Kawerau

Follow Age Hacker Cherry as she introduces us to her surroundings and documents it all via a blog and vlog (video blog) using her smartphone. Learn about nature, technology and more!

Kawerau is the town I have enjoyed living in for the past seven years.

It is one of the youngest towns in New Zealand, having been founded in 1953 as a mill town.

Sitting at the foot of two dormant volcanoes ‘Putuaki’ (Mount Edgecumbe) and MountTarawera, Kawerau is known for its National Woodskills Competition and Kawerau Woodfest, free thermal pools, white water sports and provides freedom camping to self-contained motor-homes. Other events such as dog agility and championship shows, bird shows, equestrian events, the Tarawera Ultramarathon, the annual Kawerau King of the Mountain race and Kawerau Big 3 (Stag, Boar and Snapper) Competition, are all held in Kawerau. It is also becoming well-known around the Eastern Bay area for the annual Christmas in the Park entertainment and fireworks.

We made our home here after ‘finding’ it while riding around Eastern Bay on our Honda Goldwing trike when we were looking for land to build on. We found the land we were looking for, bought it and settled into the quiet life. We felt we had the lifestyle we wanted with the bonus of being close to the cities of Tauranga which is only 100 km south-east and Rotorua which is 50 km east.

Whakatane (the gateway to the East Cape) is a short drive of approx. 25 minutes which provides amenities such as a good-sized hospital with specialists visiting on a regular basis and three supermarkets servicing the Whakatane area.

It takes 25 minutes to get to the coast at Matata, a favourite spot for launching our kontiki.

Another favourite place to go with our kontiki is down the coast to Thornton and Opape Beach.

There are the lakes between Kawerau and Rotorua for trout fishing and the dams of Matahina and Anawhenua when we want a change from coastal fishing. We can pack up our motorhome and be at a great fishing spot all within a short drive from home.

The town boasts many beautiful parks and reserves. The walking track to the Tarawera falls, DOC camp and lake are 20 minutes from our home and a permit to use the road to this location can be obtained through the information centre in Kawerau.

Being able to be at the coast, up a mountain, on a lake, kayaking down a river, hunting or walking around a park or reserve within 10-45 mins from Kawerau or driving to a city within an hour, is what makes living in this place so appealing.

 Kawerau from Cheryle Bewley on Vimeo.

By Age Hacker, Cherry