It was a young John Anderson Brown originally from Warkworth, Northumberland, England, who arrived in 1843 to discover our beautiful tranquil valley at the head of the Mahurangi River. His brother joined him a year later and together they built a dam to supply water for proposed industry. During the next ten years Brown purchased a few acres to build a sawmill, shipping much of it's timber to Auckland. During these years, Brown had been maturing a scheme to build a township. The survey was completed and he purchased a further 153 acres from the Crown in 1853 for 68 pounds seventeen shillings and named the village Warkworth after his hometown in Northumberland.

In the years to follow, the Mahurangi River and area saw much activity, a Flour Mill, Jam Factory, Boat Building, Orcharding and the manufacture of Hydraulic Lime. Nathaniel Daniel Wilson was responsible for and opened another lime works downstream in 1866 though it was not until 1884 when Warkworth produced the first Portland Cement ever to be manufactured in New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere. The ruins of the Cement Works still stand as a visitor attraction. There were many cutters, scows and steamers like the Hauiti, Kapanui and Jane Gifford utilising the river commercially. The towns principal streets were named after the noble families of Northumberland, for example, Neville, Percy, Bertram, Lilburn.

Today, the beautiful village of Warkworth is thriving and progressive, offering an increasing range of businesses, shops and services. Restaurants and cafés nestled near the river offer fine dining. Choose dishes created with local produce and fresh fish caught daily at nearby Leigh - absolutely superb! Complete your meal with award winning wines from the local developing wine industry.

Warkworth is the Hub of the wider district of Kawau Bay, Matakana, Leigh, Pakiri, Kaipara Flats, Puhoi, Wellsford, Snell’s Beach and Kawau Island.

Rich in Heritage, this beautiful natural environment with its sunny climate embraces some 12,000 residents.

Just one hour from downtown Auckland this easy drive is considered a convenient distance for city commuter and visitor alike.

Dome Valley
Glorit
Hoteo
Kaipara
Mahurangi
Puhoi
Tauhoa
Warkworth

Woodcocks

Algies Bay
Baddeleys Beach
Brick Bay
Buckeltons Beach
Campbells Beach
Goat Island
Kawau Island
Leigh
Martins Bay
Matakana

Omaha
Pt Wells
Sandspit
Scotts Landing
Snells Beach
Takatu
Ti Point
Whangateau

Pakiri
Port Albert
Tapora
Te Hana
Tomorata
Wellsford
Whangaripo
Wharehine

Leigh
Lifeways – Snells Beach
Livingway – Wellsford
Matakana
Pakiri
Tauhoa

Kaipara Flats

Warkworth
Wellsford
Tapora

Mahurangi College-Warkworth
Rodney College-Wellsford
Mahurangi Technical Institute -Warkworth

Bowling Clubs

Leigh
Omaha
Port Albert
Pt Wells
Snells Beach
Warkworth

Wellsford

Golf Clubs

Omaha
Tapora
Warkworth
Wellsford

Museums

Albertland – Wellsford
Bohemian - Puhoi
Warkworth

Ferry Services

Ferries operate from Sandspit to Kawau Island and other parts of the coast, including trips by arrangement to Auckland, Waiheke Island, Tiri Tiri Matangi Island, Great Barrier, and even Guided tours to Little Barrier Island.
Kawau Island ferry trips also run on schedule, and tours of the Island and Mansion House are regular features.

Phone Direct:

Reuben’s Water Taxi
09 422 8881

MV Matata Cruises
09 425 6169

Kawau Cat Cruises
09 425 8006