About Tirau

Tirau is a small attractive township in a rural setting, with the Kaimai ranges as a backdrop.
It has a population of approx 800 people.

It is situated within the South Waikato District, as are the towns of Putaruru and Tokoroa.
Other towns in close proximity are Matamata and Cambridge.

Less than an hours drive from Tirau are the cities of Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga, and the popular beach resort of Mt Maunganui.

For a small town Tirau has a large variety of local shops which attract tourists and motorists.

The town includes

  • A War Memorial Hall
  • A six classroom Primary School
  • Community Swimming Pool
  • Tennis Courts
  • 18 hole Golf Course
  • Also many businesses, which service the surrounding local community

Fonterra operates a Casein and lactalbumin Dairy Factory in the town.

With a good climate and surrounding fertile flat to rolling landscape, this an ideal farming area. It is used predominantly for dairy farming, although there are other forms of farming such as sheep, deer, maize, horses and tree plantations.

A number of  lovely country gardens and home stays can also be found in the rural area.

Just a short drive away from the centre of Tirau is the popular Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel and Golf Course, and an Early New Zealand Museum located 3 kilometres on the main Rotorua Road.
A popular river walk is the Te Waihou Walkway, to the acclaimed crystal clear Blue Spring. The beautiful Waikato River Trails project begins slightly North of Tirau with the Karapiro track.

See this blog by Helen Foster about Tirau.