Hāwera is the second-largest centre in the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island, with a population of 10,550.

Hāwera is 75 kilometres south of New Plymouth on State Highway 3 and 30 minutes' drive from Mount Taranaki.

State Highway 45 passes through Manaia, Ōpunake and Oakura en route to New Plymouth.

The Māori-language name Hāwera means "burnt place"; it arose as a result of fighting between two local sub-tribes, which culminated in the setting ablaze of the sleeping whare (house) of the tribe under attack.

[4] Spelled "Hawera" for most of its European history, a macron was added to the official name by the New Zealand Geographic Board in June 2019.

The Whareroa Dairy Factory, located approximately 4 km southwest of the township, was once the largest dairy-production site in the world.

[15] The complex is currently owned by Fonterra, having been built by the Kiwi Co-operative Dairies, whose original plant opened on the site in 1975.

During peak season, the complex employs around 1,000 staff members and processes up to 14 million litres of milk.

Exhibit provide educational insight into the historical lifestyles and structures of the indigenous community.

[17] The historical significance of such sites is exemplified by the Turuturu-Mokai complex, which is an archaeological treasure and provides a tangible connection to the region's past.

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngati Ruanui is a full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 99.