Thames

Thames (pronouced 'Temms') is a town at the southwestern end of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand's North Island. It is located on the Firth of Thames close to the mouth of the Waihou River.

A major employer is the Toyota New Zealand plant, which assembled CKD cars until 1998, and now refurbishes imported used cars. Another is the precision engineering works and foundry of A & G Price, established 1868, who built 123 steam locomotives for the New Zealand Railways. Now they make keels for large yachts.
Location of Thames

The town was initially built during a gold rush, and its population peaked at about 18,000 in 1868. For a while it was thought it would replace Auckland as the major town in the area. A former local institution of learning was the Thames School of Mines.

Many people migrated to Thames at its peak, and it was soon the second-largest city in New Zealand (the largest being Dunedin then Auckland). However, as the gold began to diminish, so did the number of inhabitants, and although Thames never shrank, it has never grown much either. It is still the biggest town on the Coromandel. The 2006 census gave the population of Thames as 6756. Many residents work in tourism and locally owned businesses servicing the local farming community.

 

23 °C


Clear, clear sky


Wind2.07 m/s
Cloudiness1 %
Temperature (min/max)23/23 °C
Pressure1020 hpa
Humidity46 %
Last update: 17 Mar 2026 @ 05:30

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Featured Businesses

  • Thorold Country House

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    Visit Thorold Country House in ThamesREAD MORE

  • Top Shelf Charters2009-04-07

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    Top Shelf Charters, Thames, Waikato, New Zealand is based in the North Island of New Zealand on the Thames side of the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula approximately one to one and a half hours drive from Auckland and Hamilton. There are lots of different species and it is hard to say exactly what you may catch, however Snapper, Trevally, Kingfish, Kahawai, Gurnard and sometimes even Blue cod are predominately around. READ MORE

Featured Businesses

  • Brookby Motel2009-04-06

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    The Brookby Motel, Thames, Waikato, New Zealand. The Brookby Motel is a small boutique-style motel of comprising of six units in total, which are all smoke-free. All units are serviced daily providing a clean and restful stay. The location is unique because it is the most central of all motels in Thames yet it is the quietest! This is because the motel is set in a quiet residential area by a brook and cannot be seen from the main road, so you have to know that it?s there.READ MORE

  • Reon Signs2009-04-06

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    Reon Signs in Thames, Waikato, New Zealand is a well established family business that has provided signwriting services to the area for over 50 years.READ MORE

  • Coastal Motor Lodge2009-04-06

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    The Coastal Motor Lodge, Thames, Waikato, New Zealand is the perfect place to enjoy the unspoiled natural beauty of Coromandel where sea views, gorgeous sunsets and birdsong abound. The architecturally designed superior chalets have private sundecks overlooking the wonderful gardens to the Firth of Thames shore beyond. Enjoy the spectacular sea views and breathtaking ocean sunsets in this quiet oasis. Relax, enjoy and savour the memories. READ MORE

  • Grafton Cottage and Chalets2009-04-06

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    Grafton Cottage and Chalets in Thames, Waikato, New Zealand is truly a magical place to stay to enjoy The Coromandel. Your own self contained chalet is situated quietly in a tree lined situation with breathtaking views over Thames, The Hauraki Plains and The Firth of Thames. From your deck, or from the sun terrace, you will enjoy fantastic vistas and sunsets that never cease to amaze.READ MORE

  • Rampaura Watergardens2009-04-06

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    Ideally situated as a base from which to explore the Coromandel, the Rampaura Watergardens offer accommodation in either the Lodge or a country cottage, both situated in the grounds of Rampaura, Thames, Waikato, New Zealand.READ MORE

  • Rolleston Motel2009-04-06

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    The Rolleston Motel itself is located in a peaceful spot, at the end of a no exit street. It is within walking distance of the towns shops, restaurants and many other activities. All over the Rolleston Motel is a friendly, comfortable environment for your next adventure to the great town of Thames on the Coromandel Peninsula. READ MORE

