Meet our local Ngāti Karewa Ngāti Tahinga Hapū
our ancestral home
a special, beautiful and sacred place
Tainui te waka (Tainui is the canoe)
Putataka te Maunga (Putataka is the Mountain)
Waikato te Awa (Waikato is the River)
Waikato-Tainui te Iwi (Waikato-Tainui is the Tribe)
Ngāti Karewa Ngāti Tahinga te hapū (Ngāti Karewa Ngāti Tahinga is the sub-tribe)
Nestled at the end of the mighty Waikato River you’ll find a special, beautiful and sacred place. It is our ancestral home and the Waikato is our Awa (river). You can’t help but imagine an intriguing scene of waka (canoe) voyaging up the river as you look out across the shimmering water. As Māori legend has it, a ‘kato’ (pull) was seen from the ‘wai’ (water) leading to the sea, hence the name,’Waikato’, being gifted to this river. The Port Waikato Holiday Park is proudly owned by the local hapū (sub-tribe), the park occupies ancestral land of Ngāti Karewa Ngāti Tahinga, indigenous tangata whenua (‘people of the land’) to the Waikato region, decedents of the original voyagers who came to Aotearoa, we are your hosts!
share the stories of Te Puaha o Waikato
It is our pleasure to welcome you to our place
Imagine Chief Tahinga and his grandson Chief Karewa, kai-tiaki (guardians) of Port Waikato standing tall at the entrance of our Holiday Park, represented by the pou – the two carving representations you pass as you enter. It is our pleasure to welcome you to our place. Come, let us share the stories of Te Puaha o Waikato (Port Waikato) and feel the mauri (life force) of Papatuanuku (mother earth) as she whispers alluringly of our people’s mana (strength), whakaute (respect) of place and land, and aroha (love).
Nau mai haere mai.
News & Tips
Discover what’s happening around Port Waikato Holiday Park with our latest news, local tips, and travel inspiration. From beach days and fishing spots to family-friendly activities and seasonal updates, this is your go-to place for making the most of your stay on the wild west coast.
