Ruakura

2025-07-03T08:59:50Z

2407:7000:AD0E:AE00:1108:3296:E7AC:D4C: /* Ruakura Junction railway station */

{{short description|Suburb of Hamilton, New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox New Zealand suburbs
| name = Ruakura
| image = Ruakura 1921.jpg
| caption1 = Ruakura State Farm in 1921 (homestead and stables in foreground)
| city1 = Hamilton, New Zealand
| ward = East Ward
| council = [[Hamilton City Council (New Zealand)|Hamilton City Council]]
| coordinates = {{coord|37|46|28.74|S|175|18|37.07|E|region:NZ|display=it}}
| map = {{infobox mapframe|zoom=13}}
| arearef = <ref name="Area"/>
| area = 902
| population = {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Ruakura|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Greenhill Park|y}}|R}}|0}}
| popdate = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y}}
| popref = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2||||y}}
| established = 1888
}}
{{Adjacent place
| centre = Ruakura
| northwest = [[Enderley]]
| west = [[Claudelands]]
| southwest = [[Hamilton East, New Zealand|Hamilton East]]
| south = [[Hillcrest, Hamilton|Hillcrest]]
| southeast = [[Silverdale, Hamilton|Silverdale]]
| east = [[Newstead, New Zealand|Newstead]]
| north = [[Fairview Downs]]
| northeast = [[Eureka, New Zealand|Eureka]]
}}
'''Ruakura''' is a semi-rural [[Suburbs of Hamilton, New Zealand|suburb]] of [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton City]], in the [[Waikato]] region of [[New Zealand]]. The [[University of Waikato]] is nearby.

The area lies to the east of urban Hamilton and to the west of [[State Highway]] 1B (a variant of [[New Zealand State Highway 1|State Highway 1]] which avoids the urban area).

==Ruakura Agriculture Research Centre==
Waikato Agricultural College and Model Farm was set up in 1888,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-council/council-publications/districtplans/ODP/Documents/Ruakura%20Submissions/Kellaway,%20Laura;%20Beaumont,%20Louise;%20and%20Adam,%20John%20P%20-%2049.PDF|title=SUBMISSION ON VARIATION 1 RUAKURA|date=December 2015|website=Hamilton City Council}}</ref> so that Ruakura is now synonymous with the Ruakura Agriculture Research Centre, the location of institutes such as [[AgResearch]] and [[Plant & Food Research]]. Areas of AgResearch's research at Ruakura include animal [[molecular biology]] ([[genomics]] and [[cloning]]), [[reproductive technologies]], agricultural systems modelling, land management, dairy science, [[meat science]], food processing technology and safety, and animal behaviour and welfare. Plant & Food Research's site in Hamilton is home to its [[blueberry]] nursery, its Bioengineering Group and its Food and Biological Chemistry laboratory. Work is also carried out on [[Biological pest control|biological control agents]] and plant nutrient solutions (''Ruakura solution'').<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Smith, G. S.|author2=Johnston, C. M.|author3=Cornforth, I. S. |date=1983|title=Comparison of nutrient solutions for growth of plants in sand culture|journal= The New Phytologist|volume=94|issue=4|pages=537–548|doi=10.1111/j.1469-8137.1983.tb04863.x|issn=1469-8137|doi-access=free}}</ref> The Waikato region is a major contributor to New Zealand's [[agriculture|agricultural]]-based economy, and Ruakura has an important role in that industry.

The Ruakura Agriculture Research Centre is on land owned by the [[Waikato (iwi)|Waikato]] Tainui, to whom it was returned by the Crown as part of their [[Waikato Raupatu Claims Settlement Act 1995|1995 Waikato Raupatu Land Settlement]].{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

The Waikato Regional Council included a majority of the land at Ruakura in the proposed Regional Policy Statement (PWRPS) as a future employment area. The Hamilton City Council Proposed District Plan gave effect to the PWRPS incorporating the Ruakura structure plan. The long-term plan for Ruakura is that it will be New Zealand's largest integrated commercial and lifestyle development anchored by a freight and logistics hub.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

== Demographics ==
Ruakura covers {{Convert|9.02|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 3 2023 (generalised)|access-date=11 April 2025}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Ruakura|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Greenhill Park|y}}|R}}|0}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|({{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Ruakura|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Greenhill Park|y}}|R}})/9.02|0}} people per km2.

