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Ngaruawahia is a town situated in the North Island of New Zealand in the Waikato region. It is situated at the confluence of the Waikato and Waipa Rivers and is 20 kilometers north-west of Hamilton. The town of Ngaruawahia has a rich history and culture in Maori tradition.

History

The town was once the capital of a Maori kingdom of the Waikato tribes. It was here in 1858 that Chief Te Wherowhero was elected king as Potatau I. during the land wars. The royal residence at the two rivers was a source of danger. In 1863 the Maori strongholds at Meremere and Rangiriri were taken by the British gunboats and Ngaruawahia near Hamilton was abandoned. The king sought refuge with the tribes in King Country after the battle of Orakau.

The government surveyed the Maori land and then sold it. A new residence for the Maori kings was not established at Ngaruawahia even after peace was concluded in 1881. In 1920 the stronghold of Turangawaewae Pa was built after land on the river was bought back from the settlers. The town is one of the major Tourist Destinations in Hamilton. Most part of the royal residence was rebuilt by the Maori princess Te Puea Hernagi (1884-1952). One of the first buildings to be erected was the Arehurewa shrine for relics. In 1923 the Kiwikiwi meeting house was built.

The foundation of the Mahinarangi meeting house was carried out by the famous Maori politician Apirana Ngati. You can also see the Hamilton Attraction, the Turongo at Ngaruawahia. It was a residence for King Koroki, which was designed by Princess Te Puea. Turongo was built in 1933 and features a richly carved six-sided tower-like structure. You can see a large mural at the Kimiora Cultural Complex built in 1974. But the queen's palace is not open to the public as it can only be entered on special occasions.

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Tourist Attractions in Hamilton
Bridal Veil Falls	Kawhia Harbour
King Country	Lake House
Lake Karapiro	Left Bank Theatre
Matamata	Ngaruawahia
Pirongia Forest Park	Rangiriri
Taharoa	Te Aroha
Te Awamutu and District Museum	Te Puia Hot Springs
Victoria Street	Waikato Museum of Art and History
Waipa Kokiri Arts Centre