The Goblin Park on the Edge of Town
Naumai Park sits at the southern end of High Street in Hāwera, tucked behind the town's built edge in a sheltered gully. It is small, shaded, and unlike anything else in South Taranak, with winding paths, two small lakes, a kauri grove, stone walls, a waterfall, and a dense canopy of native trees. Some locals call it the goblin park.
From Rubbish Dump to Reserve
Naumai Park is not a natural remnant of bush - it is entirely man-made. The land was formerly a horse paddock and a rubbish dump on the edge of town, known at various points as Yarrow Park, Miro Park, and East End Park before being officially named Naumai in 1926. That year, a group of local volunteers, inspired by New Plymouth's Pukekura Park, began transforming the site at their own expense and on their own time. The Laurie A. Taylor Walk commemorates a local solicitor who devoted 50 years to the park’s development. Iron gates, donated by the former Hāwera Hospital, were installed in 1932 and still mark the main entrance.
The park was developed around small lakes, with paths winding between them, lined with native plantings and established trees. A kauri grove, with trees found only naturally in the upper North Island, was planted in 1927. The summerhouse, built in the 1940s in a whare-like style and decorated with a mural, is a popular picnic spot. A waterfall fed by a recirculating pump from the upper lake adds to the landscape.
Walking and Wildlife
The paths through Naumai Park are short and mostly level, suitable for all ages. The circuit of the main lake takes around 20 minutes, though the interconnected tracks allow a longer wander. Ducks and swans are a constant presence on the lakes. The native plantings attract tūī, kereru and other birds, and the dense canopy means the park feels cool and green even in Summer. A comprehensive hebe collection relocated from King Edward Park adds botanical interest.
How to Get There
From central Hāwea, head to the southern end of High Street. The main entrance is on High Street, and parking is available nearby. One option is to connect the park with King Edward Park via the town centre on foot. This takes about 30 minutes.
Nearby places to visit include Tawhiti Museum, Waihi Beach, Ōhawe Beach and Kāpokonui Beach.
