There is so much to see and do in Piha. The community out here is vibrant and caters to a wide variety of interests. Piha has a permanent population of around 1,070 residents as of June 2024 (and growing) which doubles in summer time.
Originally a Maori settlement, from Te Kawerau a Maki, Europeans discovered Kauri and set up a mill here which ran until the 1920’s. The field and the old Mill Camp are still in use at the end of Glenesk but for more recreational and sports purposes away from the main hub and tourists.
Down Beach Valley Road heading towards the beach, you will find the Piha Surf Club which continues a tradition of good eats, drinks and music.
Up the road towards the North Head the Barnet Hall stands proud. Built in the 1950’s with funds donated by Frank Barnett, sited on land generously gifted to the community by the Waygood family, Barnet Hall is the site of community meetings and a variety of classes and groups. Its is right next to United Piha Surf Lifeguard’s Club and houses our Playgroup and Play School and the community fair on Labour Day.
The Hub of Piha, where our office can be found, really does have the feel of a community centre. It has the community Library which is run by local volunteers, Aryah (pronounced Ari-Aye) Restaurant which will delight your tastebuds as well as the Piha Store for those essentials you missed over the hill, Piha’s Post Office for those secure deliveries to your new home and the West Coast Gallery, with its pride of local artists next to the Piha Fire Station. There is a small kids playground, a tennis club and the Piha Bowling Club which also doubles as a music venue and restaurant.