Broadwood: Mosaic Art, Remembrance and Local History

Broadwood’s individual points of interest include a roll of honour in St Mark’s Church, public art with memorial and picnic functions, a river walk and historical events. You can consider these separately when planning your trip.

Remembrance and Public Art

The roll of honour for those killed in the First World War hangs in the entrance of the Anglican St Mark’s Church on Takahue Saddle Road in Broadwood. A chainsaw carving commemorates the farmers and drovers who contributed to the development of this area. The two memorials focus on different themes: those killed in the war, and the people whose contribution to the area’s development is recognised.

A report from January 2026 describes a public artwork that also serves as a memorial and picnic area. According to the report, it includes three theft-resistant mosaic tables; decorative sculptures at the picnic area depict kūkupa, or native pigeons. The report also notes that a community mosaic from Kaitāia was reinstalled in Broadwood as a public artwork. It places the picnic area beside the town’s public swimming spot.

River Walk and Rest Area

The river walk recorded in a 2019 community plan connects the swing bridge to the A&P Hall and leads back to the main road. The rest area was established when the Twin Coast Discovery Route was planned to pass through the town. The 2019 community plan also describes raised garden beds and plantings of native plants there. If you plan to visit the walk or rest area, check their current accessibility in advance.

Historical Events

Broadwood’s Settlers’ Society began holding annual picnics at the Glass property in 1908. The programme included running races and equestrian events, including steeplechases. A 2014 report describes the Broadwood A&P Show, with demonstrations of bush logging and sheep shearing. The report also notes that Joan and her family usually returned to the show each year.

In the wider Far North District destination

The wider Far North District destination offers its own regional perspective on culture and landscape. The former Mangonui Courthouse in Mangonui was built in 1892; as a well-preserved, unusually intact small courthouse, it is of national significance. The Stone Store in Kerikeri was built from 1832 to 1836 and is New Zealand’s oldest intact stone building and oldest surviving warehouse. Pompallier in Russell was built from 1841 to 1842 and is among New Zealand’s earliest surviving French colonial buildings. The Te Paki Coastal Track offers views of the northern coastline, regenerating bush and large wind-shaped sand dunes. It can be walked in full or in selected sections; there are four campsites along the route.

Discover more destinations: Whangaroa, Russell, Pakaraka, Te Kao, Kerikeri, Kaitaia, Okaihau, Paihia.

Back to the wider travel overview: Far North District.