Awakeri | |
|---|---|
Locality | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 38°00′S 176°54′E / 38.000°S 176.900°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Whakatāne District |
| Ward | Rangitāiki General Ward |
| Community | Rangitāiki Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Whakatāne District Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.22 km2 (3.56 sq mi) |
| Population (2018 Census)[2] | |
| • Total | 291 |
| • Density | 32/km2 (82/sq mi) |
Awakeri is a village located southwest of Whakatāne in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located in a farming and fruit-growing area, has basic amenities and a primary school for students aged 5 to 13, and is best known for nearby hot springs.
Awakeri is located at the junction of State Highways 2 and 30 on the route of SH 2 from Edgecumbe to Tāneatua and the route of SH 30 from Whakatāne to Te Teko, and the two highways run together briefly through the village.
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "ditch" or "trench" for Awakeri.[3]
The Taneatua Branch railway line also passes through the town, it was disused, however a tourist rail operator has recently leased a section of the branch line from KiwiRail and is opening a rail cart operation. Passenger train services ran through Awakeri and were provided by the Taneatua Express train from 1928 until 7 February 1959, when the steam-hauled carriage train was replaced by an 88-seater railcar service that terminated before Awakeri, in Te Puke. A private railway operated by the CHH Whakatane Mill used to run from Awakeri station to the mill at Whakatāne. The line (now closed and lifted) used to run alongside State Highway 30, including along the front of the petrol station forecourt at Awakeri.