Hāwera
Town in Taranaki Region, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hāwera is the second-largest centre in the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island, with a population of 10,700.[5] It is near the coast of the South Taranaki Bight. The origins of the town lie in a government military base that was established in 1866, and the town of Hāwera grew up around a blockhouse in the early 1870s.
Hāwera | |
|---|---|
Hāwera from the Water Tower | |
 Interactive map of Hāwera | |
| Coordinates: 39°35′36″S 174°16′42″E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Taranaki |
| Territorial authority | South Taranaki District |
| Ward |
|
| Community | Te Hāwera Community |
| Established | 1866 |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | South Taranaki District Council |
| • Regional council | Taranaki Regional Council |
| • Mayor of South Taranaki | Phil Nixon[1] |
| • Whanganui MP | Carl Bates[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 25.18 km2 (9.72 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 10,700 |
| • Density | 425/km2 (1,100/sq mi) |
| Postcode | 4610 |
Hāwera is 75 kilometres south of New Plymouth on State Highway 3 and 30 minutes' drive from Mount Taranaki. It is located on State Highway 45, known as Surf Highway 45 for its numerous surf beaches. State Highway 45 passes through Manaia, Ōpunake and Oakura en route to New Plymouth. Kaponga is a 20-minute drive to the north-west. The Marton–New Plymouth Line railway passes through Hāwera and has served the town since 1 August 1881, though it has been freight-only since the cancellation of the last railcar passenger service between Wellington and New Plymouth on 30 July 1977.
History
Pre-European history
The Māori-language name Hāwera means "burnt place"; it arose as a result of fighting between two local sub-tribes, which culminated in the setting ablaze of the sleeping whare (house) of the tribe under attack.[6] An older Māori name was Tau-patatē, referring to the patatē or seven-finger tree Schefflera digitata.[7] Spelled "Hawera" for most of its European history, a macron was added to the official name by the New Zealand Geographic Board in June 2019.[8]
European settlement
The town's name meaning "burnt place" became apt when the town suffered extensive blazes in 1884, 1888, and 1912.[9]
For this reason a large water tower was built in the centre 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 programme it opened again in 2004.[10]
Marae
There are four marae in the Hāwera area:
- Ngātiki Pa, is affiliated with Taanga’oe Hapū of Hāmua and Hawe.
- Te Rangatapu Marae and its Aorangi meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāruahine hapū of Kanihi-Umutahi and Ōkahu-Inuāwai.
- Taiporohēnui Marae and its Whareroa meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Ruanui hapū of Hāmua and Hāpōtiki.
- Wharepuni Marae and its Tūpaia meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Ruanui hapū of Ngāti Tānewai and Ngāti Tūpaea.
In October 2020, the Government committed $1,479,479 from the Provincial Growth Fund to renovate Meremere Marae, Ketemarae Pā, Pariroa Marae and Taiporohēnui Marae, creating 35 jobs.[11]
Demography
Stats NZ describes Hāwera as a small urban area, which covers 25.18 km2 (9.72 sq mi).[4] It had an estimated population of 10,700 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 425 people per km2.
Hāwera had a population of 10,365 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 573 people (5.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 1,236 people (13.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 5,049 males, 5,271 females, and 39 people of other genders in 4,014 dwellings.[14] 2.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 2,076 people (20.0%) aged under 15 years, 1,737 (16.8%) aged 15 to 29, 4,341 (41.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 2,208 (21.3%) aged 65 or older.[12]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 77.5% European (Pākehā); 29.0% Māori; 3.4% Pasifika; 5.8% Asian; 0.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.2%, Māori by 6.4%, Samoan by 0.8%, and other languages by 5.4%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 11.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.[12]
Religious affiliations were 32.9% Christian, 1.3% Hindu, 0.6% Islam, 1.6% Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.3% New Age, and 1.0% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 53.4%, and 8.7% of people did not answer the census question.[12]
Of those at least 15 years old, 861 (10.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 4,719 (56.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 2,706 (32.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $35,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 639 people (7.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 3,891 (46.9%) full-time, 948 (11.4%) part-time, and 270 (3.3%) unemployed.[12]
| Name | Area (km2) | Population | Density (per km2) | Dwellings | Median age | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hāwera West | 4.38 | 1,911 | 436 | 729 | 40.9 years | $42,400[15] |
| Turuturu | 4.33 | 1,983 | 458 | 759 | 37.4 years | $39,800[16] |
| King Edward Park | 1.08 | 1,635 | 1,514 | 600 | 40.0 years | $33,700[17] |
| Ramanui | 13.61 | 2,178 | 160 | 786 | 40.9 years | $34,000[18] |
| Hāwera Central | 1.78 | 2,655 | 1,492 | 1,146 | 42.5 years | $31,400[19] |
| New Zealand | 38.1 years | $41,500 |
Economy
Dairy industry
The cornerstone of Hāwera's economy is the dairy industry. The Whareroa Dairy Factory, located approximately 4 km southeast of the township, was once the largest dairy-production site in the world.[20] The complex is currently owned by Fonterra, having been built by the Kiwi Co-operative Dairies, whose original plant opened on the site in 1975.
During peak season, the complex employs around 1,000 staff members and processes up to 14 million litres of milk. The site also features a gas-fired power plant that supplies electricity and heat for dairy. Excess electricity from the plant is fed into the national power grid.[21]
Cultural attractions
Hāwera is home to the Tawhiti Museum. The museum is known for its handcrafted life-sized figures and scale models. Exhibits in the museum portray the cultural history and heritage of the region. The museum's displays include detailed recreations of local Māori pā sites. Exhibit provide educational insight into the historical lifestyles and structures of the indigenous community.[22] The historical significance of such sites is exemplified by the Turuturu-Mokai complex, which is an archaeological treasure and provides a tangible connection to the region's past.[23]
Education
Hāwera Primary School was established in 1875. It developed into a District High School in 1901. Hāwera High School opened as Hāwera Technical High School in 1919, and moved to a new site in 1921.[24] The intermediate school opened in 1961.[25] In October 2021, it was announced that Hāwera High School and Hāwera Intermediate would be closing at the end of 2022. A new, years 7–13 school, Te Paepae o Aotea, was created on the former Hāwera High School campus at the beginning of 2023.[26] Te Paepae o Aotea is a secondary school for years 7 to 13[27] with a roll of 867.
The Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki has a campus in Hāwera,[28] established in 1990.[29]
Hāwera Primary School, Ramanui School, Tawhiti School and Turuturu School are contributing primary (years 1–6) schools with rolls of 169, 52, 280 and 298 respectively.[30] Hāwera Primary celebrates its 150th jubilee in 2025.[31] Ramanui school celebrated its 50th jubilee in 2003.[32] Tawhiti School was established in 1920.[33] Turuturu School opened in 1927.[34]
Hāwera Christian School and St Joseph's School are state integrated full primary (years 1–8) schools with rolls of 55 and 211 respectively. Hāwera Christian School, originally Belmont Christian Academy, was acquired by the NZ Christian Proprietors Trust in 2013, and moved to a leased site in Hāwera,[35] and again to a new site in 2024–2025.[36][37] St Joseph's opened in 1875.[38]
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngati Ruanui is a full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 114. It is a Kura Kaupapa Māori school which teaches in the Māori language. It opened in 1998.[39]
All these schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of October 2025.[30]
Politics
Hāwera is in the South Taranaki district. After serving four terms as mayor of South Taranaki, Ross Dunlop did not stand in the 2019 election, and was replaced as mayor by District Councillor Phil Nixon.[40]
Notable people
- Aroha Awarau, journalist
- Michael Bent, rugby player
- Pat Booth, investigative journalist
- Chester Borrows, National Party Member of Parliament
- Cameron Brewer, Auckland councillor
- Alan Brough, actor and comedian
- Gayle Broughton, rugby union player
- Michael Campbell, professional golfer
- Tim Chadwick, artist and author
- Geoffrey Duncan Chisholm, surgeon
- Fanny Good (1860–1950), painter and botanical illustrator
- John Gildroy Grant, World War I Victoria Cross recipient
- Wayne Gould, populariser of sudoku
- Ben Hurley, comedian and cricket commentator
- Peter Ingram, cricket player
- Fiona Kidman, writer
- Nicola Kawana, actress
- Issac Luke, rugby league player
- John Mitchell, rugby union player and coach
- Ronald Hugh Morrieson, author
- Alan Stuart Paterson, cartoonist
- John Plumtree, rugby union player and coach
- Conrad Smith, All Black rugby union player
- Elijah Taylor, rugby league player
- Adine Wilson, Silver Ferns netballer
- Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Māori Party member of parliament
Climate
| Climate data for Hawera (1991–2020 normals, extremes 2004–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 30.7 (87.3) |
28.3 (82.9) |
26.2 (79.2) |
24.2 (75.6) |
21.4 (70.5) |
18.7 (65.7) |
19.0 (66.2) |
19.3 (66.7) |
20.0 (68.0) |
22.9 (73.2) |
23.4 (74.1) |
25.8 (78.4) |
30.7 (87.3) |
| Mean maximum °C (°F) | 25.8 (78.4) |
25.7 (78.3) |
24.8 (76.6) |
21.8 (71.2) |
19.4 (66.9) |
16.9 (62.4) |
16.1 (61.0) |
16.3 (61.3) |
18.3 (64.9) |
19.9 (67.8) |
21.7 (71.1) |
23.7 (74.7) |
26.7 (80.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 20.7 (69.3) |
21.3 (70.3) |
19.9 (67.8) |
17.6 (63.7) |
15.4 (59.7) |
13.2 (55.8) |
12.3 (54.1) |
13.0 (55.4) |
14.1 (57.4) |
15.5 (59.9) |
16.9 (62.4) |
19.2 (66.6) |
16.6 (61.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 16.7 (62.1) |
17.1 (62.8) |
15.7 (60.3) |
13.6 (56.5) |
11.6 (52.9) |
9.7 (49.5) |
8.7 (47.7) |
9.3 (48.7) |
10.6 (51.1) |
12.0 (53.6) |
13.2 (55.8) |
15.4 (59.7) |
12.8 (55.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 12.7 (54.9) |
12.8 (55.0) |
11.4 (52.5) |
9.6 (49.3) |
7.9 (46.2) |
6.2 (43.2) |
5.1 (41.2) |
5.6 (42.1) |
7.1 (44.8) |
8.5 (47.3) |
9.5 (49.1) |
11.7 (53.1) |
9.0 (48.2) |
| Mean minimum °C (°F) | 6.8 (44.2) |
6.6 (43.9) |
4.6 (40.3) |
2.4 (36.3) |
0.8 (33.4) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
0.6 (33.1) |
1.8 (35.2) |
2.9 (37.2) |
5.7 (42.3) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 4.1 (39.4) |
3.7 (38.7) |
0.3 (32.5) |
0.4 (32.7) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
−2.7 (27.1) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
3.5 (38.3) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 70.7 (2.78) |
60.7 (2.39) |
71.1 (2.80) |
104.7 (4.12) |
104.1 (4.10) |
116.6 (4.59) |
117.3 (4.62) |
105.2 (4.14) |
102.4 (4.03) |
105.9 (4.17) |
91.7 (3.61) |
98.9 (3.89) |
1,149.3 (45.24) |
| Source: NIWA[41][42] | |||||||||||||
