Discover Awahuri

Awahuri brings together a layered local history and a rural landscape. One notable historic landmark is Highden: the estate south of Awahuri combines architectural influences and religious buildings with an important role in Marist history. Te Iwa Tekau tells another chapter in the area's story. Travellers who want to explore historic places and landscapes together will find a range of themes to shape their own journey of discovery in Awahuri.

Highden: Country Estate, Architecture and Marist History

Highden was completed around 1897 and designed by Frederick de Jersey Clere as a country estate for W. W. Johnston. The main house is a Queen Anne-style building with a tower. Its design brings together elements by Clere and Charles Tilleard Natusch—two architects whose contributions together shape the house's architectural identity. Highden is listed as a Category 1 Historic Place. This protected status is as much a part of the estate's character as its building history.

The protected area also includes a chapel and the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. The chapel was built in 1956 and the grotto in 1936. In the grotto, a white statue of Our Lady of Lourdes stands on a raised plinth; the grotto also bears the Marist coat of arms.

The estate's religious history extends beyond its architecture: Highden was the first permanent Marist novitiate in Oceania. Those interested in architectural history can view the estate as a combination of main house, chapel and grotto; those more interested in the history of religious communities will find another perspective in its role as a novitiate. These themes give a trip to Awahuri a specific historical focus.

Te Iwa Tekau and the History of Awahuri

Another important historic site was the large marae Te Iwa Tekau. It stood on the eastern bank of the Oroua River near Awahuri and was built for the visit of the Māori King Tawhiao. The visit took place in 1883. Te Iwa Tekau is therefore linked to a specific event and a particular place in Awahuri's history.

The meeting house was destroyed in the great storm of 1936. It is therefore part of local history as a lost building, not a surviving house. Together, the history of the marae and that of Highden tell of different cultural and historical contexts in Awahuri. Travellers interested in Māori history can focus on Tawhiao's visit; architecture and Marist history offer another focus through Highden.

Farmland, Bush and Wetlands

Highden lies south of Awahuri amid farmland and is surrounded by small patches of native bush. This describes the estate's landscape setting: a farming environment and smaller areas of native bush. It complements the building history with a view of the landscape in which Highden is situated.

Wetlands are also among Awahuri's distinctive natural features. Carex sinclairii occurs here and is considered regionally rare. The species lives almost exclusively in wetlands with fluctuating water levels. The Awahuri area with fluctuating water levels existed before the introduction of European agriculture; however, whether it can be considered a wetland has been disputed. Centipeda minima also occurs in Awahuri. Its presence supports the classification of the habitat there as a temporary wetland.

Those interested in nature can learn about these plants and their habitats as a complement to the historical themes. Awahuri is therefore about more than buildings and local history: it is also about the distinctive features of a habitat shaped by fluctuating water levels.

Planning Your Trip

If you are travelling through Awahuri on State Highway 3, turn southwest onto Green Road to reach Highden. The entrance is on the northwest side of Green Road, before the intersection with Taipo Road. A large masonry gateway bearing the name Highden marks it. This description provides practical directions; by itself, it says nothing about access or opportunities to visit the site.

These facts offer different starting points for these interests without combining them into a single route.

Find more local pages on Himatangi Himatangi, Halcombe Halcombe, Apiti Apiti and Feilding Feilding.

For the broader travel overview: Manawatu District.