{{Historical populations|2006|831|2013|900|2018|1,158|2023|2,784|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Ruakura (179200)|ruakura|Ruakura}}</ref>}}
Ruakura had a population of 2,784 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 1,626 people (140.4%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 1,884 people (209.3%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 1,362 males, 1,407 females and 15 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 732 dwellings.<ref>{{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%2Bdo1.52820%2B179201%2B179202.2023&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}}</ref> 6.1% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 27.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 435 people (15.6%) aged under 15 years, 1,080 (38.8%) aged 15 to 29, 1,101 (39.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 168 (6.0%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 48.1% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 13.5% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 3.9% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 42.7% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 3.0% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 92.0%, Māori language by 3.4%, Samoan by 0.9%, and other languages by 33.1%. No language could be spoken by 2.7% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 45.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Religious affiliations were 26.7% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 9.3% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 3.6% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 0.9% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 2.5% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.2% [[New Age]], and 5.6% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 46.0%, and 5.3% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 822 (35.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,104 (47.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 420 (17.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $38,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 240 people (10.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,164 (49.6%) people were employed full-time, 309 (13.2%) were part-time, and 102 (4.3%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{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.52820.2013%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=Ruakura (52820)}}</ref>

In the 2018 census a new Ruakura area was created, covering the [[University of Waikato|University]] and a rural area on the city fringe. It is {{Convert|9.02|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787|title=ArcGIS Web Application|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com|access-date=2020-04-10}}</ref> Up to 2013 Ruakura was part of the {{Convert|8.22|km2||abbr=on}} Newstead area, which covered a similar area, but excluded the university.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/StatsMaps/Home/People%20and%20households/2013-census-quickstats-about-a-place-map.aspx|title=2013 Census map – QuickStats about a place|website=archive.stats.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-10|archive-date=3 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403173441/http://archive.stats.govt.nz/StatsMaps/Home/People%20and%20households/2013-census-quickstats-about-a-place-map.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> As shown below, the change resulted in a much larger, younger and poorer population in 2018 than previously and younger than the 37.4 years of the national average. 61.1% were European, 27.2% Asian and 13.7% Māori.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-place-summaries/ruakura|title=2018 Census place summaries|website=www.stats.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-10}}</ref> Only 3 people lived in [[meshblock]] 0955300, at the Research Centre, in 2013.<ref name=":1" />
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |Population
!
!
! colspan="2" |Median income
|-
!Year
!Ruakura
!Newstead
!Median age
!Households
!Local
!NZ
|-
|2001
|
|159
|30.5
|51
|$24,200
|$18,500
|-
|2006
|831
|174
|41.5
|57
|$32,500
|$24,100
|-
|2013
|900
|216
|36.2
|81
|$33,800
|$27,900
|-
|2018
|1,158
|
|20.6
|189
|$10,400
|$31,800
|-
|2023
|2,784
|
|27.5
|732
|$38,200
|$41,500
|}
{{table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable defaultright col1left"
|+Individual statistical areas
|-
!Name !! Area (km2) !! Population !! Density (per km2) || Dwellings !! Median age !! Median income
|-
| Greenhill Park || 2.04 || 1,698 || 832 || 591 || 32.1 years || $57,500<ref>{{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.179201.2013%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=Greenhill Park}}</ref>
|-
| Ruakura || 6.98 || 1,086 || 156 || 141 || 20.3 years || $13,200<ref>{{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.179202.2013%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=Ruakura}}</ref>
|-
! New Zealand !! !! !! !! !! style="text-align:right;"|38.1 years !! style="text-align:right;"| $41,500
|}

== Education ==
Tai Wananga is a co-educational state secondary school located in Ruakura.<ref name="official632">{{cite web |title=Official School Website |url=https://www.ruakura.taiwananga.co.nz |website=ruakura.taiwananga.co.nz}}</ref><ref name="moe632">{{cite web |title=Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=632 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> It had a roll of {{NZ school roll data|632|y}}.<ref name="ero632">{{cite web |title=Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=632 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref>

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Toku Mapihi Maurea is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8) with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1589|y}}.<ref>{{TKI|1589|Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Toku Mapihi Maurea}}</ref> The school teaches primarily in the [[Māori language]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ero.govt.nz/review-reports/te-kura-kaupapa-maori-o-toku-mapihi-maurea-27-01-2015/|title=Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Toku Mapihi Maurea – 27/01/2015|publisher=Education Review Office|date=27 January 2015}}</ref>

