Kawhia Harbour
Kawhia Harbour (Māori: Kāwhia) is one of three large natural inlets in the Tasman Sea coast of the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located to the south of Raglan Harbour, Ruapuke and Aotea Harbour, 40 kilometres southwest of Hamilton. Kawhia is part of the Ōtorohanga District and is in the King Country. It has a high-tide area of 68 km2 (26 sq mi) and a low-tide area of 18 km2 (6.9 sq mi). Te Motu Island is located in the harbour.
Kawhia | |
|---|---|
The harbour with Tiritirimatangi Peninsula at centre | |
| Coordinates: 38°6′S 174°48′E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato Region |
| District | Ōtorohanga District |
| Ward | Kāwhia-Tihiroa Ward |
| Community | Kāwhia Community |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Ōtorohanga District Council |
| • Regional council | Waikato Regional Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.93 km2 (0.36 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2023) | |
| • Total | 400 |
| • Density | 430/km2 (1,100/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode | 2451 |
| Area code | 07 |
The settlement of Kawhia is located on the northern coast of the inlet, and was an important port in early colonial New Zealand. The area of Kawhia comprises 16 to 20 hectares (40 to 50 acres) and is the town block that was owned by the New Zealand Government. The government bought it from the Europeans in 1880 "not from the original Māori owners, but from a European who claimed ownership in payment of money owed by another European".