Kawerau, It’s a Great Place!!

Kawerau, often affectionately referred to as the “jewel” in the Eastern Bay of Plenty crown, Kawerau is renowned for its natural and picturesque beauty, plus an idyllic lifestyle.

Less than an hour east of Rotorua, and 30 minutes west of Whakatane, Kawerau is centrally located to all the activities, attractions and adventures the Eastern Bay of Plenty proudly has to offer.

Kawerau is nestled at the foot of Mt Putauaki (Mt Edgecumbe), a volcano which became dormant about 1000 years ago, and with the crystal clear and trout filled Tarawera River right on our doorstep, Kawerau is the obvious first choice as the outdoor and adventure playground of the Eastern Bay.

Home to the spectacular Tarawera Falls, tramping, fishing, golf, biking, all water sports, horse riding, Kawerau has it all to see and do.

Being close to all the best beaches in the Eastern Bay; sun, surf and sand is within easy reach, not to forget the beautiful fresh water lakes of Rotoma, Tarawera, and Okataina being only from 15 minutes away, Kawerau offers visitors an outstanding range of activity options to make a stay as quiet or as busy as they like.    

Boasting the warmest place in New Zealand, Kawerau regularly tops the summer daily maximum with an average reported temperature of 28.3’ C.

Kawerau is best known for its friendly people and strong community spirit, and is steeped in history and tradition. The town takes its name from a Maori chief who lived in the district around 1200 AD. Kawerau was a grandson of Toi-te-huatahi, an ancestor from whom many of the present tribes of the Bay of Plenty claim descent.

Kawerau and his people thrived on the abundant resources of the forests, sea, wetlands and rivers of the region. Before long his descendants were occupying a large area of the Bay of Plenty under the tribal name “Te Tini o Kawerau” which means “The multitude of Kawerau”.

According to tradition, Kawerau’s mother had given birth while out gathering fruit from the kiekie plant. The flax-like leaves of the kiekie plant was used to make a kete (bundle) into which the new born child was placed and carried back to the pa, hence his name Kawerau, meaning ”carrier of leaves” or “carried on leaves”. 

The township of Kawerau was first founded in 1953 and is one of the youngest towns in New Zealand. It is well planned with wide tree lined streets resplendent in a kaleidoscope of colour during autumn. The vibrant and popular shopping centre contains a wide range of essential products and services, in addition to an inclusion of a colourfull expression of arts and crafts unique to Kawerau, all of which will ensure a memorable and enjoyable shopping experience.

The timber processing industry is very much an integral part Kawerau’s history. Kawerau is the newsprint and paper tissue capital of New Zealand of which the town is very proud, with the mill contributing significantly to the overall New Zealand national economy. There is a diversity of other commercial activity within Kawerau, including substantial engineering and commercial maintenance operations.

New industry is being attracted to Kawerau, with a new educational and training institute established in 2005 called Maintain NZ which provides a national center for maintenance training. Created as a joint industry venture by Norske Skog Tasman, Carter Holt Harvey Tasman, Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union, Fonterra and Kawerau College. Maintain NZ is supported by NZ Trade and Enterprise through the Eastern Bay of Plenty Major Regional Initiative.  All training courses are linked to recognized qualifications from Auckland University Technology (AUT) or NZQA.  

A new geothermal power station is currently in the planning stages for construction by Mighty River Power within the Kawerau Boundary aimed to produce over 50% of the electricity used in the region. The volcanic zone which runs from Taupo through to White Island contains several areas of thermal activity, one of which is located at Kawerau. Thermal activity at Kawerau is even larger than that at Rotorua. The use of this geothermal resource has been used for mill processing since 1957, with one bore known as KA 21 considered to be the highest producing geothermal bore in the world.

Kawerau has many recreational and sporting facilities. In fact, it would be difficult to find sporting code which doesn’t have representation in Kawerau.

The thermally heated public swimming pool is open all year round, warmed to 38 degrees during winter, and cooled for summer. The pools are free to all Kawerau residents and visitors.

The Kawerau Golf course is an extremely attractive and easy walking full 18 hole course with the Tarawera River defining its eastern boundary, making it one of the most scenic Golf courses in the Eastern Bay. The Kawerau Golf Course is widely regarded as rating within the top 10 country Golf courses in New Zealand.  

Other recreational facilities available in Kawerau are the newly astro grassed Kawerau Bowling Club making these bowling facilities one of the best all weather greens in the Bay, a large modern multi- functional recreational centre and sportsdrome for indoor sports and larger events, a newly created skateboard park, a BMX track, and nine children’s playgrounds through out the borough.

The Sir James Fletcher Kawerau Historical Museum, accessed through the Kawerau Public Library in Jellicoe Court, provides an opportunity to view the emergence of the Pulp and Paper Industry and the Kawerau township with a photographical trip down memory lane. The construction camp, first schools, residential houses, shops, and the giant paper and pulp mill complexes as they took shape enables you to share in the great history of our wonderful Kawerau community.

The Kawerau Town Hall seats 600 for cinema, concerts and other formal type events. The Kawerau Concert Chambers seats around 200 and is used for smaller concerts, dances, receptions and meetings. With the other exceptional facilities Kawerau has to offer, events staged in Kawerau are always a viable and positive option.  

Kawerau has more parks and reserves per population than any where else in New Zealand. The public gardens leading into and throughout the township are always a credit to the Kawerau District Councils devoted gardening staff. 

The Monica Lanham Reserve is a 100 acre reserve centred in the Kawerau borough, which is now in the third year of an eleven year replanting programme being undertaken as a huge community project. The project involves clearing invasive plants and exotic trees and the cleared areas are being progressively replanted in native plants and trees. There are many well defined formed walking tracks within the 100 acre reserve. These are graded to suit all levels of fitness. Most of the tracks start from the Rotary entrance area on Fenton Mill Road, or from the Kawerau South School entrance, which is accessed from either River Road or from Onslow Street. Monika Lanham takes its name from an extraordinary woman recognized by the Kawerau District Council for her services to the community in 1978.

Kawerau hosts a number of events during the year, the National Woodskills Festival, King of the Mountain race, run up and down Mt Putauaki, a 54 hole Golf Tournament, a national dog show, and the Tarawera 100 motorcycle endurance race.

The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association stages an annual rally in Kawerau, with Kawerau being one of the few places in the Eastern Bay providing full facilities welcoming visiting Motor homes. Camping sites are available at the outlet at Lake Tarawera, however access permits are required from the Kawerau “I Site” before entering the forestry.  

We are confident that you will enjoy your stay with us and experience for yourself that Kawerau, It’s a Great Place!!