  • Shortland Court Motel2009-04-06

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    Situated at the southern end of the historic town of Thames, Waikato, New Zealand, Shortland Court Motel offers very high quality accommodation for, both, holidaymakers and corporate clients. The Motel is ideally located to enable vacationers to base themselves and take the various half, or one day trips to enjoy the wonderful scenery and historic sights of the Coromandel Peninsula.READ MORE

  • Thorold Country House2009-04-05

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    Thorold Country House in Thames, Waikato, New Zealand, has a classic, timeless, rustic appeal from the exterior with wide verandas opening onto manicured lawns to the pool and the delightful subtropical garden oasis. The views from the property extend to the Coromandel Hills and the Firth of Thames.READ MORE

  • The Heights2009-04-05

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    The Heights Bed and Breakfast in Thames, Waikato, New Zealand is decorated with antiques and family heirlooms. You?ll find a little guide to the house in your room that will tell you about some of the more interesting pieces.READ MORE

  • Avalon Motel2009-04-07

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    The Avalon Motel in Thames, Waikato, New Zealand is set within large mature gardens, in a 2-storey complex only 5 minutes walk from Thames shopping centre, restaurants, cafes and bars. Avalon Motel is pet friendly, belongs to the Budget Motel Chain and welcomes Barter Card. Eleven fully self-contained units are available with Sky TV, large private car park, large garden and childrens' play area.READ MORE

  • Tuscany on Thames2009-04-06

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    Thames is the main commercial centre for the Coromandel Peninsula. It is the ideal place to base a holiday. The gold rush and boom town days have left Thames with a unique character for the visitor to explore and enjoy.READ MORE

  • Sola Cafe2009-04-06

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    All the food at Sola Cafe, Thames, Waikato, New Zealand, is cooked on the premises with fresh top quality ingredients. It is warm and inviting in winter with interesting contemporary artwork on the walls. In summer there is Al fresco street dining or tranquil herb garden seating at the rear.READ MORE

  • Balloons 'n' Things Party Hire Ltd2009-04-06

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    Balloons 'n' Things Party Hire Ltd, Thames, Waikato, New Zealand specialise in balloons and balloon art as well as providing services for events such as weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, conferences and much more.READ MORE

  • Cotswold Cottage2009-04-05

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    Cotswold Cottage, Thames, Waikato, New Zealand is set in landscaped gardens on a bend of the Kauaeranga river with breathtaking sea views of the Firth of Thames and Kauaeranga river to the Pinnacles and Coromandel national park. This Bed and Breakfast is an ideal base to discover the Coromandel and surrounding area from.READ MORE

  • Coastal Cottages2009-04-06

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    All Coastal cottages in Thames, Waikato, New Zealand have a separate lounge, bedroom/s and toilet/shower room and are fully equipped with cooking facilities, Sky television, telephone, iron and ironing board and hairdryer. During the cooler months heating and electric blankets are also provided.READ MORE

  • Breakfast at The Heights2009-04-05

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    When you enjoy Breakfast at The Heights, Thames, Waikato, New Zealand, you can indulge yourself with specialties like American waffles or a hearty English breakfast and there are also treats that will please the health-conscious.READ MORE

  • Huia Lodge 2009-04-06

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    Huia Lodge is set in a beautiful tranquil valley in the Coromandel Ranges, yet only 10 minutes from Thames, Waikato, New Zealand. Come and stay and let us share this idyllic lifestyle with you. The Huia Lodge provides spacious suites, good comfortable beds, even en-suite bathroom and a good hearty breakfast.READ MORE

  • Westwind2009-04-06

    Located in Thames, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, New Zealand

    Be amazed by the Miranda seabirds or unwind with a game of golf. Enjoy this gateway to deserted white sandy Coromandel beaches and Rotorua?s thermal wonderland. This Guest House is only one hour south of Auckland International Airport. Take timeout, have heaps of fun. Your haven at Westwind Guest House, Thames, Waikato, New Zealand, will not disappointREAD MORE