About Waihi Academy

Established in 2015. Waihi Academy is a unique conference and events venue in Waihi.

As a not-for-profit organisation that is passionate about education and community, our vision is to help build stronger, more connected communities by providing learning and collaborative spaces at affordable prices.

We have hosted a wide range of events over the last ten years including conferences, workshops, team-building events, school camps and wellness retreats. We also support schools in their enrichment curriculums by running leadership and cultural programmes to provide students with more opportunities to learn new skills outside of classrooms. 

Our Values

We want everyone to enjoy our wonderful spaces and feel welcome when they visit the Waihi Academy. We have a set of core values that guide us on how we operate and how we interact with everyone.

Ako | Learning

Life is a process of learning and we can learn a lot from others when we take the time to come together to  deepen our understanding of others as well as ourselves. At Waihi Academy, we want to create a serene and supportive environment that fosters connections and learning opportunities.

Manaakitanga |
Kindness and Respect

Through manaakitanga we can build and foster good relationships with others. At Waihi Academy we believe it's important to show kindness, empathy and respect and towards all people and the natural world - starting with ourselves.

Whānau | Family 

We want everyone to feel welcome and like family when they're with us. At Waihi Academy, we make sure everyone feels included and cared for and that they feel the aroha in everything we do - from the food we cook to the programmes we run

 

Getting Here

Located at 132 Landlyst Road, Waihi Academy conveniently sits just outside of the town of Waihi where the Waikato meets the Western Bay of Plenty at the south end of the stunning Coromandel Peninsula.

Waihi Academy is found in the golden triangle between Auckland, Hamilton, and Waihi. 

Waihi Academy, by road, to:

  • Auckland – 2 hours

  • Hamilton – 1.5 hours

  • Tauranga – 1 hour

  • Whiritoa – 15 minutes

  • Waihi Beach – 15 minutes

  • Waihi – 5 minutes

Only 2km to the coastline, with walking tracks from the Academy to the beach taking around 1 hour

Why Waihi

Waihi is a small town with a population of around 6000 permanent residents. Nearby Waihi Beach has a population of less than half of this, but it blossoms to up to 25,000 over the summer – the area is a hot destination for tourists and holidaymakers. 

Waihi and the surrounding area have a rich gold mining history dating back to the 17th century. Today, most mining in the town takes place underground. In fact, Waihi Academy is one of the few places in Waihi where mining is not actively taking place under foot.

If you venture into town, you’ll find mining relics all over, from the pumphouse at the top of town (which used to pump water out from under the ground before modern dewatering systems), to the steel balls that sit on the roundabouts (which once were used to crush rock so ore could be obtained), to the museum (check out the jars of human thumbs - true!) and the open cast pit that sits right next to the town – no wonder Waihi is referred to as ‘New Zealand’s Heart of Gold!’

There is plenty to do in Waihi, too. You could check out the Gold Discovery Centre to learn about mining in Waihi, including the ‘Get Inside the Fence’ experience, which is a tour through the active mine site. Or you could hire a bike from here and hit the Hauraki Rail Trail and catch the historic Goldfields train from Waikino (after a stop at the famous Waikino Tavern) back into town.

Head north just out of town and you’ll find yourself between Waihi and Paeroa (home of the famous L&P) in the beautiful Karangahake Gorge. Filled with old mining relics and walks that range from 10 minutes to hours, the gorge follows the Ohinemuri River which breaks the Coromandel and Kaimai Ranges and is a must-stop, even if just to cross the swing bridge. Hang a right on the way back to Waihi and you’ll find yourself at Dickies Flat, a campsite next to the Waitawheta river, known for its swimming holes (bring a torch). If you’re more into beaches than hills and waterholes, check out the tracks to Orokawa and Homunga or Anzac Bay. 

There are plenty of great eateries in and around Waihi to get a bite at during your travels. Make sure you check out some of the unique shops Waihi has, too – from Spikes Bricks and Models, a Lego Museum, to jeweller Diamonds on Seddon, or Laughing Pottery, where you can pick up a piece made with sand from Waihi Beach, the town has it all.

Whether it’s a strenuous hike, a shopping spree, or a chill swim you’re after, the area has it all – so come visit us in Waihi!