With a population of 10,800, Hawera is the second largest town in the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on the coast of the South Taranaki Bight, 75 kilometres south of New Plymouth.

The town's name of Hawera (Maori for burnt place) is apt, as the town suffered extensive blazes in 1884, 1888, and 1912. For this reason a large water tank was built close to the town, and it is now one of Taranaki's best-known landmarks.