Travel: Welcome to Te Aroha!

New Zealand is famous for its incredible scenery, world-class wine, friendly locals, rare wildlife, and of course, sheep. Lots and lots of sheep.

Odds are, if you’re visiting New Zealand you’ll likely visit major cities, like Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and explore some of the locations used in major motion pictures like The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. What you might not do is visit rural New Zealand, and I don’t blame you – unless you have a vehicle and enjoy driving on the left-hand side of the road, getting around this largely rural nation can be challenging! So today I’m going to do the driving for you, and take you to a small town much like many other small towns in New Zealand, my father’s hometown, for a slice of rural kiwiana. Welcome to Te Aroha!

According to Wikipedia, Te Aroha has a population of just under 4,000 people. It’s located in the heart of dairy country, and agriculture is the primary industry, though tourism is growing in popularity. The town is part of the Matama-Piako district, with a population of 33,000 spread across 175,000 hectares. Nearly 60% of the population of this agricultural district lives in three main towns, Te Aroha, Matamata (aka Hobbiton!) and Morrinsville.

Te Aroha is about a 2 hour drive from Auckland, and about an hour from Hamilton. In other words, it’s a bit of a drive to any major city. Like many rural communities, the town is spread out, with a many residents living on nearby farms. It’s a sleepy, rural faming community, again like so many small towns across New Zealand and around the world. But like all small communities, it’s not without its special charms!

What to Do in Te Aroha

So, you’re driving through New Zealand and you’ve stopped in Te Aroha. Now what? What’s there to do in a town with a single main street? Surprisingly, quite a bit!

Visit the Hot Pools – Te Aroha is best known for its “domain” – a park that includes thermal hot pools and mineral water spas. Sit, relax, and unwind in this seismically active area, as people have done for over a hundred years.  Confession – I’ve been to Te Aroha four times, and I’ve never visited the hot springs! Next time, for sure!

Hike/Walk/Cycle – New Zealand is a nation of incredible natural beauty, thanks in no small part to the country’s small population – about 30% of the country is covered with forest, and just about 55% of the country is farmland – an incredible number! If you enjoy walking, hiking or cycling, there’s plenty to enjoy in this rural area. I actually hiked the mount years and years ago, when I was younger and fitter, and the scenery was incredible! If you’re longing for a break from busy urban life, a small town like Te Aroha might be just the ticket.

Grab a Coffee

As I’ve mentioned, Te Aroha is a (very) small town, and you won’t find a Starbucks along its high street, but don’t despair! You can still grab a great cup of coffee at local coffee shop Ironique Cafe – not to mention a delicious scone or a lovely pot of tea. New Zealand is actually a fantastic coffee country – order a flat white, you won’t regret it. Ironique Cafe is particularly notable for its fascinating wrought-iron decor, created by local metal artisan Adrian Worsley.

Listen to Birdsong

One of the most breathtaking aspects of rural New Zealand is the incredible sound of birdsong that wakes you every morning. I’ve never heard anything like it. The sheer volume and variety of bird calls is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, either at home or around the word. It’s one of the greatest joys of rural living. Being nestled into the side of a lushly forested mountain, Te Aroha is blessed with an incredible volume and variety of beautifully vocal birds.

So, the next time you’re driving down the freeway, whether in New Zealand, Canada, America, or wherever else your journeys take you, why not take a moment to follow a side road and explore a small town you might otherwise have passed by? You never know what you might find when you turn off the beaten path!