Pirongia

Pirongia is a small town in the Waipa District of the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It is 12 kilometres to the west of Te Awamutu, on the banks of the Waipa River, close to the foot of the 962 metre Mount Pirongia, which lies in a forest park to the west of the town. Pirongia was originally named Alexandra but to avoid confusion with the town of that name in the South Island the name was changed to Pirongia. Some of the village's businesses and organisations such as the Alexandra Hotel and the Alexandra Racing Club echo the earlier name. Alexandra Racing Club, established in 1866, is reputed to be the second oldest racing club in New Zealand. The village has experienced rapid population growth since the 1980s as...