Both schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}

== Ruakura Junction railway station ==
[[File:RuakuraRailway.jpg|thumb|Railway at Ruakura]]
Ruakura had a railway station from 1 October 1884 to 1 January 1967<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.railheritage.org.nz/assets/dates_and_names.pdf|title=Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand 1863 to 2010|last=Scoble|first=Juliet|publisher=Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand|access-date=9 April 2020|archive-date=24 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724032358/http://www.railheritage.org.nz/assets/dates_and_names.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> at the junction of the [[East Coast Main Trunk]] and the [[Cambridge Branch]]. The branch had its first public train on 8 October 1884.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18841003.2.31.1|title=Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 AUCKLAND STAR|date=3 Oct 1884|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-09}}</ref> Ruakura was {{Convert|8.17|km||abbr=on}} west of Eureka and {{Convert|3.94|km||abbr=on}} east of Claudelands.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Yonge|first1=John Roger|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OsnRPgAACAAJ|title=New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas|date=1993|publisher=Quail Map Company|isbn=9780900609923|language=en}}</ref> it was {{Convert|2.57|km||abbr=on}} north of Mongaonui (or Mongonui), later renamed [[Cambridge Branch#Newstead (2.57 km)|Newstead]].<ref name=":0" /> When the line opened, Ruakura station was described as an island in a swamp, with no road connection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18841009.2.9.1|title=The Opening. WAIKATO TIMES|date=9 Oct 1884|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-09}}</ref> In 2020 reopening as a "passenger rail Metro Station" was put forward as part of a $150m scheme to relay tracks to Cambridge and help the area recover from the [[Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand|economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-city/covid-19/recovery-package/Documents/URBAN%20GROWTH%20PROGRAMME%20INITIATIVES%20Hamilton%20to%20Auckland%20Corridor%20and%20Hamilton-Waikato%20Metro%20Spatial%20Plan%20April%202020.PDF|title=URBAN GROWTH PROGRAMME INITIATIVES|date=3 April 2020|website=Hamilton City Council|access-date=19 April 2020|archive-date=29 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429061005/https://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-city/covid-19/recovery-package/Documents/URBAN%20GROWTH%20PROGRAMME%20INITIATIVES%20Hamilton%20to%20Auckland%20Corridor%20and%20Hamilton-Waikato%20Metro%20Spatial%20Plan%20April%202020.PDF|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{s-start|noclear=yes}}
{{s-note|text=Former adjoining stations}}
{{Rail line|previous=[[Claudelands#Claudelands railway station|Claudelands]] Line open, station closed 3.94 km (2.45 mi)|next=[[Eureka, New Zealand#Railway station|Eureka]] Line open, station closed|route=[[East Coast Main Trunk]] [[New Zealand Railways Department]]|col={{BR(E) colour}} }}
{{rail line|previous=Terminus|next=[[Cambridge Branch#Newstead (2.57 km)|Newstead]] Line open, station closed|route=[[Cambridge Branch]]||col=012385}}
{{s-end}}

== Employment area ==
In 2016, approval was given to create an employment area, with an [[Dry port|inland port]], served by the railway and the [[Waikato Expressway|Hamilton Bypass]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ruakura.co.nz/our-story/history/|title=History|website=Ruakura|language=en|access-date=2020-04-10}}</ref> The development will cover {{Convert|485|ha||abbr=on}}, including a {{Convert|31|ha||abbr=on}} inland port to the west of the Research Centre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/94408877/pictures-reveal-true-size-of-ruakura-inland-port|title=Pictures reveal true size of Ruakura Inland Port|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en|access-date=2020-04-10}}</ref> Opening was planned in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ruakura.co.nz/media/releases/|title=Media Hub|website=Ruakura|language=en|access-date=2020-04-10}}</ref> In 2021, further developments for Ruakura have been planned to expand it as a residential and logistics suburb,<ref name="ruakura2021_stuff">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/upgrade-will-provide-critical-link-to-hamilton-section-of-waikato-expressway/CNILCGMPWUXHCNOZ5ETRQFNNI4/|title=Major road closures coming to Hamilton's Ruakura Rd|website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=28 July 2021 }}</ref> in addition to integrating Ruakura Road into the Waikato Expressway and improving business between regions outside of Waikato.<ref name="hamgovt_ruakuraupgrade">{{Cite web|url=https://hamilton.govt.nz/strategies-plans-and-projects/projects/ruakura/ruakura-road-upgrade/|title=Ruakura Road upgrade|website=Hamilton City Council}}</ref><ref name="hamgovt_ruakuramain">{{Cite web|url=https://hamilton.govt.nz/strategies-plans-and-projects/projects/ruakura/|title=Ruakura|website=Hamilton City Council}}</ref><ref name="ruakura2021_stuff" /> Businesses in the area include a Kmart Distribution Centre and cold storage depots.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=3 August 2023 |title=First goods trains welcomed as Ruakura Inland Port set to transform freight moves across Upper North Island |url=https://www.ruakura.co.nz/news-and-insights/first-goods-trains-welcomed-as-ruakura-inland-port-set-to-transform-freight-moves-across-upper-north-island/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.ruakura.co.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

