Hāwera

The town has strong connections to Taranaki’s agricultural and dairy industries and is home to Fonterra’s Whareroa dairy manufacturing complex, recognised as one of the largest dairy processing sites in the world. The extensive complex has its own gas-fired power plant and has played a significant role in the local economy since the original processing plant opened on the site in 1975.

Hāwera offers an impressive range of recreational amenities, including two golf courses, sporting facilities, parks and its own racecourse and horse training facilities.

The town is also known for its attractive character and heritage homes, including some excellent examples of traditional villa-style architecture.

A standout local attraction is the renowned Tawhiti Museum, which brings Taranaki’s history to life through highly detailed displays, life-sized figures and scale models depicting the region’s people and stories.

History: Hāwera translates to burnt place in english, named after fighting between two local sub-tribes, which culminated in the setting ablaze of the sleeping whare (house) of the tribe under attack. The name became apt when the town suffered extensive blazes in 1884, 1888, and 1912. For this reason a large water tower was built in the center of town to increase water pressure; and this became one of Taranaki’s best-known landmarks (appearing, for example, on the cover of the 1974 telephone directory). After falling into disrepair the tower was closed to the public in 2001, but after an extensive restoration program it opened again in 2004.