The White Horse of Waimate

When driving into the small South Island town of Waimate you get a full view of Te Tari o Te Karara (Mount Ellen,) but there’s a strange monument on the hill that you just can’t miss.

The White Horse, built in 1968, has become a statement piece of Waimate. The large white slabs on the hill can be seen from the town centre, further solidifying its place as the “symbol of Waimate”. As said by Waimate local, Jo Sutherland, “I think it’s very much a symbol of Waimate, everyone can see it which is key”.

Rob Smith, another Waimate local, says, “The white horse is symbolic of the Clydesdale that came along with the settlers to help break in the land, so it saved the early settlers a heck of a lot of effort and time”.

The White Horse was built by retired farmers Norman and Betty Hayman along with the help of their community. They created this piece to commemorate the contribution of many thousands of Clydesdale and Shire horses to the district’s farming economy. 

The horse was built over three months, with the Haymans and their helpers laying 1220 concrete slabs trolleyed up the hill to the site. Norman Hayman didn’t want people to forget the work of the loyal horses, and thus the White Horse was born.

Over the years the monument had become worn down, spurring the small community to come together and restore it to its original glory in 2022. From colourful pou created by the surrounding schools, to new lookouts and tracks. “I think now that it's been developed it should become an amazing lookout for the town and a scenic place for people to go and see amazing views” Says Jo Sutherland.

With the White Horse overlooking their town, Waimate continues to see people coming to visit the monument and enjoy the views from Te Tari o Te Karara.