District Park Names

This reserve surrounds the man-made lake constructed by the Matamata County Council in 1974/75. The name moananui means big water.

The development of the lake surrounds began with the construction of car parks and tree planting. Local service clubs became involved with the construction of bridges, pagodas, picnic areas, paths, playground equipment, a paddling pool and retaining walls. Council is fortunate to enjoy the support of volunteer labout in the community with Council covering the capital and material costs.

In recent years a walkway has been constructed around the lake and the lake itself refurbished. The Friends of the Lake local community group was established in 2015 to work alongside the Parks and Reserves team in managing the Reserve by being involved with planting sessions, providing suggestions for enhancing the Reserve and informing Council of any issues within the Reserve.

Located: Arawa Cres/Maraetai Rd, Tokoroa

David Foote Park

This reserve takes its name from David Foote, a long-standing member of the Matamata County Council 1971-75, and the Tokoroa Borough Council. Mr Foote, formerly a South Waikato District Councillor, owns Footes Furnishings and has lived in Tokoroa since 1955. For many years he was Chairman of the Tokoroa Borough Council Parks and Reserves Committee and has strongly supported the development of reserves for many years.

Located: Mossop Rd, Tokoroa

Hassall Gardens (Mannering/Logan Street)

These gardens are named after Jim Hassall who lived in Tokoroa from 1926 to 1994. Mr Hassall was particularly interested in schools and road safety. He served as a Borough Councillor for many years and along with his wife, was a stalwart member of the Red Cross. Mr Hassall was a keen local historian.

Located: Mannering/Logan Streets, Tokoroa

James Higgins Park (Princess Street/Beatrix Avenue)

This park was named after Jim Higgins MBE, who was the Mayor of Tokoroa from 1966-1979. Mr Higgins steered Tokoroa during its years as a County Borough and its difficult passage to autonomy. He was drawn into Tokoroa politics through his interest in the town's Parks and Reserves Policy. He became a member of the County Town Committee in 1961. Persuaded at the last minute to stand as Town Committee Chairman in 1965, he was elected to that position. This was in the interval between the first and second readings of the Tokoroa Town Empowering Bill. When the Bill became law, Mr Higgins became Mayor of New Zealand's first County Borough and, at 34, was the youngest Mayor in the country.

He was a strong advocate of Tokoroa's welfare in the subdivision funds dispute in 1973, which was finally resolved in 1977. He was Mayor of Tokoroa Borough during its first four years of independence.

Located: Princess St/Beatrix Ave, Tokoroa

Dunham's Park

Dunham's Park is named after George Dunham, a Matamata County Councillor from 1941 to 1956. Mr Dunham was involved with the growth of Tokoroa in many ways. He was the first Chairman of the Tokoroa County Town Committee, took part in plans to set up a newspaper in the town, and supervised state housing in Tokoroa in the early years. He resigned from Matamata County Council in 1956 over a question of his freedom to report Kinleith rates discussions back to the County Town Committee. One of Tokoroa's farming pioneers, Mr Dunham came to the District in 1933. He became a Tokoroa Riding representative on the County Council in 1941, and continued in that position until 1956. For seven of those years he was Deputy Chairman.

Located: Corner Sloss Road/State Highway 1, Tokoroa

Strathmore Park

This park takes its name from the Strathmore District in Scotland and was named by Scottish-born, Sir David Henry. The Tokoroa mill (formally called Kinleith) was named by David Henry, the then director of the mill, in recognition of the Kinleith Paper Mill on the waters of Leith near the Pentland Hills and Edinburgh in Scotland.

This park is the main venue for soccer in the District and homeground to the Tokoroa Athletics Football Club.

Located: Strathmore Dr, Tokoroa

Tokoroa Memorial Sportsground

The Tokoroa Memorial Sportsground is named in honour of the "fallen" during the Second World War. This park was extended by the Agricultural and Pastoral (A&P) Association in 1968, when it donated seven acres of land to the Matamata County Council. The donation was on the understanding that the A & P Show could have its use, and that of the adjoining Memorial Sportsground recreation reserve, for one week each year at no cost, to hold their annual show.

It is recorded that these seven acres were originally donated to the A & P Association on 18 June 1957, as a gift from Virginia Mossop. Hence, seven acres of the present Sportsground was indirectly a gift from the Mossop family to the local people.

The Tokoroa Memorial Sportsground is home to the South Waikato Sport and Events Centre.

The sportsground is the main venue for rugby and league; and hosts touch, soccer, netball, tennis and other events like dog agility shows.

Located: Mossop Rd, Tokoroa

Jim Currie Park

This park is privately owned by OJI Fibre Solutions and is open to the public. It was originally established by Carter Holt Harvey at the entry to Kinleith. It was named after Mr Jim Currie, Director of Forest Products (Kinleith), who was appointed after Sir David Henry left.

Located: State Highway 1, Tokoroa

Te Waihou Walkway

The Te Waihou Walkway offers people a five kilometre walk through lush pastureland alongside the Waihou River. Visitors can view Te Puna (Blue Spring), famous for the bottled water, "Pump", which is sold commercially throughout Australasia. The crystal-clear water flows through green pasture and surges through two sections of rugged gorge. The completed walk allows otherwise unavailable public access to amazingly blue pristine waters. Historical sites, and significant geological features wrought by ancient volcanic action are major features. The walkway was officially opened by the Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Helen Clark in April 2000.

UPDATE: Access to Te Waihou Walkway/Blue Spring from Whites Road end is CLOSED due to a landslip and significant traffic management issues (at Whites Road end). The Leslie Road end of the track is currently open, with the Whites Road entrance to re-open in early 2025.

Located: Whites Rd, Putāruru