In July 2022, the New Zealand division of Kmart announced plans to shift their Auckland distribution centre to Hamilton,<ref name="kmartmassiveswitch-auckham">{{cite web | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/300642535/kmarts-massive-switch-from-auckland-to-hamilton | title=Stuff }}</ref> with permission of the Waikato-Tainui iwi.<ref name="kmartmassiveswitch-auckham" /> It has since opened in September 2023,<ref name="kmartsuperhubnz-rnz">{{cite web | url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/497445/kmart-opens-first-distribution-centre-at-ruakura-superhub | title=Kmart opens first distribution centre at Ruakura Superhub | website=[[Radio New Zealand]] | date=7 September 2023 }}</ref><ref name="stuffnz-kmartswitchopen" /><ref name="tainui-kmarthamiltonopen" /> becoming the new North Island distribution centre for Kmart.<ref name="stuffnz-kmartswitchopen">{{cite web | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/132875079/kmart-opens-giant-distribution-centre-in-hamilton | title=Stuff }}</ref><ref name="tainui-kmarthamiltonopen">{{cite web | url=https://www.tgh.co.nz/news-and-resources/kmart-blessed-open-and-operational/ | title=Kmart blessed, open and operational }}</ref>

=== Inland port ===
The {{Convert|9|ha||abbr=on}}, $60m, Ruakura Inland Port, [[joint venture]] of [[Tainui Group Holdings]] and [[Port of Tauranga]], had its first trains from Tauranga and Auckland on 3 August 2023. It has two {{Convert|800|m||abbr=on}} sidings (about 90 containers per train), served by 2 trains a week.<ref name=":2" />

=== Residential areas ===
The 2016 Structure Plan included residential development to the north and south of the employment areas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-council/council-publications/districtplans/ODP/Documents/Ruakura%20Decisions%20-%20Strikethroughs/Appendix%202%20Structure%20Plans.pdf|title=Figure 2-14: Ruakura Structure Plan – Land Use|date=21 Oct 2016|website=Hamilton City Council}}</ref>

==== Greenhill Park ====
Greenhill Park is a medium density suburb at the north west of the development, begun in 2016,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-council/council-publications/districtplans/ODP/Documents/Ruakura%20Variation%20Evidence/Chedworth%20Properties%20Ltd%20-%20Evidence%20of%20Tony%20McLauchlan.pdf|title=Hearing to consider Variation 1 – Ruakura to the Hamilton City Council Proposed District Plan|date=15 July 2016|website=Hamilton City Council}}</ref> It adjoins [[Fairview Downs]]. A 110kV transmission line was undergrounded in 2020 to make way for more housing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/96297328/developer-spends-15m-to-put-high-voltage-lines-underground|title=Developer spends $15m to put high voltage lines underground|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en|access-date=2020-04-15}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of streets in Hamilton, Waikato#Ruakura|List of streets in Hamilton]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.ruakura.co.nz Ruakura] website
*[http://www.agresearch.co.nz AgResearch] website
*[http://www.agresearch.co.nz/about-us/where-we-are/Pages/default.aspx Information on AgResearch's] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120001705/http://agresearch.co.nz/about-us/where-we-are/Pages/default.aspx |date=20 January 2011 }} campuses – ''AgResearch'' is a [[State sector organisations in New Zealand#Crown Research Institutes (CRIs)|Crown Research Institute]] owned by the New Zealand Government.
*[http://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-council/council-publications/districtplans/proposeddistrictplan/appendix2/Pages/Ruakura%20Structure%20Plan.aspx Street map of Ruakura] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727073150/http://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-council/council-publications/districtplans/proposeddistrictplan/appendix2/Pages/Ruakura%20Structure%20Plan.aspx |date=27 July 2016 }} from the Hamilton City Council site

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