Historic Trail
Follow an interesting Historic Trail around through the town centre and along the river bank. View a map of the trail below.
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Kohi Point Read more » |
A , Whakatane |
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See The Real Maori New Zealand As We Take You Deep Inside Our Vibrant Culture. Learn How To Cook A Genuine Earth Cooked Maori Hangi, Visit The Sacred Sites Of The Ancestors And Share In Our Living Culture As The Legends Of Our People Are Brought To Life Using Traditional Maori Musical Instruments, forays into Maori Medicine & Weaponry and Captivating Storytelling from the descendents of the Whakatāne’s earliest inhabitants. Read more » |
A 5A Harvey St, Whakatane E Email Us M 021 220 8015 W View Website |
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The community’s arts and culture hub, Te Kōputu a Te Whanga a Toi, opened in June 2012. The centre hosts the Horizon Energy Library, and Whakatāne District Museum display and three gallery spaces. The Centre’s Museum display offers engaging experiences with stories and taonga (treasures) of the Whakatāne District. Read more » |
A 46 Kakahoroa Drive, Whakatane E Email Us T 07 3060509 W View Website |
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The Mataatua waka first landed at Te Toka Tapu, which is sited opposite Turuturu Roimata (Statue Rock) at the Whakatane river mouth. When the waka began to drift and was in danger of being swept onto the rocks, Wairaka uttered the famous words: “E, kia Whakatane ake au I ahau’ – I shall act as a man.
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A Quay Street, Whakatane |
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Te Papaka pa is rich in Ngati Awa history. Many important chiefs have lived at the site. During the land confiscations of 1866, Ngati Awa lost this site and in 1870, the Crown established an Armed Constabulary fort on the pa site. From the summit a magnificent panorama landward and seaward avails. Nowadays the site is no longer inhabited but is open to sightseers.
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Otuawhaki has great importance for Ngati Awa, as a fishing ground and place of learning. It is also the place from which the demi-god Tawhaki ascended to the heavens to receive the four sacred baskets of knowledge for his people. It is now the site of the Whakatane Information Centre. Read more » |
A Quay Street, Whakatane |
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Muriwai is a loved and honoured ancestress of the Mataatua tribes whose mana has endured down the centuries. Read more » |
A Muriwai Drive, Whakatane |
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Pohaturoa rock remains an important landmark to all members of the Whakatane community. This natural feature adds to the unique character of the township and is regarded as a symbol of peace between Maori and Pakeha, merging the past, present and future, blending the old world with the new.
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A the Strand, Whakatane |
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Toroa, the captain of the Mataatua canoe, had been instructed by his father Irakewa to look for three landmarks in his search for Kakahoroa (the ancient name for Whakatane). They were Te Wairere (Wairere Falls), Te Ana o Muriwai (Muriwai’s Cave), and Te Toka o Irakewa (Irakewa Rock). Te Wairere Falls is a sacred landmark to all of Mataatua. Read more » |
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Unveiled at the Whakatane Heads in 1965 as a memorial to the wife of Sir William Sullivan. This bronze statue atop Turuturu Rock, lies at the mouth of the Whakatane River and commemorates the bravery of Wairaka and the daughter of Toroa, captain-navigator of the Mataatua waka. Read more » |
A Muriwai Drive, Whakatane |
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Much of the foreshore of the Whakatane River is sacred to Ngati Awa and indeed all Mataatua Iwi. Te Toka o Irakewa (Irakewa Rock) is one of three landmarks that Toroa was told to look for by his father Irakewa when the Mataatua canoe journeyed to Kakahoroa (the original name for this area). Read more » |
A Muriwai Drive, Whakatane |
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Offering a visitor centre and gift shop, Maori Marae Experience, Scenic Experience and Conference/Event facilities. Tours operate daily and start from $29.50 per person. |
A 105 Muriwai Drive, Whakatane E Email Us T 07 308 4271 W View Website |
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Level 1. Agricultural machinery, barber shop, printing press, carpenters shed, harness room. Level 2. East Coast Shipping and pioneer photographs. Level 3. Whakatohea Research and Archives Maori exhibits plus twelve heritage rooms and 100 year old Shalfoon shop museum. Open M-F 10-4 and Sat 10-2. Entry Adult $10, Child $5, Family $25. |
A 123 Church St, Opotiki E Email Us T 07 315 5193 |
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Did You Know?
That’s space!
Ohope beach is around 11km long - at an average of perhaps 50m wide that's 550,000 square metres of sand.Holidaymakers
Whakatane welcomes around 50,000 holidaymakers over the summer months.What a scorcher!
In 2012, Whakatane was the sunniest spot in the whole of New Zealand! Whakatane scores the country’s hottest temperature around 55 days a year. Summer daytime temperatures generally reach 20-25°C.Whoooom-whoooom!
Some nights, kiwi can be heard as they roam the hills, under 10km from Whakatane town centre.Paradise!
Ohiwa Harbour is a haven for many rare and endangered species of birds. The hills above Whakatane are kiwi sanctuaries. There are many projects to restore and protect local environments. Whales, dolphins and Orca are often seen off the coast of Whakatane.That’s space!
Ohope beach is around 11km long - at an average of perhaps 50m wide that's 550,000 square metres of sand.Holidaymakers
Whakatane welcomes around 50,000 holidaymakers over the summer months.What a scorcher!
In 2012, Whakatane was the sunniest spot in the whole of New Zealand! Whakatane scores the country’s hottest temperature around 55 days a year. Summer daytime temperatures generally reach 20-25°C.Whoooom-whoooom!
Some nights, kiwi can be heard as they roam the hills, under 10km from Whakatane town centre.Paradise!
Ohiwa Harbour is a haven for many rare and endangered species of birds. The hills above Whakatane are kiwi sanctuaries. There are many projects to restore and protect local environments. Whales, dolphins and Orca are often seen off the coast of Whakatane.
