Do something NEW New Zealand

The Whakatāne area has sun, sand, surf and soul, writes Tim Roxborogh

Bordered by the Whakatāne River on one side and bush-clad cliffs on the other, Whakatāne's commercial centre must have one of the most scenic settings any town could wish for.

Sun, sand, strolls along the beach… Ōhope is a little slice of paradise with so many options for families, couples, and solo travellers to enjoy this summer.

Meet Ollie, who has the enviable workplace of West End, Ōhope Beach. West End is the perfect place to learn to surf.

From its ocean, river and estuaries to the fields and bush-clad mountains, this is a region of remarkable abundance, and local eateries take full advantage.

Guest post on hunting and gathering skills by Taste Chronicles for the Local Wild Food Challenge.

This is a stunning loop-journey from Whakatane, heading around the spectacular Pacific Coast to Ohope, along the sand, then inland through forest that is roamed by kiwis, back to town. The track is the stage for annual Toi's Challenge, founded in 1996, and one of New Zealand's iconic trail events.

The route delivers plenty of scenery, vegetation and birdlife; and, if you read the information boards you’ll come across, about 800 years of history too.

Sun to Surf is a unique and exciting oceanside event, which will take place on the final day of daylight saving. Starting in the late afternoon allowing competitors to run into the twilight from the scenic township of Whakatāne to the stunning finish on NZ's Best Loved Beach.

Thank you to the thousands of fans who joined in the celebrations to welcome members of the All Blacks Rugby World Cup 2015 squad to Whakatāne!

National Geographic Travel's cultural explorers, Heather Greenwood Davis (writer), Erika Larsen (photographer) and Christoph Niemann (Illustrator) visited Whakatāne to explore our diverse region.

Completing the 100k trail is no small feat, but the same will and perseverance that got Casey through the devastation from the flood helps keep her going when training gets hard.