Thames, New Zealand
Thames | |
|---|---|
View from end of Monument Road to the south | |
Interactive map of Thames | |
| Coordinates: 37°8′18.2″S 175°32′25.8″E / 37.138389°S 175.540500°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato Region |
| District | Thames-Coromandel District |
| Ward | Thames ward |
| Community Board | Thames Community |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Council | Thames-Coromandel District Council |
| • Regional council | Waikato Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Thames-Coromandel | Peter Revell |
| • Coromandel MP | Scott Simpson |
| • Hauraki-Waikato MP | Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke |
| Area | |
• Total | 16.99 km2 (6.56 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025) | |
• Total | 7,230 |
| • Density | 426/km2 (1,100/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 3500, 3540 |
Thames (/tɛmz/ ⓘ) is a town at the southwestern end of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand's North Island. It is located on the Firth of Thames close to the mouth of the Waihou River. The town is the seat of the Thames-Coromandel District Council. The Māori iwi are Ngāti Maru, who are descendants of Marutuahu's son Te Ngako. Ngāti Maru is part of the Marutūāhu confederation of iwi.
Thames had an estimated population of 15,000 in 1870, but this declined to 4,500 in 1881, and it has increased modestly since. It is still the biggest town on the Coromandel Peninsula. Until 2016, a historical oak tree that was planted by Governor George Grey stood on the corner of Grey and Rolleston streets.