Te Kuiti there are plenty of things to do. A quinessential rural town is a great base to explore the Waikato and Waitomo Caves.
Te Kuiti highlights
- Great New Zealand Sheep Muster, over 1000 to 2000 sheep are mustered through the main street, street pop up stalls, entertainment galore and Maori cultural groups perform. The highlight is the New Zealand sheep shearing championship
- Te Kuiti is the nearest town to Waitomo Caves, approximately 20 km
- Cycle the Timber Trail
- Japanese inspired Tatsuno Japanese Gardens
- Te Kuiti lookout for sweeping views of the Waikato
- Mangaokewa Scenic Reserve for summer walks, picnics and swimming holes
- There is an 18-hole golf course in Piopio, where sheep maintain the fairways.
- Go shopping with Smarty Pants store with its vibrant streetscape a visitor favourite
Mangaokewa Scenic Reserve
- Discover a tranquil native forest reserve with plenty of walking tracks, a picturesque Cascade waterfall and links to the Te Araroa Trail. The Te Araroa Trail is the national walking track from the top of New Zealand to the botton. There well signposted swimming pools
Where to take the best selfies in Te Kuiti, Waikato?
- Visit the giant Shearing Statue which weighs 7.5 tonnes at the beginning of State Highway 30.
- Other large statues include the Weta Wall and Bronze Bat on Rora Street.
Where is Te Kuiti, Waikato located?
Te Kuiti is located in the central North Island, New Zealand. Te Kuiti is at the junction of State Highways 3 and 30.
State Highway 3 serves the West Coast of the North Island, major towns New Plymouth, Te Kuiti, Otorohanga, Palmerston North, Hawera, Whanganui, Te Awamutu, Hamilton, what to see and do — travel guide & itinerary.
State Highway 30 linking the Waikato and Bay of Plenty towns of Te Kuiti, Mangakino, Rotorua, and Whakatane.
What to do with the kids in Te Kuiti, Waikato?
- Visit the Waitomo Caves and explore Waitomo Caves, beyond the tourist circuit, what to see and best things to do
- Snap a group selfie with the kids against the massive sculpture of a shearer
- Browse the main street shopping and take a break in the many cafes
- Consider visiting the store, Smarty Pants where all things kids focused is on display
Te Kuiti festivals
The Great New Zealand Muster, a sheep stampede through the centre of town as well as New Zealand shearing championships.
What is the best time to visit Te Kuiti, Waikato?
- The best time to visit Te Kuiti in the Waikato is just after Easter. Join the street party for the Great Sheep Muster, pop up stalls from food to crafty goods, Maori cultural groups entertaining the crowds, music and revelry.
Timber Trail is a cycling trail following forest tramlines.
How did Te Kuiti get its name?
The name means “the narrowing in or closing in”, and refers to the closing in of the hills as the locality is approached from the north …
Source Encyclopaedia of New Zealand – Te Ara
Places of historic significance in Te Kuiti, Waikato
The Maori meeting house Tokanganui-a-Noho is classic elaborately carved meeting house and can be visited by prior arrangement.
It was built in 1873 under the direction of the Māori leader and prophet Te Kooti, who lived in Te Rohe Pōtae (the King Country) from 1872 until 1893. He gifted the house to Ngāti Maniapoto as a gesture of thanks for their hospitality not long before receiving a government pardon in 1883. The house has been relocated three times, the last time to make way for the railway line. Te Kooti and his followers were associated with over 40 meeting houses and he is credited with fostering their architectural development. Because of this, Te Tokanganui-a-Noho is of national historic and cultural significance, as well as being a focal point for Ngāti Maniapoto.
Judgment on Te Kuiti
Te Kuiti adds to the richness of things to do and see in the Waikato. For more details about the region check out Waikato Te Awa shared pathway trail attractions, things to do – Best Bits and a firm favourite with visitors, Waitomo Caves highlights what to see and do.
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