He Kōrero Mō Kāwhia : About Kāwhia

"...Piuā ō mata ki Kāwhia moana ki Kāwhia kai ki Kāwhia tangata Ko te Kupu tēnā a ō tūpuna; Aue hei aue!..."

"...Now cast your eyes to the seas at Kāwhia, Kāwhia of abundant food and many people, thus was said by your ancestors - Aue hei aue!..."

Tō Mātou Tīmatatanga : Our Beginning

It was by no accident that the people of the great ocean going waka (canoe) Tainui, having traversed the mighty Pacific Ocean eventually settled Kāwhia in about 1350.

The rich food resources offered by the sea, in the low bush covered hills & fertile lands could not be resisted in the past & these diverse food resources continue to draw many visitors to this area to this day.

The descendants of Tainui & it's Chief Hoturoa soon went forth to found the single largest grouping of Māori known today as the Tainui Confederation (Waikato; Maniapoto; Raukawa and Hauraki).

The great waka Tainui was finally buried at Te Ahurei, & it's resting place marked by two stone pillars named Hani (ā te waewae i kimi atu) & Puna (whakatupu tangata).

Tō Mātou Hītori : Our History

Kāwhia has a long & colourful history of both Māori & European settlement.

However, it was almost 500 years after the arrival of Tainui, that European settlement began in Kāwhia, with the arrival of traders & missionaries from 1828 onwards.  

The area soon became a major trading centre with timber, flour, and flax being exported to overseas ports including Sydney & Hawai'i.  

Many local Māori were heavily involved in this trade up until the major land wars between the colonial government forces and the Waikato and allied tribes.

Kei Whea Mātou : Where Are We?....

Kāwhia is located on the north island of New Zealand's rugged west coast. About one hours drive south-west of Hamilton on State Highway 31. With approximately 400 permanent residents, the rural seaside village welcomes you with it's typically warm, friendly and relaxed 'Kiwi' atmosphere.

He Aha Ōna Painga : What We Offer...

Kāwhia 'The Coast with the most' offers scenic bush walks, historic sites of interest, fishing - either surf casting or charter boats, a nine hole golf course, Te Puia beach hot water springs, safe inner harbour beaches for swimming, kayaking, quaint local cafe's, horse treking, the 'best' fish & chip shops around, & very reasonably priced & affordable accommodation found in the local camping grounds, home stays, backpackers, motel & hotel.

And of course the single biggest event of the year - Kāwhia's Traditional Māori Kai Festival.

Along with those very first arrivals over 600 years ago it's easy to see why the Tainui people & in particular the tangata whenua - Ngāti Hikairo ki Kāwhia Moana have a deep spiritual & physical connection with this special part of Aotearoa-New Zealand & are very proud to help you discover Kāwhia, its harbour, its people, its food and yourself!

Nō reira rā, e tomo mai, e ara mai, e kuhu mai rā e...