After many disastrous fires in Hāwera's early history and a particularly devastating fire in 1912, insurance companies called for better fire fighting resources for the town. It was felt at the time that it was not possible to generate enough water pressure from the gravity supplied system from the Kāpuni Stream, so a decision was made to instead build a water tower. The tower was constructed in 1914 and despite developing a list after a strong earthquake a month after it was constructed (which was later rectified) it has become a landmark in the district.
Documents
Hawera Water Tower brochure, published by the South Taranaki District Council, 2004
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