“Place of Hau” or perhaps “windy place”? That is \u014chau. This village and semi-rural community sits in the Horowhenua District. It lies in New Zealand’s Manawat\u016b-Whanganui region. \u014chau sits just south of Levin. State Highway 1 runs nearby.
\u014chau offers a glimpse into rural New Zealand life. Imagine a place where the pace slows. Life unfolds with the rhythm of the seasons. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage offers a translation. It says \u014chau means “place of Hau”. Another meaning could be “windy place”.
Once, the \u014chau railway station bustled with activity. It operated from 1886 to 1987. Most services stopped in 1971. Now, only memories remain of the trains. They carried passengers and goods through \u014chau.
The local Kikopiri Marae stands as a tribal meeting ground. It belongs to the Ng\u0101ti Raukawa hap\u016b. Ng\u0101ti Hikitanga and Ng\u0101ti Kikopiri gather here. In 2020, the government invested in upgrading Kikopiri Marae. This also included Kerer\u016b Marae. This created 48 jobs.
\u014chau is defined as a rural settlement. It covers 4.47 square kilometers. As of June 2024, the population was about 850. The population density is 190 people per square kilometer. \u014chau forms part of the larger \u014chau-Manakau statistical area.
The \u014chau community hall has a long history. It will celebrate its 125th jubilee next year. The \u014chau community hall committee plans a celebration for November 2025. They are also creating a book. It will record the hall’s history. The book is not just for the jubilee. It will remain for future generations. It helps them appreciate the community.
For a short time, the hall served as a schoolhouse. In 1907, a fire destroyed the \u014chau School. Classes were held in the hall until a new school was built in 1908.
Today, \u014chau School provides education for Year 1 to 8 students. As of November 2024, 157 students attend.
Lake \u014chau sits not far from here. Mike and Louise Neilson run the Lake \u014chau Lodge and \u014chau Snow Fields. They have operated the business since the mid 1980s. They share a passion for the landscape. They want to see its special environment preserved.
Lake \u014chau is cradled between mountain ranges. The \u014chau Range lies to the west. The Ben \u014chau range sits to the east. In summer, the weather is fine. The daylight hours are long. In winter, the snow is reliable.
While the area is known for the Ohau Snow Fields, there are stunning wilderness areas. You can explore them by walking, hiking, or biking. This is further up the valley or around the Lodge during the summer months.
Lake \u014chau Lodge is a great place to stay. It also makes a good base to explore the region. Enjoy a friendly, family atmosphere with excellent food and a fun, casual vibe.
\u014chau Snow Fields caters to all abilities of skiing and snowboarding. Lake \u014chau is the smallest of three roughly parallel lakes. They run north-south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin. The others are Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo. It covers 60 square kilometers.
Lake Ohau Alpine Village sits on the western shore of the Lake. Lake \u014chau offers a blend of natural beauty. It has a rich history. It is a testament to the spirit of rural New Zealand.