Heritage
Waimate District’s history reflects the stirring story of New Zealand’s colonial days, and the pioneers who milled the forests, developed the land into farms and built their towns on the edge of the wilderness.
The Cuddy. Built in 1854 for Michael Studholme, owner of Te Waimate Station.
Bushtown
Bushtown Heritage Park tells the story of Waimate’s pioneering settlers through the lens of the sawmilling industry. Bushtown has a working sawmill, miniature train and a growing collection of buildings being created to replicate Waimate as it was in the pioneering days.
To learn more click here.
Fossils
The Hunters Hills of the Waimate District are believed to be about 270 million years old. The base rock is greywacke, and it’s faulted along the steep eastern flank of the hills, generally tilting west. Like all of New Zealand, this land is still on the move.
To learn more click here.
Historic Sites
There are many fascinating sites of historical significance that have shaped the history of the Waimate District.
Take a tour around the Waimate District and visit the many historical sites which also make for fantastic photo opportunities. Check out the many statues and monuments, visit historic churches and buildings, and see reminders of our wheat milling history on Queen Street, where the Waimate silos, and the Empress Flour Mill still stand.
To learn more click here.
The White Horse
Waimate district’s rich agricultural history is celebrated by the iconic White Horse on the hill overlooking the town and coastal farmlands. The site is easily accessible by car, on foot, or mountain bike, and is a fantastic spot to take in the views east to the Pacific Ocean, and west to the mountains.
To learn more click here.
Waihao Marae
The name Waihao refers to an important food resource obtained from the river that has its beginnings in the upland country behind the hills, known as Te Tari Te Kaumira.
Māori here trace their lineage to Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe and Ngāi Tahu. To these people Waihao is their turangawaewae, their home. Kāti Mamoe migrated from the North Island in the sixteenth century and Ngāi Tahu arrived in the seventeenth century.
The Waihao marae hosts visitors on Waitangi Day and at other times by arrangement.
To learn more click here.
Waimate Museum & Archives
The Waimate Museum and Archives houses an impressive collection of 11 historic buildings - including the 1879 courthouse - that showcase over 100 years of architectural styles. One of New Zealand’s historic gems, this vibrant museum is unique in that it’s located in the town’s former courthouse. It is home to thousands of items and images telling the stories of Waimate district - from a tiny watch to a traction engine.
The collections include fossils and moa bones, medical equipment from the old Waimate Hospital, horse-drawn farm machinery, and a room full of clocks.
To learn more click here.