About the Awhitu Community
A giant sand dune. A place of history and heritage, arts and adventures, a source of food, fibre and fun. A place with unique landforms, special plants and birds, wild winds, gentle wetlands and sea - the sea, always the sea.
One meaning of Awhitu is 'longing to return'. Many people have loved this place and come to live here. Ngaati Te Ata are the traditional people - mana whenua - of the area. Settlers from the British Isles - missionaries and farmers, loggers and gum diggers, cheesemakers and shopkeepers arrived in the mid nineteenth century.
Today there are farmers, artists, builders, writers, teachers, musicians and technology experts - people of all kinds from many different cultures. Perhaps you too will make this your home. There are lots of strong community groups and growing economic development in the area.
Eating
There are a number of restaurants on the Peninsula such as Agave restaurant at Karioitahi offering fine cuisine with superlative views of the Tasman sea and sunsets. Open on weekends.
Orua Bay Bird Park offering teas and lunches served in beautiful surroundings. Aviaries with a wide variety of exotic birds. Open weekends and holidays.
Awhitu Golf Club offers top value meals. Open Friday evenings only. Families welcome.
Bhanas Takeaways/General Store in Matakawau offering takeaways Wed-Sun with the store open 7 days a week.
Shopping
The main service town for the Awhitu area is Waiuku and has all the stores normally found in a country village as well as a large New World Supermarket. There are the Friday night markets, which are very popular and sell homegrown food and homemade goods, including locally produced wine and cheese.