Waihi, town, northern North Island, New Zealand. It is situated on the Ohinemuri River (tributary of the Waihou), at the base of the Coromandel Peninsula on the northern end of the Waihi Plains.
Waihi, whose name is Maori for “rising waters,” was founded three years after gold and silver were discovered just north of the site in 1875. Gold mining continued until the 1950s, and many shafts lie directly under the town. Waihi is linked to Auckland (90 miles [145 km] northwest) by rail and road and serves a highly localized dairy region with a processing plant. Other industries include footwear, home-appliance, joinery, and concrete-products factories; general engineering works; and sawmills. The resort of Waihi Beach lies 7 miles (11 km) east along the Bay of Plenty. Pop. (2006) 4,500; (2012 est.) 4,660.