Simon's A-Z: Kawakawa

This place was established as a coal mining town at about the same time other settlements were springing up because of their gold deposits. No gold here though, and not a lot of coal, as it turned out. What there was, was an abundance of Kawakawa trees. The plant has medicinal benefits, mainly for cleansing and pain relief. Health shops now market it various forms including as a tea. The township was given the same name although it was not originally in the location we find it today.