The King Country Region

The King Country Region in New Zealand is located to the west of North Island. King Country Region shares the border with Kawhia Harbor and the town of Otorohanga in the north; on its south it has upper reaches of the famous Whanganui River and Hauhungaroa and Rangitoto Ranges in the east. It is a hilly country and most of the King Country is a large mass of forests.

King Country was named after the warrior Chief ‘King Tawhiao’ during the ‘New Zealand Land Wars’. He had strong following and led a resistance against European coveting their land. King Country Region is a thinly populated area and comprises of small townships. There are no large towns or cities here. Te Kuiti in the north and Taumarunui in the south are the most popular townships of the region.

The boundaries to King Country Region were defined for the first time in 1884. There was strong pressure from Europeans to colonize south of the Waikato confiscation boundary. It was an imperative action because the region was coming in the path of a proposed railway road linking Auckland and Wellington; the two major cities of New Zealand.

Weather in general is extremely variable all through New Zealand. But the north however has warm humid weather. New Zealand has one of the highest UV (Ultra Violent) ratings in the world. The clean environment in the regions of New Zealand makes the sun extremely harsh. New Zealand sun can burn even on a cloudy day.

The rich history and colonial past makes King Country Region a land of myths, stories and legends. The alluring beauty makes this land of contrasts even more fascinating. From the magical underground Waitomo Glowworm Caves, to the harbors of Kawhia and Aotea, King Country Region is an experience of a lifetime. World renowned Waitomo Glowworm caves are the tourists’ attraction all year round. Kawhia is named after the King Tawhiao, who led the independent movement in 1800s to resist hostility of Maori land. Kawhia offers great outdoor activities like heritage cruises, horse trekking, kayaking, natural hot pools and 4WD adventures.

The King Country is a unique blend of culture, history and natural heritage. You can have the adventure of your life by exploring the off beaten tracks and eco wonderlands of the region. Besides Kiwis hospitality, the magnificent harbors and rivers keep the tourists enthused and occupied during their visit to King Country Region.