The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "blocked-up river" for Awapuni.

[3] Te Hotu Manawa Marae and its Tūturu Pumau meeting house are located in Awapuni.

It is also the location of Awapuni and Alexander Parks, and Rugby, Panako and Raleigh Reserves.

It features Riverdale, Ahimate and Paneiri Parks; the riverside Dittmer Drive Reserve includes a stopbank and walking track.

Dittmer Drive (which runs the bank of the river) has a stopbank, which is the first defence if there is a chance of flooding.

Maraetarata is the site of the ancient Awapuni Lagoon, upon which the racecourse is now situated.

The Awapuni Racecourse holds a number of nationally significant races, including the: In the past there were a number of race tracks in the region, such as Feilding and Marton, which have been closed and some of those Club's key races are now held at the Awapuni Racecourse,[11] thereby preserving their history such as the: The Awapuni Racecourse has a large function centre[12] and is a racehorse training centre used by a number of prominent horse trainers.

[17] Awatapu College is a state secondary school for Year 9 to 13 students,[18][19] with a roll of 820.