[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/uncategorized\/otorohanga-the-kiwiana-capital-of-new-zealand-is-a-rural-escapade-unlike-any-other\/#NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/uncategorized\/otorohanga-the-kiwiana-capital-of-new-zealand-is-a-rural-escapade-unlike-any-other\/","headline":"Otorohanga, the Kiwiana capital of New Zealand, is a rural escapade unlike any other","name":"Otorohanga, the Kiwiana capital of New Zealand, is a rural escapade unlike any other","description":"With the pandemic halting travel plans, many have turned to &#8216;virtual travelling&#8217; to sate their wanderlust. For those yearning to catch a glimpse of other pockets of the world, TheHomeGround Asia brings you on a journey in Through the Eyes&#8230; where we ask expatriates in Singapore what they love most about their home countries. In [&hellip;]","datePublished":"2021-06-09","dateModified":"2021-06-14","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/ler-jun-sng\/#Person","name":"Ler Jun Sng","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/ler-jun-sng\/","identifier":320,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/96c2c5ed54668ff02cc041326a58a56424181d9285b8f54cd192dd573e876ae5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/96c2c5ed54668ff02cc041326a58a56424181d9285b8f54cd192dd573e876ae5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"TheHomeGround Asia","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","width":640,"height":640}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1623238519795_jackson-currie-B_uzYcQgiLI-unsplash_1280x626.jpg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1623238519795_jackson-currie-B_uzYcQgiLI-unsplash_1280x626.jpg","height":626,"width":1280},"url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/uncategorized\/otorohanga-the-kiwiana-capital-of-new-zealand-is-a-rural-escapade-unlike-any-other\/","video":[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AlLKjKgV5So#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AlLKjKgV5So","name":"Waitomo's Lights  - Avatar in Real Life - 4k","description":"Waitomo is the centre of the universe for glow worms in New Zealand. With cave, boat and black water rafting tours, there are plenty of glow worm adventures. This time-lapse video was a made as a follow-up to our previous glowworm video \"Glowworms in Motion\" (http:\/\/bit.ly\/GlowwormsInMotion) which won the New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year - Timelapse award. We shot this one mainly for the love of spending time underground beneath the twinkling lights of glow worm galaxies. We initially thought the 60 hours spent in caves to make the first video would satisfy us but as we are finding out there is something addictive about underground photography. The more difficult the better. This one took 30 hours underground and over 3000 pictures were taken in that time. We hope you enjoy it!\n\nTo have an epic glowworm adventure yourself, head on over to http:\/\/bit.ly\/DiscoverWaitomo and check out all the cool options.\n\nTo read the story of how we first started filming glowworms check out this blog: http:\/\/bit.ly\/GlowwormTimeLapse\n\nThe story behind this video is here:http:\/\/www.stokedforsaturday.com\/2016\/03\/waitomos-lights-avatar-real-life\/\n\nSpecial thanks to Jenna for having the patience to spend hours underground with me and also Ilya Inov for subbing in for Jenna at one point to get the last sequences. Ilya may have actually enjoyed his 16 hours underground more than me. He posts his photography work here: http:\/\/bit.ly\/Ilya_Flickr\n\nAlso, a shout out to Mr. Glowworm Cave (Logan Doull) for making sure we didn't get lost underground and protecting us from the eels ;)\n\nAbout the Series:\nLiving a Kiwi Life is about a Canadian couple (me and Jenna) who have lived in Canada all our lives and made the decision to move to New Zealand having never gone there before. We quit our jobs, sold our houses and cars and left everything we knew to explore an unknown.\n\nStoked for Saturday Links:\nBlog: http:\/\/www.stokedforsaturday.com\nInstagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/stokedforsaturday\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/stokedforsaturday\nTwitter: https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/Stoked4Saturday\nSnapchat: @stoked4saturday\nMusic:\nbdProductions - Documentary Background (audiojungle.net)\n\nCameras used:\nCanon 5D Mark III http:\/\/bit.ly\/Canon5DMarkIIICamera\nCanon 6D http:\/\/bit.ly\/Canon6DCamera\n\nFor business inquiries and licensing email info@stokedforsaturday.com","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/AlLKjKgV5So\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/AlLKjKgV5So\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/AlLKjKgV5So\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/AlLKjKgV5So\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/AlLKjKgV5So\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2016-03-15T18:29:40+00:00","duration":"PT2M2S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AlLKjKgV5So","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCfvWn1dr4u5n6wa2vxs-tWQ#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCfvWn1dr4u5n6wa2vxs-tWQ","name":"Stoked for Saturday","description":"If you like adventure, the outdoors and living life to the fullest you've come to the right place :)\n\nWe all have to work in order to play. 