The town also boasts two beautiful parks, walkways and reserves to enjoy. A number of private gardens are open to the public during the popular Taranaki Rhododendron Festival which rubs the first week of November each year. The Water Tower was completed in 1914 to supply water for the towns fire fighting purposes. Later in the month of the completion a sudden earthquake caused it to list 2 feet toward the south. To correct this the lower side of the tower was anchored with a large block of concrete and as the tanks were filled the fault was reduced to about 3 inches.
Visitors can climb to the top to view the wonderful surrounding area.
This park has it's beginnings in 1875 when the Hawera Water Tower Board set aside a 28 acre section as a recreational reserve. From there the park has become a very attractive and well kept facility in the district. If you enjoy a relaxing walk, the children want to play or just want to sit back and smell the roses, King Edward Park has something for everyone. Tahiti Museum is widely acclaimed as the best private museum in the country, this must be viewed while in the area. European land wars to the struggles and setbacks of an infant dairy industry.