live. work. play.
Love Cambridge – 2026/27 Edition
Step into the stories that make Cambridge such a special place to live, visit, and belong. From inspiring locals and thriving businesses to hidden gems, community moments, and everyday experiences, these stories capture the spirit of our town and the people shaping it. Explore, connect, and discover what continues to make Cambridge uniquely memorable.
A word from the Chamber
Cambridge is a town where community spirit, connection, and local pride continue to shape its growth. While known as the Home of Champions, it is the people, businesses, and everyday experiences that truly define the town. Through Love Cambridge, cambridge.co.nz, and the work of the Cambridge Business Chamber, the stories and places that make Cambridge special continue to be celebrated.
Mayor Mike Pettit - What I love about Cambridge
For many families, Cambridge is more than a place to live, it is a community built on connection, care, and continuity across generations. Through schools, sport, volunteering, and everyday acts of kindness, the town’s strong sense of belonging continues to shape the lives of those who call it home. Even as Cambridge grows, its heart remains in the people who support one another and take pride in their community.
A life shaped by land, water and community spaces
Liz Stolwyk’s work across farming, community facilities, and local government has been shaped by a strong connection to people, land, and place. From managing Lake Karāpiro to serving on both Waipā District and Waikato Regional councils, she has focused on balancing growth, environmental care, transport, and community wellbeing. At the heart of it all is a practical, people-focused approach grounded in rural life and community connection.
The heart of Homebrew
What began as a bold idea and a leap of faith has grown into one of Cambridge’s most recognisable café brands. Built by Blair and Tayler Paterson with a focus on genuine connection, approachable coffee, and strong community values, Homebrew has expanded from a single café into a growing business known as much for its people and culture as its coffee.
Roots before foundations
Ngāti Koroki Kahukura kaumātua Harry Wilson plays an important role in connecting Cambridge’s growth with the history and stories of the land beneath it. Through karakia and cultural guidance, he helps ensure new developments acknowledge the people, places, and events that shaped the area long before modern Cambridge existed. His work reflects a wider commitment to honouring the past while building a future grounded in understanding, respect, and unity.
The Tavern
What began as a locally made comedy filmed in Cambridge has become one of New Zealand’s biggest independent film success stories of 2025. Written and produced by Cambridge filmmaker Matt Hicks, The Tavern combines humour, heart, and strong local character, with filming centred around the historic Masonic Hotel and support from the wider community. Its sold-out screenings and growing national following have firmly placed the film on the map.
Quietly world-class
From a quiet workshop in Cambridge, Fiasco designs and manufactures specialist road cases used by some of the world’s biggest music tours and productions. Founded by industry professionals with firsthand touring experience, the company has built a global reputation for innovation, efficiency, and adaptability. With most of its work exported internationally, Fiasco shows how world-class ideas and design can grow from right here in Cambridge.
Where world champions train and stay
Olympic and world champion Ellesse Andrews is one of the leading cyclists of her generation, and Cambridge has been central to her success. Supported by the town’s high-performance sporting environment and strong sense of community, Ellesse has chosen to build her life here while competing on the world stage. Her story reflects Cambridge’s reputation as a place where champions are not only developed, but choose to stay.
The remarkable legacy of the Cambridge Fire Brigade
The Cambridge Fire Brigade is built on generations of volunteers and the families who support them, responding to hundreds of callouts each year to keep the community safe. From mentoring local teenagers through a new cadetship programme to maintaining vital emergency equipment, the brigade continues to serve Cambridge with dedication, teamwork, and strong community support.
Cambridge’s streets then and now
Cambridge’s streets still carry the patterns and stories of the past, from early river trade routes to the arrival of rail and growing town centres. Many of the buildings and street layouts seen today reflect the town’s long history, with traces of earlier generations still visible throughout Cambridge and Leamington. Through historic photographs and preserved landmarks, the town’s past remains closely connected to everyday life today.
A creative escape to Cambridge
Cambridge offers a relaxed blend of art, nature, and community, with creativity woven throughout its streets, parks, and river paths. Along the Te Awa River Ride and around town, sculptures, murals, and public artworks celebrate the area’s history, culture, and natural beauty. From lakeside walks to hidden artistic details, Cambridge invites visitors to slow down, explore, and experience the town in a creative and uniquely local way.
A creative highlight at Fieldays
Fieldays 2026 will introduce a new creative feature at the Heritage Barn with David Henshaw’s Rural NZ: Jock, Landscapes & More. Presented by the David Henshaw Family Art Trust and Copper Mesh Creatives, the exhibition celebrates Henshaw’s iconic Jock cartoons alongside his landscape and botanical artworks, capturing the humour, character, and beauty of rural New Zealand life.
Cambridge welcomes the Sports Hall of Fame
The relocation of the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame to Cambridge marks a new chapter for the country’s sporting history. Integrated into the Grassroots Trust Velodrome alongside the interactive PlayLAB experience, the development will combine history, technology, and participation to inspire future generations. More than a museum, it will become a dynamic destination connecting elite sport, education, and community engagement.
Pages, people and a purpose, The Wright’s story
For generations, Paper Plus Cambridge, still fondly known as Wright’s, has been part of the everyday fabric of Cambridge life. Led by fifth-generation bookseller Hamish Wright, the business blends a long family history of bookselling with a strong commitment to community connection and personal service. In a rapidly changing retail world, its enduring success reflects the value of relationships, local knowledge, and genuine care for the people of Cambridge.