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For those yearning to catch a glimpse of other pockets of the world, TheHomeGround Asia brings you on a journey in Through the Eyes&#8230; where we ask expatriates in Singapore what they love most about their home countries. In this installation, travel executive Anna Harlow reveals the wonders of her hometown, the seemingly rural Otorohanga in New Zealand.When we think of New Zealand, we may think of the idyllic, hilly landscape from Hobbiton, the place where author J.R.R. Tolkien\u2019s hobbits came to life in director Peter Jackson\u2019s movie series The Lord of the Rings. We may also think of the M\u0101ori, the indigenous people of New Zealand who continue to influence the island country\u2019s cuisine, culture and language. But very rarely do we think of visiting the small rural town of Otorohanga, ensconced in the Waikato region in the North Island of New Zealand.In the Waitomo Caves, glowworms turn on their bioluminescent tail to light up the dangling droplets of mucus they secreted to attract and trap insects. (Photo by Tom\u00e1\u0161 Mal\u00edk \/ Unsplash)Situated some 50 kilometres south of Hamilton, New Zealand\u2019s fourth most-populous city, Otorohanga is a thriving town with a small population size of approximately 3,200. Several highways intersect near Otorohanga, which makes it a popular spot to layover among seasonal roadtrippers. It is also home to a series of karst caves that are part of the Waitomo streamway system, known as the Waitomo Caves, where tourists flock every year to marvel at the caves\u2019 starry night-esque ceiling,\u00a0a phenomenon brought about by glow worms.\u201cIn general, New Zealand is good to visit throughout the year, but I would personally recommend Summer (January-April) as the climate is really pleasant then,\u201d says Anna Harlow, 32.\u00a0Mrs Harlow, who is a Travel Executive at luxury travel company Scott Dunn, grew up in a family of dairy farmers in Otorohanga. She moved to sunny Singapore in April 2019, following her husband\u2019s job relocation here. \u201cOtorohanga is also known as the \u2018Kiwiana capital\u2019 of NZ,\u201d she says.Sunset over Waikato, the region that oversees Otorohanga and Kawhia. (Photo courtesy of Anna Harlow)Kiwiana capital of New ZealandFor the uninitiated, Otorohanga is self-proclaimed as the Kiwiana capital of New Zealand. The term \u2018Kiwiana\u2019 is widely applied to objects, food, cultural icons, and even expressions that are unique to New Zealand and her people. From the buzzy bee children\u2019s toy to kiwi fruit, jandals (a type of flip flop) to pavlova, these artefacts tell a story of a 20th century New Zealand and often evoke a sense of national identity and nostalgia.How Otorohanga got its reputation as \u2018the Kiwiana capital\u2019 is nothing short of a brilliant marketing strategy. Following the establishment of New Zealand\u2019s first kiwi conservatory facility in 1971, which earned the rural town the moniker \u2018Kiwi Town\u2019, a brilliant marketer suggested extending the theme to celebrate all things uniquely Kiwi (or Kiwiana) in New Zealand.\u00a0\u201cToday, you can even visit Otorohanga Kiwi House, which is home to several native birds, including the kiwi,\u201d Mrs Harlow says. \u201cYou can get up close and watch the keepers feed them at certain times of the day too.\u201dAccording to Anna Harlow, pavlova and green-lipped mussels are dishes unique to New Zealand. (Source: Canva)When asked about dishes that are uniquely Kiwiana, Mrs Harlow suggests that first-timers feast upon green-lipped mussels and pavlova; the former is endemic to New Zealand&#8217;s coastline, and the latter is its national dessert.Packed full of anti-inflammatory properties, Omega-3 fatty acids and other vitamins, the former is a nutritious shellfish \u2013 discovered only in the late-60s by NASA scientists while embarking on a quest for natural cancer-fighting treatments \u2013 native only to New Zealand and is a staple among the indigenous M\u0101ori people.\u00a0The latter, meanwhile, is a sweet meringue cake topped with fresh fruit and cream made famous in the early &#8217;90s.Black sand beaches, hot springs and a Maori festival in KawhiaThe beaches in New Zealand are a study in contrast; some offer pristine white sand with balmy waves, while others boast glistening black sand and impressive surfs. But if anything, visitors ought to visit the geothermal shores of New Zealand to dig for themselves a hot pool in the sand and immerse in nature\u2019s &#8216;jacuzzi&#8217;.Anna Harlow at Ocean Beach with her jeep. (Photo courtesy of Anna Harlow)On the western coast of the North Island of New Zealand, or south of Otorohanga, lies Kawhia Hot Water Beach. While throngs of tourists would head over to the Coromandel Peninsula for its hot water beaches, Kawhia Hot Water Beach (also known as Ocean Beach) is an idyllic getaway known only by locals. Beyond the tussock-fringed hills and rugged coastline, a panoramic view of sparkling black sand and cobalt blue sea stretches as far as the eyes can see.