Weber, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Weber
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Waihi Falls
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 Weber
Location in North Island
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| Territorial authority | Tararua District |
Weber is a small village, also called a hamlet, located on the east coast of New Zealand. It's about 28 kilometers (17 miles) southeast of Dannevirke. This quiet place was named after Charles H. Weber, a surveyor from Germany who worked in the area. He passed away in 1886 during a surveying project.
Weber is just off the old State Highway 52. This road is a beautiful route for tourists. It connects Waipukurau and Eketāhuna. The road also passes by Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu, which has the longest place name in the world! Not far from Weber, you can find the lovely Waihi Falls.
Weber is directly opposite Madrid, the capital city of Spain. This means if you dug a straight tunnel through the Earth from Weber, you would come out in Madrid!
Contents
History of Weber
How Weber Began
Weber started in the late 1800s. It was an important stop for coaches pulled by horses. These coaches traveled to and from the coast. Weber was chosen because it was about how far a team of six horses and a coach could travel in one day.
Weber's Early Days
Around the year 1900, Weber was a busy little community. It had its own police station with a jail cell. There was also a big hotel, several shops, and a post office. Today, Weber has a church, a school, a pub, a fire station, a community center, and homes.
In 1897, a guide called Wises index described Weber. It said Weber was in Hawke's Bay, on the Ākitio River. You could get there by train to Dannevirke. Then, a coach would take you the rest of the way. The area was good for farming and sawmilling. People also enjoyed hunting. The Waihi Falls were a popular attraction, reached by horseback.
The Mother's Day Earthquake
In 1990, a big earthquake happened near Weber. The local ground conditions made the earthquake feel even stronger than it was. People in the area remember it as the "Mother's Day earthquake." This is because it happened on Mother's Day.
Remembering War Heroes
During the two World Wars, many men from Weber bravely served. Sadly, a large number of them did not return home. Weber has a special war memorial to remember these heroes. In 2010, the first ANZAC parade in 50 years took place in Weber. This parade honors soldiers from Australia and New Zealand.
Weber School
Weber School is a public primary school. It teaches students from Year 1 to Year 8. Both boys and girls attend the school. As of February 2024, there are 37 students enrolled at Weber School.
