Editing Ruakura (section)

==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}}