Kawerau is known for its gardens and reserves. They’re all close to town and offer a perfect place for a sunny weekend walk. If you are thinking of hiring one of these parks or gardens for a ceremony or event, start by contacting the Council Office: office@kaweraudc.govt.nz
Parks
Prideaux Park
Address: Plunket Street, Kawerau
Our most central sports ground is located off Plunket Street. A mere five minute walk from the shopping centre, this picturesque reserve, with a variety of attractive, mature trees around the perimeter is used year-round for a wide range of sporting activities and community events. It is used for cricket, athletics, netball, outdoor bowls, marching, dog shows etc.
Facilities
- Athletics track (400 metres, 6 lanes)
- Long jump pits (sand)
- Netball and Basketball courts
- Cricket wicket (artificial)
- Pavilion with showers and toilets (available for hire)
- Motor home site
- Effluent Dump Site
Prideaux Park is the home of cricket and athletics in Kawerau. Adjacent to Prideaux Park there are bowling greens, a recreation centre, BMX and skateboarding track and our town’s swimming pool
Tarawera Park
Address: 36 Cobham Drvie, Kawerau
Our largest sports ground, Tarawera Park caters for a wide range of sporting codes including rugby, touch rugby, rugby league and soccer and is especially suitable for large events and tournaments.
Facilities
- Rugby fields
- Soccer fields
- Two club rooms leased to local organisations
- One practice area
- Multi purpose fields
- Ablution Block
- Toilet Block
- Field lighting available
Boyce Park
Address:Corner of Tamarangi Drive and River Road
Boyce Park was the first park to be established in Kawerau. The Kawerau Judo Club and other martial arts groups use the building on the reserve.
Walking tracks:
Monika Lanham Reserve
Address: Rotary Entrance on Fenton Mill Road, Kawerau
Monika Lanham Reserve has a range of walking tracks from 30 minute to 1 hour in duration. There is an eleven year programme in place to restore the indigenous vegetation cover in the Reserve.
Stoneham Walk
Address: Kawerau i-SITE one Plunket Street, Kawerau
A delightful short walk through Kawerau’s gardens and parks. Start at the Kawerau Walkways Sign opposite the i-SITE and walk to the Ruruanga Stream past the Bowling Greens. Cross the footbridge and turn left and walk through the grove of native trees to the Bell Street Bridge. Walk up to the road and cross Bell Street to enter Stoneham Walk, by the memorial to Roy Stoneham. Follow the track on the left-hand side of the stream past the Rose Garden, over the picturesque Stone Bridge, past two more bridges and on to the last bridge below Valley Road culvert.
Tarawera River Walk
Address: Boyce Park off River Road, Kawerau
A one hour walk along the river starting at Boyce Park on the corner of River Road and Tamarangi Drive. Walk from the park south behind the High School through the reserves to enjoy the views of the Tarawera River; carry on to the Waterhouse Street Bridge. You could continue from here to the Tarawera River and Forest Walk, or just return on the same track to Boyce Park.
Ruruanga Stream Walk
Address:Tamarangi Drive, Kawerau
This dedicated junior anglers’ stream is stocked regularly with trout and is also a popular swimming place. Its grassy banks provide restful picnic spots and the area attracts many species of birds, including tui. The walkway provides a link from Prideaux Park on Tamarangi Drive, to Stoneham Walk.
Playgrounds
Kawerau Skatepark
Address: Corner of Glasgow and Plunket Streets
Porritt Drive Playground
Address: 48 Porritt Drive, Kawerau 3127
Ryder Place Playground
Address: Kawerau 3127
Prideaux Park
Address: Plunket Street, Kawerau 3127
Sports Pavilions
Pavilion Toilets are available at all sports fields and keys for access to these facilities are available when applying for use of a sports field for a fee. Serviced rubbish bins are available for hire for events, in sets of five 240 litre bins. Casual use of the pavilions is welcomed for a small charge. For bookings or seasonal use, please email: office@kaweraudc.govt.nz
The Netball/Tennis Pavilion
Address: Plunket Street, Kawerau
Adjacent to the netball courts on Plunket Street, this is used by the Netball Club during the winter season. The tennis courts are open for use during the summer.
Prideaux Park Pavilion
Address: Plunket Street, Kawerau
Adjacent to the Bowling Club on Prideaux Park, this is used by the Harriers and Athletics Clubs and is available for hire on a casual basis
Tarawera Park Pavilion
Address: Tarawera Park, Kawerau
Kawerau’s largest sports field is used for rugby, soccer, touch and league. It has a set of changing rooms for teams using the park which is available for hire. A great venue for large sports tournaments