Whakatāne - New Zealand's Sunshine Capital!

After a five-year hiatus, Whakatāne officially holds the sought-after New Zealand 'Sunshine Capital' title!

(Originally Published in January 2021)

The official announcement has crowned Whakatāne 'Sunshine Capital' of New Zealand for the fifth time since records kept by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) began. Not to mention, we continue to be the reigning champion for the North Island.

We'd like to extend a warm welcome to the rest of New Zealand to take a break from their lack of sunshine hours, and come and share ours!

This fantastic accolade confirms what we already know - that Whakatāne has everything under the sun, and plenty of sun at that.

We have an abundance of sunshine throughout the year, which only adds to the magic of the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

There are so many things to experience here - rich cultural history, secluded beaches, boutique shopping and incredible outdoor adventures right on our back doorstep.

A total of 2704 sunshine hours recorded in 2020 put Whakatāne 89 hours ahead of second-place Richmond, the 2019 winner. We also took out first place in the sunshine stakes for January, February, May and December!

Whakatāne is the perfect place to soak up an extended summer!

We welcome anyone who has yet to decide on a holiday destination this year, to come and enjoy the spectacular weather and excellent hospitality we're known for.

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Beaches

From the safe white sand beach of Ōhope, with surfing at West End, to the secluded beach of Ōtarawairere, the district is a beach lover’s paradise.

Friends walking in bush section of trail

Top Things to Do

A selection of the superb activities available during your stay in Whakatāne.

Summer

Sun. Surf. Adventure. Shopping. Relaxation. What more could you want?

Itinerary Inspiration

Enjoy the hidden gems, people, and places of the Eastern Bay of Plenty with our uniquely designed itineraries and enjoy the 'road less travelled'.

Things to do in the sun!

Ōhope Scenic Reserve

The entranceway to Ōhope Scenic Reserve features a traditional carved entranceway. The reserve itself is home to a large number of kiwi.

Motu Trails Ltd

Shuttle service to the Pakihi Track and other stop off points, or mountain bike down after being dropped off by helicopter. Cycle hire, cruisers, tandems, road and mountain bikes.

Child standing next to Kiwi statue with Moutohora in background

Kiwi Wandering Trail

A self-guided scavenger hunt in Whakatāne, New Zealand, the Kiwi Capital of the World!

White Pine Bush

Nestled in the heart of an enthralling kahikatea forest, the White Pine Bush Road loop is perfect for families.

Kawerau Pools

Free heated pools, including a giant spa pool, The whole complex is surrounded by large recreation and play areas, where barbecue and picnic tables are available for families.

Dunes Trail

Meandering over Ōpōtiki’s dunes and beach, it's just as good for walking and running as it is for biking. With no hills above 15 metres, and plenty of places to access the sand, children love it!

The Heads

A popular spot known to locals as 'The Heads' where the Whakatāne River meets the sea.

Burma Road

If you're keen for a simple family spin, go to Maraetotara in Ōhope. Ride up the unsealed Maraetotara Road into the bush-edged Burma Rd to the main Ōhope-Whakatāne highway.