The Hawke’s Bay Region is recognised as one the country’s popular holiday destinations. It offers a diverse landscape of fabulous beaches, sheltered coastal plains and tree covered mountains which are centred around the huge curve of Hawke Bay and enjoys a warm and dry, Mediterranean climate, the envy of many New Zealanders. It is due to this ideal climate that Hawke’s Bay is known as one of New Zealand’s premier food and wine regions and is recognised as one of the oldest wine growing areas, producing unsurpassed award winning wines, and one of the largest pip and stone fruit growing areas of the country. The main population centres are the twin cities of Napier, which is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of Art Deco architecture, and Hastings, an ideal location from which to explore this appealing region. In the northern part of the region lies the small township of Wairoa which is known as the gateway to the Te Urewera National Park. The park is the largest of the four national parks in the North Island and is known for its remoteness and forested beauty. It contains the pristine Lake Waikareiti and Lake Waikaremoana, which is renowned for its large brown and rainbow trout, and the Waikaremoana Great Walk. The Waikaremoana River is popular amongst white water kayakers and trout fishermen. For food and wine lovers who are visitors to the area, please note that there is the ‘Harvest Hawke’s Bay Wine and Food Festival’ that takes place every January.
Located on the mid-eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Hawke’s Bay is primarily a rural region composed of the fertile Heretaunga Plains and the more northern Wairoa Plains, which are backed by rolling hills and the high, forested Ruahine and Kaweka ranges. This beautiful landscape is crossed by a number of streams and rivers which run from the sparsely populated mountain areas, to form the wide and swiftly flowing rivers which meet the sparkling Pacific Ocean. The higher areas and their streams offer ideal locations for hunting, mountain biking, tramping, trout fishing and horse trekking. Whilst the wide lower rivers offer more trout fishing, kayaking, rafting and jet boating, and pass through beautiful valleys which are ideal for walking and relaxing. The rolling hills and productive coastal plains support many farms and orchards, more than 40 wineries and countless vineyards. The coastal areas offer many golden beaches and the clear waters of Hawke’s Bay which are a Mecca for fishermen, sailors, divers, surfers, swimmers and for those looking for a quiet day to laze in the sun. It is along this coastal zone and south-east of Napier, that the world’s largest and most accessible gannet colony can be seen at Cape Kidnappers. There are three colonies to be found, namely the Saddle, Black Reef and the Plateau Colonies, however public access is only allowed at the Plateau Colony, whilst the Black Reef Colony can be viewed from the beach. This area is protected by the Department of Conservation.
The Hawke’s Bay Region is interestingly home to one of the world’s longest place names as registered by the Guinness Book of Records. It is a rather nondescript hill is the south of Hawke’s Bay near Porangahua and is named – Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturi- pukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. Good luck saying it!! It is usually called Taumata.
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