leamington Town Board and the Domain Board.  As Leamington School Chairman he planted 100 trees around the grounds.

Pepys Place Samuel Pepys (1633–1703), was an English diarist.  His diary gives an eyewitness account of famous events during his lifetime, including the Great Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Pickering Road Martin Herbert Pickering bought the 200-acre property Fernando (a corruption of Fern End) from Mr Snowden for £10 an acre in 1881. Pickering had come from Yorkshire in 1879 having gained his education and farming experience in that county.  He married Catherine Barugh in 1883 –the first marriage to be celebrated at St Stephen’s Church, Tamahere. The couple had one son and five daughters.  Descendants still farm at Tamahere [2025]. In the 1900s Martin Pickering had a stud flock of Lincoln sheep. He was a member of the Cambridge Road Board and Tamahere School Committee; Director of the Dairy Co-op (1912); a member of the Waikato Hunt; and a supporter of the Waikato Agricultural Association. William Eastwood won the tender to form Pickering Road from the main road to Newcombe’s gate for 3s 8d per chain.

Plescher Way Vincent and Rosalie Plescher arrived in Cambridge in 1866, two years after the town was founded.  Vincent set up his boot making business on the corner of Victoria Street (now Hally’s Lane).  Of their eight children, seven did not marry and remained in the Leamington family home.  Son John, a grocer, married Lillian O’Keefe and they lived on the corner of Shakespeare and Wordsworth Street, Leamington. Another son, Vince, worked for many years in the Cambridge Borough gardens. Daughter Doris was involved in netball as a player, coach and administrator for over 60 years.  She played the organ at St Peter’s Church and worked for 39 years at the Cambridge Dairy Factory, Hautapu.

Pope Terrace Alexander Pope (1688–1744) was an English poet and satirist. He wrote An Essay on Man, An Essay on Criticism and The Dunciad.

Princes Street In early Council records this street is recorded as Princess Street, perhaps in error. Mr Sydney Prince was a builder, and his descendants say he was the first man to build a home in Princes Street.

Pukatea Way Pukatea Way, located in the Patrick Hogan Retirement Village, draws its name from an evergreen tree which is common in the area surrounding the village, and found within gully areas throughout Cambridge.

Pukekura Pukekura means red hills in te reo Māori.

Pukerimu Lane Pukerimu Lane had been surveyed as a road but never used.  It was incorporated into the Scotts’ property and reverted when the sewerage ponds were constructed beside the river.

Puriri Lane This road in the Patrick Hogan Retirement Village is named after the Puriri tree.

 

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