Waverley

The township offers co-educational primary schooling for Years 1–8 and has a strong range of recreational facilities, including an 18-hole golf course, rugby, bowling and tennis clubs, a community swimming pool, skate park, playground and BMX track.

Waverley Beach is known for its distinctive black sand, created by the region’s iron-sand deposits, and is a popular destination for surfing and summer recreation. The beachside campground is particularly popular during the warmer months.

Waverley is also home to a significant sawmilling operation, providing local employment and supporting the surrounding rural economy. Positioned on State Highway 3, the township’s cafés and amenities make it a popular stopping point for travellers heading to and from the Taranaki region.

History: Wairoa’s name was changed to Waverley in 1876 to avoid confusion with other towns called Wairoa. Many of the area’s early settlers came from Scotland – they chose the new name in memory of Sir Walter Scott, whose books had become known as the Waverley novels.

It was an important colonial stronghold during the land wars of the 1860s, during which time the town was called Wairoa. The town is well known for its farming and thoroughbred stables. The race horse Kiwi was trained in the paddocks of a Waverley sheep farm by owner Snow Lupton, and went on to go from last on the final bend to win the 1983 Melbourne Cup.