Here we embrace and celebrate popular Kiwi Culture (“Kiwiana”) – the icons, heroes and heritage that make us uniquely ‘Kiwi”. Come laugh a little while you relive those childhood memories.

You'll find out in one visit what makes Kiwis different and interesting. For fellow-Kiwis it's an opportunity to re-discover the ‘characters’ in our history - Aunt Daisy, Barry Crump, Ches'n'Dale - and our past and present heroes like Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir Colin Meads, Bruce McLaren, the ANZACs and the All Blacks.

Come learn and laugh. Remember those nostalgic childhood days when life seemed simpler with Saturday matinee movies, cricket in the back yard of the Quarter Acre Section or school days with warm school milk!

Otorohanga's 25 Kiwiana displays in the Ed Hillary Walkway (and nearby shop windows) feature everything from Buzzy Bee, Marmite, Pavlova and Weetbix to No.8 Wire, the Kiwi, Sheep and the Farm Dog. We've also commissioned Kiwiana murals and sculptures that are now part of the streetscape. Even our Public Toilets are an amusing tribute to “Kiwiana”!

To complete your “Kiwiana” experience, a visit to the world-famous Otorohanga Kiwi House & Native Bird Park is a ‘must do’. Here you can see real kiwi, plus NZ’s best selection of native birds and reptiles.

Kiwiana aside, Otorohanga has a great choice of shops, cafés and places to stay.

You’ll find Otorohanga in the central North Island:

• 2 hours south of Auckland
• 45 minutes south of Hamilton
• 15 minutes north of Waitomo
• 1½ hours west of Rotorua
• 1½ hours northeast of Taupo.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

[Otorohanga] “(often called 'Oto' by locals) is a friendly, easy-going farming community and the perfect example of the Kiwi icon that is the one street town... [it’s] decorated with murals and displays of other Kiwiana, including the All Blacks, sheep, Maori carvings, gumboots, Anchor butter and pavlova." (Lonely Planet 2006).

"Just wanted to mention that this is such an awesome website about New Zealand. I've spent 19 years living in this country yet learnt so much about Kiwiana on this site! Thanks Heaps." – Matt