Te Kuiti is the Maori name given to the area. In its original form of "Te Kuititanga", it literally means "the valley", "the squeezing in" or "the narrowing". Several marae are located in and around Te Kuiti, associated with Maniapoto hapū:
Te Kumi Marae and Te Korapatu meeting house are affiliated with Peehi and Rōrā
Mōtītī Marae and Ko te Hungaiti or Hapainga meeting house are affiliated with Kinohaku, Putaitemuri and Tauhunu
Te Piruru Papakainga Marae and Te Pukenui o Taonui meeting house are affiliated with Rōrā
Tāne Hopuwai Marae and Tāne Hopuwai meeting house are affiliated with Apakura
Te Tokanganui a Noho Marae and meeting house are affiliated with Rōrā
Tomotuki Marae and Parekatini meeting house are affiliated with Apakura, Parekaitini and Rōrā
Te Waipatoto Marae, and Waipatoto and Waipatoto Tuarua meeting houses, are affiliated with Kinohaku
Tourism
The "Shearing Capital of the World" contains the world's largest shearer, seven metres high. On 1 April 2006 the largest sheep show in the world took place here, with more than 2000 sheep. The carved Te :File:1880s Motakotako Marae.jpg|Tokanganui-A-Noho Meeting House was gifted to the local Maori people by Te Kooti, the most famous Maori Rebel leader of the 19th century. He was given sanctuary by the Chiefs of Maniapoto against the white colonial Government of New Zealand and under Maniapoto's protection carved one of the most famous and important late 19th century spiritual house in the north island.. This House is central to Te Kuiti's historical foundation, also referred to as the epicenter of the Rohe Pōtae.. "King Country"...In 1881 the last frontier was open to colonial settlers. The Tatsuno Japanese Garden is at the southern end of the main street. The Mangokewa reserve located 5 km south of Te Kuiti is a popular attraction for rock climbers, hikers, picnic goers, swimmers and trout fisherman in the region. A 'Revitalisation Project' for the NZHPT Category II listed Te Kuiti railway station was started in 2014 to provide for arts and crafts groups, an education centre, youth projects, historical displays and a meeting room. The Rail Heritage Trust describes the station as, "the finest remaining example of a standard class B station".
Geography
Limestone deposits and water have created the Waitomo Caves, northwest of the town, one of New Zealand's most-visited tourist locations. The town itself is located in a valley with many rich limestone deposits. The Manga-o-Kewa Stream runs through the valley and is a tributary of the Waipa River. Te Kuiti's hinterland consist mainly of farmland and limestone quarries. The land surrounding Te Kuiti has steep hilly relief which reflects the nature of the North King Country region. The climate of Te Kuiti is wet during the winter and dry during the late summer with an average of 1,450mm of rainfall each year.
Sport
Te Kuiti is the home of the Waitete Rugby Football Club and the King Country Rugby Union, both of whom are based at Rugby Park. The famous Colin Meads spent the entirety of his career with both Waitete and King Country. The town also has an association football club, Te Kuiti Albion Football Club, who play in the Deacon Shield tournament. They play their home games at Centennial Park where there is a small clubroom. The club colours are yellow and black striped shirts and black shorts.
Education
Te Kuiti has six schools:
Te Kuiti Primary School is a co-educational state primary school, with a roll of as of
Pukenui School is a co-educational state primary school, with a roll of.
Centennial Park School is a co-educational state primary school, with a roll of.
Tony Martin, Australia-based comedian and author, was born here.
All Black Sir Colin Meads lived in Te Kuiti. The auction of his farm in 2008 caused nationwide interest. A statue of Meads was unveiled in the town centre during the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, also drawing national interest, and Meads was present and spoke at the unveiling despite battling cancer, which he died from two months later.
Colin Meads's brother Stanley Meads also lived in Te Kuiti.
Les Munro, the last surviving pilot from the Dambusters air raid, was mayor for some years and has a street named in his honour.
