Hmm, Ngaruawahia..... I've had mixed reactions from some Kiwis about living here. It appears to have a reputation of being a bit 'rough' but, to be honest, we've never had any problems, although we're actually just outside the main town, out in the wopwops. It is a heavily Maori populated area and it has it's issues, but the town centre recently had a grant awarded to improve its appearance and it looks really nice now. There are a distinct lack of facilities and I tend to do all my shopping, etc in Hamilton, but then I'm always down that way anyway, for the school run, etc. In some respects, it's quite a revered place because there is a very important Marae just down the road from us - Turangawaewae Marae, which is the headquarters of the Maori King Movement (just out of interest, you can read a bit about it here:
Turangawaewae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) - so it's quite a significant place in the Maori culture.
Anyone who's not a tall poppy will fit right in, even a Scotty boy
