Hāwera

{{short description|Town in Taranaki Region, New Zealand}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2020}} {{Redirect|Whareroa|the settlement on Lake Taupō|Whareroa Village}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Hāwera | established_title1 = Established | established_date1 = 1866 | image_skyline = Hawera from the Water Tower.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Hāwera from the Water Tower | population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Hawera|y}} | population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}} | population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}} | area_total_km2 = 25.18 | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | population_density_km2 = auto | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Taranaki | subdivision_type2 = Territorial authority | subdivision_name2 = South Taranaki District | subdivision_type3 = Ward | subdivision_name3 = {{ubl|Te Hāwera General Ward|Te Kūrae Māori Ward|Te Tai Tonga Māori Ward}} | subdivision_type4 = Community | subdivision_name4 = Te Hāwera Community | seat_type = Electorates | seat = {{ubl|Whanganui|Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori)}} | leader_title = Territorial Authority | leader_name = South Taranaki District Council | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = Taranaki Regional Council | leader_title2 = Mayor of South Taranaki | leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|South Taranaki District Mayor|y}} | leader_title3 = Whanganui MP | leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Whanganui MP|y}} | leader_title4 = Te Tai Hauāuru MP | leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Hauāuru MP|y}} | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 | coordinates = {{coord|39|35|36|S|174|16|42|E|region:NZ|display=inline}} | postal_code_type = Postcode | postal_code = 4610 | official_name = }} thumb|right|The water tower at Hāwera

'''Hāwera''' is the second-largest centre in the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island, with a population of {{NZ population data 2018|Hawera|y}}.{{NZ population data 2018||||y}} 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 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 {{lang|mi|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.<ref>Because of differing oral traditions, translations such as "breath of fire" and "burning plains" have also been offered. See {{citation |title = HAWERA |encyclopedia=An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand |editor=A.H. McLintock |year=1966 |via=Te Ara – The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand |url = https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/hawera |access-date = 1 January 2008}}</ref> An older Māori name was {{lang|mi|Tau-patatē}}, referring to the patatē or seven-finger tree ''Schefflera digitata''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://rsnz.natlib.govt.nz/volume/rsnz_40/rsnz_40_00_002620.html|title= Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868–1961 Volume 40, 1907 |access-date= 8 October 2019|author= Elsdon Best|work= Maori Forest Lore: being some Account of Native Forest Lore and Woodcraft, as also of many Myths, Rites, Customs, and Superstitions connected with the Flora and Fauna of the Tuhoe or Ure-wera District.|publisher= National Library of New Zealand}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/22450|title=Hāwera|website=NZGB Gazetteer {{!}} linz.govt.nz|access-date=19 April 2020}}</ref>

===European settlement===

The town's name meaning "burnt place" became apt when the town suffered extensive blazes in 1884, 1888, and 1912.<ref>For a ''near-contemporary account'' of the damage these fires caused, see {{citation |author = D. Nimmo Scott |title = Views of Hawera: before and after the fire |place = Hawera, [N.Z.] |publisher = D. Nimmo Scott |year = c. 1895 }}; a more recent one is {{citation |author1 = Arthur Fryer |author2 = Nigel Ogle (ill.) |title = Hawera's on fire |place = Hawera, [N.Z.] |publisher = Hawera Historical Society |year = 2003 }}. For details of Hawera's '''Fire Brigade''', see {{citation |author = Trevor N. Moore |title = Hawera Fire Brigade, 1882–1982: a centennial history |place = Hawera, [N.Z.] |publisher = The Brigade |year = 1982 }}</ref>

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.<ref name="contech">{{citation |author=Craig Stevenson |author2=Hugo Jackson |title=Hawera Water Tower Restoration |url=http://www.contech.co.nz/uploaded/Hawera%20Water%20Tower%20Restoration%20June%202004.pdf |publisher=Contech |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014110346/http://www.contech.co.nz/uploaded/Hawera%20Water%20Tower%20Restoration%20June%202004.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 October 2008}}</ref>

