WAIPAWA
Waipawa, located in the south Hawks
Bay region and Waipawa is also an outer suburb of Waipukurau, being
just seven Kms to the north of the larger community. That said,
Waipawa is a township that has most of the essential services.
Waipawa holds the main office of the district
council, and holds the distinction of being New Zealand’s oldest
inland European settlement and celebrates the 150 year anniversary
this year.
From the Waipawa website the following: - BEGINS

Waipawa is 150 years old in 2010!
For
information on the celebrations
13 February
- Waipawa's Grand Gala Day grand Parade, Gala and Games. Evening
'Picnic in Park'.
13 March
- Guided Historic Walks to Waipawa's oldest homes.
27 March
- Mary Glover Bibby Painting Exhibition & Joy Cowley Book Launch
10 April
-Waipawa Golf Tournament
24-25 April
- Waipawa Snooker Tournament
7 - 9 May
- Cold Duck Motor Bike Rally & Thunder Ride
9 October
- Waipawa's Spring Festival and Duck Race
9 October
- 'Through the Ages' Ball
And more
........ check the monthly event pages for updates
Waipawa is an inland town steeped in history and is one of the oldest
inland towns in New Zealand, with the first sections in the town being
sold by auction on February 25, 1860. Originally called Abbotsford
after its founder Frederick Sedgwick Abbott, by late 1861 the township
that nestled beside the Waipawa River had a church, a courthouse, four
hotels ,
two stores, two butcher shops, a blacksmith and the district survey
office.
History abounds in Waipawa, with some of the homes built in the late
1800s still standing, and the Settlers Museum
in Waipawa's main street crammed with items of interest and
significance. A feature of Waipawa is the memorial clock tower, opened
in July 1922.
The large established trees around the small town have been added to
over the years by a keen beautifying society, which is also behind
the addition, in the summer months, of hanging baskets full of
flowering plants adorning the main street. ENDS
The Waipawa War Memorial has a great profile as on enters the township
from the North.
The Anglican and Catholic
churches
are delightful, old and traditional structures.
A visit to Waipawa, including the visit to the museum is a must.
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