Do you admire old buildings? See Te Aroha’s Finest! While there are many other buildings of great interest, this information will lead you on a short trail around Te Aroha. Most of the buildings are private property and owners’ privacy should be respected. Either click on the sites of interest on the map below or scroll down for more information

While following the trail around Te Aroha you will go back in time through various phases of history. The notes give you a background to the buildings and their place in this remarkable town.

1. Te Aroha Domain

Te Aroha Hot Springs Domain is unique in that it is the only complete Edwardian Domain in New Zealand. It covers an area of 44 hectares, and includes Edwardian buildings, gardens, barbecue and picnic areas. A picturesque setting creates the perfect venue for a all to enjoy. Gazetted as a recreation ground in April 1881, the original 9 hectares containing the hot springs were bought under the Public Domain Act in 1882 with the administration designated to a locally run Domain Board. By this time there were 18 springs, 15 of them hot. The following century saw the area of the Domain increase to its present size as land adjoining the oridinal gift was bought from the original landowners, the Morgan and Lipsey families. This expanded the recreation resource of the Domain beyond the health giving springs to include also a network of walking tracks and indigenous forest. Today the Domain is managed by the Matamata Piako District Council.