===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.<ref name="maraepgf">{{cite web |title=Marae Announcements |url=https://www.growregions.govt.nz/assets/funding-announcements/marae-announcements.xlsx |website=growregions.govt.nz |publisher=Provincial Growth Fund |format=Excel |date=9 October 2020}}</ref>

== Demography == Stats NZ describes Hāwera as a small urban area, which covers {{Convert|25.18|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Urban Rural 2023 (generalised)|access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref> It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Hawera|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Hawera|y}}|R}}/25.18|0}} people per km2.

{{Historical populations|2006|8,817|2013|9,129|2018|9,792|2023|10,365|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Egmont Showgrounds (221300), Turuturu (221600), King Edward Park (221700), Ramanui (221800) and Hawera Central (221900)}}</ref>}} 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1324%2B221301%2B221600%2B221700%2B221800%2B221900.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

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.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

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.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

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.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1324.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Hāwera (1324)}}</ref>

{{table alignment}} {| class="wikitable defaultright col1left" |+Individual statistical areas |- !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<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.221301.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Hāwera West}}</ref> |- | Turuturu || 4.33 || 1,983 || 458 || 759 || 37.4 years || $39,800<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.221600.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Turuturu}}</ref> |- | King Edward Park || 1.08 || 1,635 || 1,514 || 600 || 40.0 years || $33,700<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.221700.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=King Edward Park}}</ref> |- | Ramanui || 13.61 || 2,178 || 160 || 786 || 40.9 years || $34,000<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.221800.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Ramanui}}</ref> |- | Hāwera Central || 1.78 || 2,655 || 1,492 || 1,146 || 42.5 years || $31,400<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.221900.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Hāwera Central}}</ref> |- ! New Zealand !! !! !! !! !! style="text-align:right;"|38.1 years !! style="text-align:right;"| $41,500 |}

==Economy== thumb|Aerial view of Hāwera, including the surrounding agricultural landscape and the Whareroa Dairy Factory.

===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.<ref>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/agricultural-processing-industries/2/6/1 "Largest dairy factory in the world"], Te Ara</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eacorpsitelegacy.z8.web.core.windows.net/assets/dms-assets/91Whareroa.pdf|title=Application for approval of industrial co-generation station|publisher=Fonterra/ Todd Joint Venture|first=Rob|last=Wellington|date=6 July 2007}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 April 2018|title=The man behind the models at Hāwera's Tawhiti Museum|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/south-taranaki-star/102874993/the-man-behind-the-models-at-hweras-tawhiti-museum|access-date=24 May 2021|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>For historical background and significance of the Turuturu-Mokai pā site, see: {{citation |author = John Houston |title = Turuturu-Mokai: historic reserve near Hawera: an historical survey |place = Hawera, [N.Z.] |publisher = Hawera Star Print |year = 1958 }}. Additionally, for contemporary Māori community structures, refer to: {{citation |author = Gloria Kerehoma |title = Commemorative centennial [i.e. centennial] booklet, 1884–1984 |place = Hawera, [N.Z.] |publisher = Centennial Committee; Shore Print |year = 1984 }} on Aotearoa Pa.</ref>

==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.<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.hawerahs.school.nz/pages/school_history.htm |title=The Beginnings of Hawera High School |first=Arthur |last=Fryer |publisher=Hawera High School Jubilee Magazine |year=1994 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014084209/http://www.hawerahs.school.nz/pages/school_history.htm |archive-date=14 October 2008}}</ref> The intermediate school opened in 1961.<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.hi.school.nz/info.html|title=School Info|publisher=Hawera Intermediate|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014014452/http://www.hi.school.nz/info.html|archive-date=14 October 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |title=New school for south Taranaki |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/stratford-press/news/new-school-for-hawera-to-open-in-2023/O3YPCXAEIKQOXGMYOB6QFHEVUI/ |access-date=21 January 2022|work=The New Zealand Herald}}</ref> Te Paepae o Aotea is a secondary school for years 7 to 13<ref>{{TKI|961|Te Paepae o Aotea}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|961|y}}.

The Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki has a campus in Hāwera,<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.witt.ac.nz/Content/sub/100007551.aspx|title=Campus Maps|publisher=Western Institute of Technology|access-date=29 June 2008|archive-date=22 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922022048/http://www.witt.ac.nz/Content/sub/100007551.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> established in 1990.<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.witt.ac.nz/Content/sub/100012417.aspx|title=WITT History|publisher=Western Institute of Technology|access-date=29 June 2008|archive-date=22 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922022103/http://www.witt.ac.nz/Content/sub/100012417.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Hāwera Primary School, Ramanui School, Tawhiti School and Turuturu School are contributing primary (years 1–6) schools with rolls of {{NZ school roll data|2171|y}}, {{NZ school roll data|2226|y}}, {{NZ school roll data|2248|y}} and {{NZ school roll data|2255|y}} respectively.{{NZ school roll data||||y}} Hāwera Primary celebrates its 150th jubilee in 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.haweraprimary.school.nz/150th-jubilee|title=Hāwera Primary 150th Jubilee|publisher=Hāwera Primary School|access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref> Ramanui school celebrated its 50th jubilee in 2003.<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/notices.php/notices.php?action=view&id=601466 |title=Ramanui Primary School 50th Jubilee |journal=Education Gazette New Zealand |volume=82 |issue=5 |date=24 March 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030529003113/http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/notices/show_notices.cgi?id=601466|archive-date=29 May 2003}}</ref> Tawhiti School was established in 1920.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/21780949|title=Tawhiti School golden jubilee, 1920-1970|year=1970|publisher=Tawhiti School Jubilee Committee}}</ref> Turuturu School opened in 1927.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://libcattest.canterbury.ac.nz/Record/88580|title=Turuturu School, 1927-1977 : jubilee souvenir booklet|publisher=Turuturu School Jubilee Committee|year=1977}}</ref>

Hāwera Christian School and St Joseph's School are state integrated full primary (years 1–8) schools with rolls of {{NZ school roll data|1184|y}} and {{NZ school roll data|2235|y}} 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,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzcpt.nz/history|title=Our History|publisher=NZCPT|access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref> and again to a new site in 2024–2025.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/toxic-clean-up-refusal-by-crown-of-hawera-school-site-stalls-treaty-of-waitangi-deal/K6DKLKKPHBEZ7BLSG5KCKH5SY4/|title=Toxic clean-up refusal by Crown of Hāwera school site stalls Treaty of Waitangi deal|newspaper=New Zealand Herald|date=28 June 2024|first=Craig|last=Ashworth}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hawerachristian.school.nz/about-us/|title=About Hawera Christian School|publisher=Hāwera Christian School|access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref> St Joseph's opened in 1875.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://museumofsouthtaranaki.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/hawera.pdf|title=Hawera Town Centre Heritage Inventory|publisher=South Taranaki District Council|year=2003|first=Chris|last=Cochran|page=62}}</ref>

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngati Ruanui is a full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2383|y}}. It is a Kura Kaupapa Māori school which teaches in the Māori language. It opened in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://reweti.tripod.com/id1.html|title=Nga Kura Kaupapa Maori|access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref>

All these schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}

== 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.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Persico|first=Christina|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/116525184/phil-nixon-wins-south-taranaki-mayoralty-by-large-margin|title=Phil Nixon wins South Taranaki mayoralty by large margin|date=12 October 2019|work=Taranaki Daily News}}</ref>

== Notable people == {{maincat|People from Hāwera}}  * 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==