A new era for iconic Fieldays
Fieldays has grown into one of New Zealand’s most significant agribusiness events, generating major economic impact for the Waikato and beyond. Under new CEO Richard Lindroos, the focus is on expanding Mystery Creek into a world-class venue for large-scale events, innovation, and international partnerships. With strong ties to Cambridge, Fieldays continues to shape the future of agribusiness, education, and regional growth.
In it for the long game
After more than four decades serving Cambridge through pharmacy, sport, governance, and community work, Kevin Burgess remains one of the town’s strongest advocates. Recognised with an MNZM in the 2025 New Year’s Honours, his contribution continues through initiatives like the Cambridge Community Fund, created to support local giving and strengthen the community for future generations.
Cruising for a cause
What began as a small group of classic car enthusiasts has grown into one of New Zealand’s most recognised automotive clubs and a major force for community fundraising in Cambridge. Through cruises and the annual Cambridge Charity Car Show, the Stragglers have raised significant support for local children and community organisations, combining a passion for classic American cars with a strong commitment to giving back.
Cambridge’s love affair with gardening
Gardening remains an important part of Cambridge life, reflecting the town’s strong sense of pride, creativity, and connection to place. Through more than 45 years at Amber Garden Centre, Robert Clancy has helped generations of locals grow gardens that suit both their lifestyles and the local environment. Alongside supporting community initiatives and sharing gardening knowledge, Amber continues to play a lasting role in shaping Cambridge’s garden culture.
The Maunga that sings
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is one of the world’s most ambitious conservation projects, restoring a thriving native ecosystem protected by a 47-kilometre predator-proof fence. Home to rare species including kiwi, kākāpō, and takahē, the sanctuary reflects the deep commitment of iwi, volunteers, staff, and the wider community to protecting Aotearoa’s natural heritage. More than a conservation project, it is a place of connection, restoration, and shared guardiansh
Reimagined Cambridge Town Hall
Cambridge Town Hall has long been a place where the community comes together, holding generations of memories, events, and celebrations. Thoughtfully revitalised, it now offers welcoming spaces for business meetings, performances, and community gatherings, while remaining a familiar and trusted part of Cambridge life.
Building neighbourhoods that work for Cambridge life
As Cambridge grows, Bridleways is focused on creating a connected, liveable neighbourhood rather than simply adding housing. Led by local developer Matt Smith, the project prioritises walkability, infrastructure, sustainability, and community spaces to support everyday life. With a long-term focus on how people live and move, Bridleways reflects a practical approach to growth that aims to keep Cambridge feeling like Cambridge.
Two decades of delicious
From humble beginnings in Cambridge, Gourmet Delicious has grown into an award-winning hospitality business trusted to cater everything from local celebrations to Olympic teams and visiting royalty. Built on a “whatever it takes” approach, the business now includes three cafés, a specialist bakery, and a catering operation known for quality, adaptability, and strong community connections.
How Cambridge became the Town of Trees
Cambridge’s reputation as the Town of Trees was shaped through decades of thoughtful planting and community pride. Wide streets lined with mature trees have become one of the town’s defining features, creating the seasonal beauty and character locals and visitors know today. Supported by groups like the Cambridge Tree Trust, the town’s leafy identity remains an important part of what makes Cambridge unique.
Discover your own backyard
Hosting friends and family can be the perfect reminder of how much there is to appreciate in Cambridge and the wider Waikato. From local cafés, boutique shopping, and heritage streets to nearby adventures like Lake Karāpiro, Maungatautari, and Raglan, the region offers experiences that feel both familiar and worth rediscovering. Sometimes it simply takes fresh eyes to see just how special our own backyard really is.
A town that comes alive
Across Cambridge and the wider Waipā district, events play an important role in bringing people together and showcasing the region’s unique character. From major events like Fieldays and international sporting competitions to local markets, festivals, and garden tours, the district offers a vibrant mix of experiences that reflect its strong sense of community, connection, and place.
Pitch, play, explore
Camping in Cambridge offers families a chance to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy the simple moments that matter most. With riverside campsites, nearby walking and cycling trails, and plenty of space for kids to explore, the region makes it easy to balance outdoor adventure with comfort and convenience. Close to town yet surrounded by nature, it’s a relaxed way to experience the best of Waipā together.
20 years of Cambridge Park
Designed with people and connection in mind, Cambridge Park has become a neighbourhood that reflects the character and scale of Cambridge itself. With walkable streets, shared green spaces, and strong links to the wider town, the development was carefully planned to encourage everyday interaction and community life. Two decades on, it remains a lasting example of thoughtful growth shaped around people, place, and belonging.
Bringing business to Hautapu
Hautapu is quickly becoming Cambridge’s main industrial hub, attracting businesses looking for growth, connectivity, and long-term opportunity. Backed by infrastructure investment from Waipā District Council, the area is home to thriving businesses like Comins Plumbing and Gas and The Bale café. With strong community support and ongoing development, Hautapu continues to build momentum as a key centre for business in Waipā.
Lights on, Cambridge keeps moving
As Cambridge continues to grow, Waipā Networks is investing in the infrastructure needed to support the town’s future. From major upgrades in Hautapu to strengthening local power networks across Cambridge and Leamington, the focus is on delivering reliable, resilient energy for homes, businesses, and new development. As a community-owned organisation, Waipā Networks continues to balance long-term planning with strong local connections and support for the wider community.<
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The stories presented in this publication represent the diverse and vibrant community in Cambridge. They provide a snapshot of Cambridge's businesses, organisations, and activities, but may not encompass all entities or activities within the area. Stories were developed based on the information available at the time of creation and may be subject to change. We have made reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the content; however, we cannot guarantee its completeness or currency. We encourage readers to conduct further research and engage with relevant sources for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information.
