Awakeri is a village located southwest of Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located in a farming and fruit-growing area, has basic amenities and a primary school[1] for students aged 5 to 13, and is best known for nearby hot springs.
Awakeri is located at the junction of State Highways 2 and 30 on the route of SH 2 from Edgecumbe to Taneatua and the route of SH 30 from Whakatane to Te Teko, and the two highways run together briefly through the village. The Taneatua Branch railway (formerly part of the East Coast Main Trunk Railway which it now meets at Hawkens Junction northwest of Edgecumbe) also passes through the town, though it is currently mothballed. Passenger services through Awakeri were provided by the Taneatua Express train from 1928 until 7 February 1959, when the steam-hauled carriage train was replaced by a 88 seater railcar service that terminated before reaching Awakeri, in Te Puke. The Awakeri Soccer Club[2] is based at the school, with soccer the dominant sport.