{{Weather box|width=auto |metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Hawera (1991–2020 normals, extremes 2004–present) | Jan record high C = 30.7 | Feb record high C = 28.3 | Mar record high C = 26.2 | Apr record high C = 24.2 | May record high C = 21.4 | Jun record high C = 18.7 | Jul record high C = 19.0 | Aug record high C = 19.3 | Sep record high C = 20.0 | Oct record high C = 22.9 | Nov record high C = 23.4 | Dec record high C = 25.8 | year record high C = 30.7 | Jan avg record high C = 25.8 | Feb avg record high C = 25.7 | Mar avg record high C = 24.8 | Apr avg record high C = 21.8 | May avg record high C = 19.4 | Jun avg record high C = 16.9 | Jul avg record high C = 16.1 | Aug avg record high C = 16.3 | Sep avg record high C = 18.3 | Oct avg record high C = 19.9 | Nov avg record high C = 21.7 | Dec avg record high C = 23.7 | year avg record high C = 26.7 |Jan high C = 20.7 |Feb high C = 21.3 |Mar high C = 19.9 |Apr high C = 17.6 |May high C = 15.4 |Jun high C = 13.2 |Jul high C = 12.3 |Aug high C = 13.0 |Sep high C = 14.1 |Oct high C = 15.5 |Nov high C = 16.9 |Dec high C = 19.2 | year high C = |Jan mean C = 16.7 |Feb mean C = 17.1 |Mar mean C = 15.7 |Apr mean C = 13.6 |May mean C = 11.6 |Jun mean C = 9.7 |Jul mean C = 8.7 |Aug mean C = 9.3 |Sep mean C = 10.6 |Oct mean C = 12.0 |Nov mean C = 13.2 |Dec mean C = 15.4 | year mean C = |Jan low C = 12.7 |Feb low C = 12.8 |Mar low C = 11.4 |Apr low C = 9.6 |May low C = 7.9 |Jun low C = 6.2 |Jul low C = 5.1 |Aug low C = 5.6 |Sep low C = 7.1 |Oct low C = 8.5 |Nov low C = 9.5 |Dec low C = 11.7 | year low C = | Jan avg record low C = 6.8 | Feb avg record low C = 6.6 | Mar avg record low C = 4.6 | Apr avg record low C = 2.4 | May avg record low C = 0.8 | Jun avg record low C = -0.4 | Jul avg record low C = -1.2 | Aug avg record low C = -0.6 | Sep avg record low C = 0.6 | Oct avg record low C = 1.8 | Nov avg record low C = 2.9 | Dec avg record low C = 5.7 | year avg record low C = -1.9 |Jan record low C = 4.1 |Feb record low C = 3.7 |Mar record low C = 0.3 |Apr record low C = 0.4 |May record low C = -1.2 |Jun record low C = -3.3 |Jul record low C = -4.4 |Aug record low C = -2.4 |Sep record low C = -2.7 |Oct record low C = -1.1 |Nov record low C = -0.2 |Dec record low C = 3.5 |year record low C = -4.4 |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 70.7 |Feb rain mm = 60.7 |Mar rain mm = 71.1 |Apr rain mm = 104.7 |May rain mm = 104.1 |Jun rain mm = 116.6 |Jul rain mm = 117.3 |Aug rain mm = 105.2 |Sep rain mm = 102.4 |Oct rain mm = 105.9 |Nov rain mm = 91.7 |Dec rain mm = 98.9 |year rain mm = |source 1 = NIWA<ref name= NIWA> {{cite web |url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz |title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Hawera Aws |publisher = NIWA |access-date = 20 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/ |title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 25222) |publisher = NIWA |access-date = 5 Sep 2024}}</ref> }}

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Wikivoyage}} {{Commons category|Hāwera}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100726115518/http://www.stdc.co.nz/index.php?page=home.php Hāwera information page] from the South Taranaki District Council

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hawera}} Category:South Taranaki District Category:Populated places in Taranaki Category:Hāwera