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The central Waikato town lies 90 minutes drive east of Rotorua, and ten minutes north of the region's famous Waitomo Caves. Otorohanga's 2700-odd residents are prouder than most to hail from the Land of the Long White Cloud, and as a result of their patriotism the town is now famous nationwide as the Kiwiana capital of the country.

In the late 1880s European settlers flocked to the lush banks of the Waipa River, where Maori had lived for hundreds of years. The nearby town of Kawhia was (and still is) an area rich in culture, as it's the resting place of the Tainui, one of the seven great canoes which brought Maori to New Zealand from the legendary island of Hawaiki.

Sawmills sprung up in the area after European settlement, but the thriving land and river running through was ideal for farming. Otorohanga is now a dyed in the wool farming town with dairy and sheep and beef farms throughout the area.

The town has had a long running affinity with Kiwi icons. In the 1950s Otorohanga witnessed a special performance by a very small girl, as a six year old Kiri Te Kanawa performed in the town hall way past her bedtime.

Does It Live Up To Its Title?

Otorohanga celebrates New Zealand's idiosyncracies in a window display throughout the main street shops. Twenty four permanent displays celebrate events, icons and things uniquely Kiwi. The displays are a blast from the past for New Zealanders, while visitors can check out those eccentric little things which Kiwis hold dear.

Tributes are paid to Fred Dagg, jandals, Barry Crump, Sir Edmund Hillary, the ANZACs - and those champions of cheese, Ches and Dale. A brochure available throughout the town makes browsing the displays simple for locals and visitors alike.

The town has also commissioned a series of Kiwiana murals that are now part of the streetscape.

The ultimate in kiwiana is celebrated in festival form in March of each year, and boasts quintessentially Kiwi entertainment and events. Punters can see how they fare in competitions hanging out the washing, hula hooping, sheep shearing and goal kicking in gumboots. There's also plenty of classic Kiwi tucker available - from hangi to traditional tea room food.

What Can I See There?

Otorohanga lies very close to one of the Waikato's most famous tourist attractions, the Waitomo Caves, which attract over 600,000 visitors each year.

Formed over 30 million years ago, the limestone caves are home to New Zealand's unique glowworms and provide exciting opportunities for caving and black water rafting.

Usually open 365 days a year, the caves closed temporarily in early December after fire destroyed the main visitors centre at the site. They have now been reopened.

The Waitomo Caves are situated 8km off State Highway 3, around one hour south of Hamilton.

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