What’s On
Check out the latest community events and classes we’re running at the Waihi Academy
Learn and share events
Connect and learn from peers through these interactive knowledge-sharing sessions that explore a range of wellbeing topics, all with the aim to support a growth & positive mindset that can help navigate life's ups and downs.
These sessions are free community events organised by a third party partner, and you can find a list of their upcoming events and sign up for these sessions directly on their website.
Waihi Vegetarian Festival
2026 date to be announced soon!
The Waihi Vegetarian Festival is an annual food festival we’ve been running since 2016. It’s a free community event to bring people together for a great day out with lots of delicious food and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates on the event.
Explore past events at Waihi Academy
Tea Ceremony Workshop
School Camp
Community Wellness Day
Waihi Vegetarian Festival
Bonsai Workshop
Seasons of Art
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!