Te Kūiti: A Town Rich in History
Te Kūiti, located in the heart of the King Country in the North Island, is a town with a rich historical background and a welcoming atmosphere for travellers. Originally established as a railway town in the 1880s, Te Kūiti has evolved into a charming rural service town, with several attractions along its main street.
The Heart of the King Country
Te Kūiti sits within the rohe of Ngāti Maniapoto, whose ancestors have lived in the Waipā and King Country region for many generations. The surrounding valleys supported kāinga (villages), gardens and mahinga kai along the Mangaokewa Stream.
In the mid-19th century, Te Kūiti was closely linked with the Kīngitanga movement; after the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s, the area was part of the aukati line marking the boundary of the King Country, where Government authority was restricted and European visitors required permission.
European settlement appeared after an agreement between Kīngitanga and the government to permit access for the railway line in the 1880s, with forest clearance, sheep farming and service towns.
Discovering the Historical Landmarks
Te Kūiti's town centre and railway station area are home to several notable landmarks that reflect its historical significance. The statue of Colin Meads stands as a tribute to one of New Zealand's most famous rugby players. Nearby, a large monument celebrates the town's connection to sheep shearing, an important aspect of its rural heritage. The small pavilion located on the main road, north of the station, provides insight into Te Kūiti's past, both Māori and European. At the south end of the town is a Japanese Garden, almost directly opposite the sheep shearing monument!
How to Get to Te Kūiti
Te Kūiti is located south of Otorohonga on State Highway 3, and is a 2.5-hour drive from Auckland. It sits at the junction of State Highway 3, which continues southwest to Taranaki, State Highway 4, which heads south to Taumarunui and Tongariro National Park and State Highway 30, which heads east to Pureora Forest and Tokoroa.
The town is also a short drive from Waitomo Caves and the other activities along Te Anga Road, such as the Ruakuri Walk and Tawerau Falls Loop Track.
