Hawera Tourist Attractions
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Under the south side of Mount Taranaki, at the northwest end of Taranaki Bay, is the agricultural market town of Hawera (pop. 11,000); the Maori name means 'burnt earth'. Threatened by the Hauhau movement after the land wars in the Taranaki region, the settlers withdrew southward to Patea. In 1870 a military post was established at Hawera, and round this a settlement grew. Angered by the government's tolerance in its dealings with the Maori leader Te Whiti and the passive resistance and civil disobedience of his tribe, the local settlers drove out the Maoris in 1879 and proclaimed the Republic of Hawera; the separatist movement was quickly put down by the government.
Turuturu-mokai Pa
Of the fortified Maori settlement of Turuturu-mokai Pa, built long before the arrival of the Europeans, there remain parts of the ramparts and storage pits.There also survive five outer strongpoints (2.5km north of Hawera; signposted). In the late 1860s British troops constructed a defensive position outside the pa, which was attacked and overrun in 1868 by Hauhau warriors and a white defector.
Water Tower
From the water tower (50m high) at the corner of High Street and Albion Street there are magnificent views.
Elvis Presley Memorial Room
The Elvis Presley Memorial Room has a collection of records and souvenirs of the famous rock 'n' roll star assembled by a local Elvis fan.
Tawhiti Museum
The Tawhiti Museum, housed in a former dairy, has a rich collection of material on the eventful history of the region.The museum uses life size exhibits and scale models.
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