Culture and Heritage

A culturally rich and diverse area the region has been a significant area for Maori for centuries, being not only the base for the influential Kingitanga movement, but also the final resting place of one of the great voyaging canoes many centuries earlier. European settlers and their descendants have also thrived in the region, creating a cultural heritage based on agriculture and more recently economic and creative industries.

Tangata Whenua

The Waikato is strong in Maori history, with the great voyaging Tanui canoe making landfall at Kawhia on the west coast. In the nineteenth century, the area became the home of the Maori King movement, or Kingitanga, which was formed to unite Maori tribes throughout New Zealand. Several historic sites mark the 19th century Waikato wars fought between Maori and the advancing colonialist army. Today visitors to sites including Rangiriri in the north and Kihikihi (site of the Orakau battle) can stand on these deceptively peaceful spots and get a sense of the courage of the Maori as they defended their land. Kingitanga has its base at the impressive Turangawaewae Marae (meeting place) in Ngaruawahia.

Heritage on Show

The Waikato Museum in Hamilton’s CBD boasts a Tangata Whenua Collection with more than 30,000 objects relating to Tainui and other neighbouring iwi (tribes). A feature is a magnificent 200-year-old carved waka taua (war canoe) overlooking the culturally significant Waikato River. The museum has also recently opened ‘Never a dull moment’, an interactive exhibition which showcases Hamilton’s colourful history. As a further marker to the region’s history, on the far bank of the river from the museum the Rangiriri paddle steamer is being restored. Further south, the Te Awamutu Museum holds the figure of Uenuku – one of the most valued taonga (treasures) of the Tainui people and also pays tribute to the town’s musical sons Tim and Neil Finn, of Split Endz and Crowded House fame.

The region is dotted with good museums, including the Waikato Coalfields Museum in Huntly, the distinctive Firth Tower Museum in Matamata, the Putaruru Timber Museum, the Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre and Tirau Museum, a collector’s dream.

Art for All

As well as covering the region’s history, the Waikato Museum also regularly mounts major art exhibitions including local and overseas exhibitions. Work from Waikato’s leading artists can often be found in exhibitions at the ArtsPost building right beside the Waikato Museum.

Several galleries around town and the wider region also feature local artists’ work, and many are showcased in a Hamilton Art Trail. The Waikato also has a rich craft tradition, with artisans producing lovely pieces for sale all around the region. Another standout space is the Waitakaruru Arboretum and Sculpture Park. These extensively planted hillside gardens feature several impressive sculptures exhibitions a year.