A park was established on Gladstone Street in Hāwera in 1924 by a group of residents who planted many trees and formed a small lake.
In 1925-6 L A Taylor, G S Watts, J Garnett and C M Haggett applied to take control of the area which was then named Naumai Park.
Control of the park reverted to the Borough Council in 1936, by which time a large number of native trees had been planted.
When the Hawera Hospital - established in 1894 just to the north on Gladstone Street - was closed and a new complex opened in Hunter Street in 1927, the Hospital Board presented the hospital gates & pillars to the park and they were erected at the entrance in 1932.
(The Gladstone Street hospital was for many years after a retirement home, Ngahuru.)
In 1964 a plaque to the founders of the park was unveiled at the gates.
Plaque Inscription
Naumai Park
This plaque recognises the good
citizenship of
Messrs L. A. Taylor, G. S. Watts
J. Garnett and C. M. Haggett
whose voluntary work over
many years from 1925
resulted in the establishment
of this park
1964
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