Andy Palmer
Andy Palmer
THE MILLENNIUM PAVILION - Te Kuiti
The Millennium Pavilion was unveiled in 1999 and is named "Te Kuititanga o Nga Whakaaro". Its translation is 'the narrowing of thoughts and ideas', meaning the pavilion brings together thoughts and ideas about Te Kuiti.
The pavilion consists of beautifully etched glass, woven flax panels and wooden carvings. As a centre piece you'll find a sculpture of Tuwhakahekeao, the brother of Ngati Maniapoto's ancestor Maniapoto who guards the building.
Location: Rora St, Te Kuiti.
Price: free
Hours: 24
LEMON & PAEROA BOTTLE - Paeroa
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The Lemon & Paeroa Bottle was first erected in Christmas 1968 in the Paeroa township partly because of the Paeroa Space rocket from the previous year.
Due to its ability to be a hazard to traffic the bottle was dismantled and a smaller one was assembled in 1969, it remains on its current site at the ÅŒhinemuri Reserve since 2002.
Location: Ohinemuri park, Paeroa.
Hours: 24.
Price: free.
PAEROA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM - Paeroa
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The Paeroa Historical Museum offers many displays covering multiple aspects of the district’s early history. Here you'll find historic photographs, a replica of Paeroa's main street shops (1910) and a variety of period costumes.
The museum offers a large display of Maori artifacts one of which is a 250-year-old canoe stern post, carved with stone adze as well as a 527-piece collection of "old Country Rose" Royal Albert bone china.
Location: 37 Belmont Road, Paeroa.
Hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm
Price: Adults $2 / Child $1
Photo courtesy of NZ Museums
KAIMAI MAMAKU FOREST PARK - Te Aroha
​The Forest Park consists of 37,000 ha and is a living museum of natural and human history. The park marks the northern limit of red and silver beech trees as well as kamahi and is the southern limit of the kauri tree. There is a multitude of birdlife including the Fantail, Waxeye or Silver-Eye, North Island Robin, Kereru (NZ's native pigeon), Tomtit and Tui.
Location: Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park can be accessed at various points along SH2 (between Tauranga and Katikati), SH 26 (10 kilometres south of Te Aroha) or SH 29 20 kilometres from Tauranga.
Photo courtesy of Jenny Scott, Flickr.
Photo courtesy of Jenny Scott, Flickr.
RAURIMU SPIRAL - Taumarunui

The Raurimu Spiral completed in 1908 and situated 30km south of town is a unique feat of railway engineering and 10 years work. For those railway enthusiasts you can experience the spiral by taking the Overlander train to the National Park township which costs around $130 return.
There is a viewing platform on SH 4 at Raurimu.
Location: State Highway 4, Ruepehu
Price: free
Hours: 24
HAKIAHA STREET - Taumarunui

Hakiaha St offers a few items of interest. At the eastern end of Hakiaha St in Taumaranui you'll find Hauaroa Whare, a beautifully carved house. At the western end there is a sculpture of a top hat on a large rock "Te Rohe Potae" memoralising King Tawhiao’s assertion of his mana (authority) over the King Country.
Location: Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui
Price: free
Hours: 24
gtchaos
Waitomo District Council
gtchaos
BROOK PARK - Te Kuiti
Brook Park is situated on the northwestern boundary of Te Kuiti, and is the site of the historic Pa "Matakiora". The Pa was constructed in the 17th century by Rora, a son of Maniapoto. Its a 40 min walk to the Pa which consists mostly of steep slopes including the walk up there.
Worth a look in the autumn as the arboretum offers beautiful colours.
Location: Te Kumi Rd, Te Kuiti
Price: free
Hours: 24
Web: http://www.waitomo.govt.nz/community-service/parks-and-reserves/brook-park/
Photo courtesy of Amanda Martin-Shaver
Photo courtesy of Amanda Martin-Shaver
BIG SHEARER - Te Kuiti

Big Shearer Statue is the most prominent landmark in Te Kuiti. The statue stands at a height of 6m and weighs 7½-tonne. Te Kuiti is renowned for its sheep shearing and the statue symbolises this.
Location: Rora St, Te Kuiti
Price: free
Hours: 24
Web: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/18253/statue-of-shearer-te-kuiti
RAGLAN/ NGARUNUI BEACH - Raglan
Raglan Beach "Ngarunui" is a popular beach for surfing, swimming and fishing. The beach is most popular for surfing at its breaks, attracting large numbers year round. Ngarunui Beach commonly has large powerful surf, deep holes and strong rips. It is recommended to swim between the flags. The beach has limited facilities and lifesaving services are on-hand throughout summer & the school holidays.
Location: 5kms from Raglan Township. 48kms west of Hamilton.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Photo courtesy of Jamie Nilsson, Surf Llfesaving NZ
old school arts centre
old school arts centre
OLD SCHOOL ARTS CENTRE - Raglan
The Old School Arts Centre is community based and has changing exhibitions and workshops available for the community.
During summer there are movies shown for a price of $11.00 with food available. The Raglan Creative Market is held on the Sunday of every month (9am till 2pm), worth a look, you might find that little some thing special.
Location: Stewart St, Raglan.
Price: admission free
Hours: 10am-2pm Mon & Web, exhibition hours may vary.
TE KOPUA RECREATIONAL RESERVE - Raglan
Te Kopua or Papahua is a well known popular beach reserve just across from Raglan township. The reserve consists of 18 hectares and was gifted by Maori to the Raglan council in 1923. Commonly referred to as the Kopua Domain, the reserve is mainly used by beach goers wanting to swim, picnic, or walk along the beach or the reserve. The reserve has public toilets and changing rooms available just past the picnic areas.
Location: Kopua Domain, just over footbridge from Raglan township
Price: free
Hours: 24
Photo courtesy of raglan23.co.nz
Theo V L
Theo V L
OWHAROA FALLS - Waikino
Owharoa Falls are situated about 5km's out of Waikino. To get there head
north via Paeroa and through the Karangahake Gorge towards Waihi, you'll find Owharoa Falls down Waitaheta Rd. The falls are just a few minutes walk from the road and are a beautiful experience, definitely worth a stop.
Location: Waitawheta Rd, Waikino.
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Price: free |
Hours: 24
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Ohaupo, Te Awamutu, Tirau, Taumarunui, Putaruru, Te Kuiti, Otorohunga, Raglan
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