Kawerau, New Zealand is not your typical holiday destination. As Aotearoa’s youngest town (just a baby, established in 1953), it was set up purely to service a timber mill. Tasman pulp and paper mill was responsible for the birth of this little North Island town, made up initially of mostly factory workers.
Kawerau very nearly died when the mill came close to closing in the 80’s, but, thankfully, both the mill and the town live on. The town certainly hasn’t grown as it was projected to, but thanks to a new school, a strong community and improved youth services, prospects in Kawerau are looking up. At the new Maurie Kjar Memorial Swimming Pool Complex (which is council-run and free), waters are heated by the geothermal steam iconic to the central North Island.
Kawerau has a strong Māori community; in fact, over half of its population is of Maori descent, and the Rautahi Marae is a focal point, representing all tribes and nationalities of the area. Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau is a trust which has been providing the district with support in the form of health, education and social services.
Where is Kawerau on the New Zealand map?
Kawerau is located in the eastern Bay of Plenty, off the Rotorua-Whakatane highway. On the map, that’s on the east of the North Island just about halfway down, and above the peninsula of the East Cape.
What is Kawerau famous for?
Kawerau is certainly most famous for its giant pulp and paper mill, which produces 900,000 tonnes a year. The larger Bay of Plenty district, though, is best known for its long, beautiful beaches, from Mount Maunganui to Ohope.
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How far is Kawerau from Rotorua?
Kawerau is 58km of Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland and an absolute visitor favorite. Rotorua is where you’ll find crazy, bubbling geothermal landscapes, as well as the beautiful Lake Rotorua, its surrounding rivers and multiple Māori cultural heritage sites.
What is there to do in Kawerau?
You can take a tour of the timber factory, which is open to the public, but only by bookings. Like almost every town in New Zealand, the i-Site visitor centre is the best place for information, whether it’s a contact for the local marae or the best menu in town.
Though they’re often not open for public visitation, you may get lucky and be able to arrange a trip to the local marae, which, given the rich Māori cultural heritage of the area, is guaranteed to be an experience to write home about. Soak in the geothermal pools in town, or head further afield and explore the popular Lake Tarawera, with its magical forests and gorgeous surrounding rivers.
Can you climb Mount Edgecumbe?
Putauaki (Mount Edgecumbe) is a dormant volcanic cone sitting just behind Kawerau. You can climb to the summit, but only with a permit from the council. You can contact the council through the i-Site (who can also give you more information about climbing the volcano) or find their number online. The climb takes most people about 3.5 hours return.
What is the Kawerau Geothermal System?
As part of the pulp and paper mill development, Kawerau became the first geothermal production field in New Zealand. Basically, this means the steam from thousands of tons of geothermal fluid gets used each day for power generation and paper and timber drying.
What else is there to see in the Bay of Plenty?
The Bay of Plenty is home to some of the North Island’s most popular beaches, and because of its rich and continuing Māori heritage, some significant cultural sites.
How far is Kawerau from Waihi Beach?
Waihi beach, a golden-sanded favourite in the district, is about two hours from Kawerau.
What is there to do in Mount Maunganui?
Mount Maunganui is another gem on the menu if you’re tripping around within the Bay of Plenty, and it’s one of the North Island’s top holiday spots. Boasting a long beach and a bustling town centre, it’s full of surfers, sun worshippers and all-round leisure-makers.
How do you get to Tarawera falls?
Tarawera Falls, in Rotoiti forest, is about half an hour from Kawerau, and can be explored via the Tarawera Falls Track, a short and easy hike along the Tarawera river.
Is Kawerau a good place to live?
For those who enjoy life at a slow pace, or are big fans of the timber industry, this is the place for you.
