HAWERA Hawera is the ‘capitol’ of the South Taranaki region, and is a town that in common with a number mid size communities fighting a difficult battle with New Plymouth and Wanganui for the major purchase items. Hawera is at the junction of the ‘surf highway’ and direct route to New Plymouth. The coastal highway is the route being undertaken. The retail ‘main street’ in Hawera has been severely impacted by the major big box discounters and is struggling at this time to retain tenants with a number of empty stores. Hawera gains considerable economic benefit from the largest Fonterra Milk producing complex and tourism is increasingly a growing economic benefit for the region primarily driven by Mount Taranaki. Hawera is also home to Tawhiti Museum, well-known for its hand-crafted life-sized wax sculptures depicting scenes of local heritage and there is also the Elvis Presley and both are a must visit. Hawera is Maori for burnt place. The name became apt when the town suffered extensive blazes in 1884, 1888, and early 1900’s.For this reason a large water tower was built in the centre of town. The Hawera Anglican Church is a great traditional structure. The Hawera War Memorial has a great profile and presence in the heart of the cbd. The White Hart Hotel is the last remaining ‘original’ hotels. When passing through allow a minimum of half a day.