\u201cHead over the sand dunes for low tide and you can dig your own hot pool on the Ocean Beach, don\u2019t forget the wine or your spade,\u201d Mrs Harlow suggests.\u00a0\u00a0The sleepy beachside town of Kawhia offers plenty of big fishing competitions where visitors can marvel at the haul from the fishermen. But nothing beats the Kai Festival (the word kai means \u2018food\u2019 in M\u0101ori) which takes place every February. \u201cYou will find mussels, hangi (the M\u0101ori method of cooking meat and vegetables under the ground with hot rocks and wet sacks), Maori bread or whitebait fritters there,\u201d Mrs Harlow says.\u201cLocal bands will come to play and it\u2019s free admission so that makes it great for everyone. While you are there, head to the museum which is full of history all about Kawhia.&#8221;There are several hot water beaches in New Zealand, where visitors can dig up their own hot water pools to soak their feet in. (Photo by Fotos593 \/ Shutterstock)Into the wildernessWhen she was younger, Mrs Harlow and her family would sometimes spend the weekend outdoors, going on a hike or trek around New Zealand\u2019s hilly or coastal landscapes.\u00a0\u00a0For starters, Mrs Harlow suggests visiting the coastal sunshine paradise near Mount Maunganui. Crowned as one of the top beaches to visit by TripAdvisor, the main beach has plenty to boast about.\u00a0In summer, the beach comes to life with surfers catching the waves, families with children going on a swim by the ocean, people suntanning or relaxing on the clear white sand, and hiking enthusiasts readying themselves to go on a challenge. Dozens of beachside cafes and restaurants line the shoreline, proffering simple street bites to seafood fiesta, where you will be spoilt for choice.The majestic view from the summit of Mount Maunganui. (Source: Canva)Situated over 230 metres from the sea, reaching the summit of Mount Maunganui, a now extinct volcano, is a challenge and not for the faint-hearted. And yet, the vantage point offers a gorgeous 360-degree view of the surrounding \u2013 including the Western Bay of Plenty, white sand coastline, and even Tauranga\u2019s city suburbs.\u201cMount Maunganui was our summer go-to throughout childhood,\u201d Mrs Harlow reminisces. \u201cIt\u2019s about a two-hour drive away over the Kaimai Range to the coast. There\u2019s plenty to do with a huge ocean beach on one side and a calm harbour on the other, it took us from babies up until teenagers.\u201dFrom the base to its summit, it takes about two hours to hike up and back down the now-extinct volcano, Mount Kakepuku. (Source: Canva)Some 20 kilometres north of Otorohanga lies Mount Kakepuku, another extinct volcano. One of many volcanoes that emerged two million years ago, Mount Kakepuku (whose name translates as \u2018swollen stomach\u2019) towers above several dairy farms and looks across other volcanic peaks.Mrs Harlow says: \u201cI would suggest Mount Kakepuku for the less fit amongst us, it is 449 metres to the top where you can see for miles over the Waikato farmlands. The track is new and in great condition and you can mountain bike on the lower part as well.\u201cYou will experience the New Zealand native flora and hear the local bird songs too,\u201d she adds.For those looking to bring a piece of Otorohanga or something Kiwiana home, Mrs Harlow suggests an All Blacks (the nation\u2019s famed men&#8217;s rugby union team) rugby shirt.\u201cWe\u2019re really big on rugby over there,\u201d Mrs Harlow adds, highlighting the famous M\u0101ori war dance performed by the All Blacks before their matches.\u201cIf you have children to buy for then go for the iconic Buzzy Bee! Prince William played with when he visited New Zealand as a baby with the late-Princess Diana and Prince William.\u201dAnna Harlow grew up in a family of dairy farmers in Otorohanga, New Zealand. (Photo courtesy of Anna Harlow)Despite being away from home for a long time, Mrs Harlow still thinks fondly of her hometown, where her parents and her two brothers and wives live a 10-minute drive from each other. On what she misses most, Mrs Harlow says wistfully: \u201cThe fresh country air and the quietness.\u201dFor someone who has been to many cities for work and leisure, Otorohanga is not just a home for Mrs Harlow; it is a welcoming respite from the hubbub of life.Join the conversations on TheHomeGround Asia&#8217;s\u00a0Facebook\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram, and get the latest updates via\u00a0Telegram."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Uncategorized","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/uncategorized\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Otorohanga, the Kiwiana capital of New Zealand, is a rural escapade unlike any other","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/uncategorized\/otorohanga-the-kiwiana-capital-of-new-zealand-is-a-rural-escapade-unlike-any-other\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]