BAY OF PLENTY Tauranga · Whakatāne Ōhope · Whirinaki · Te Puke · Pāpāmoa Mount Maunganui · Katikati · Waihi Beach free visitor guidE HAERE MAI Welcome to the bay of plenty Ours is a place of positive energy; a rich coastal paradise. Where cultures embrace and the natural generosity of our people is as abundant as our fertile land and open seas. Here you can explore bush-clad islands, admire waterfalls, kayak across lakes to see canyons glittering with glow-worms, glimpse unique wildlife and relax on white sand beaches. By following the Pacific Coast Highway, you will encounter idyllic, friendly towns and cities right along this 125km stretch of coastline. The time you spend in our region will leave you invigorated and restored, with lasting memories of our stunning natural landscapes and the warmth of our climate and our people. Within this guide we share with you some of the wonderful places, spaces and experiences of the Bay of Plenty. Explore, discover and delight – it is our absolute pleasure to welcome you. For more information visit www.bayofplentynz.com 2 CONTENTS Tiaki Promise By following the OUR MOUNTAINS & Tiaki Promise you are ISLANDS 4 making a commitment to New Zealand. 6 SPECTACULAR BEACHES 7 ART & CULTURE WHILE TRAVELLING IN NEW ZEALAND I WILL UNIQUE WILDLIFE 8 CARE FOR LAND, SEA AND NATURE, TREADING LIGHTLY AND LEAVING NO TRACE 9 ABUNDANT HARVEST TRAVEL SAFELY, SHOWING CARE 10 GREAT OUTDOORS AND CONSIDERATION FOR ALL , Whakatāne ōhope RESPECT CULTURE, TRAVELLING WITH 12 & whirinAki AN OPEN HEART AND MIND mt maUnganui, 22 Pāpāmoa & te Puke HOW TO CARE FOR NEW ZEALAND Tauranga,katikati 28 & wAihi Beach OUR MOUNTAINS & ISLANDS a place of discovEry Tuhua (Mayor Island) Let the stories of the Bay MAUAO (MOUNT MAUNGANUI) MOUTOHORĀ (WHALE ISLAND) MOUNT OTANEWAINUKU of Plenty's mountains Standing guard at the entrance to With two distinct peaks depicting Mount Otanewainuku is considered Tauranga Harbour, Mauao (Mount the outline of a whale, Moutohorā a chiefly mountain by Māori and rises and islands captivate and Maunganui) is an iconic landmark (Whale Island) is a remnant of an 640m above the Mamaku plateau, inspire you. and an impressive walk, climb and old volcano and is part of a volcanic offering stunning panoramic views cultural experience. zone that stretches further out to from its summit. The mountain is These landscapes The 45 minute climb to the top of sea to Whakaari (White Island). covered in native forest which is have been forged over the iconic dormant volcano offers The island is nine kilometres cared for by a volunteer trust so thousands of years by unbeatable panoramic views across offshore from Whakatāne and is one you can enjoy plenty of native birdsong as you walk among large fire, wind and sea yet Tauranga and the Pacific Ocean. of New Zealand’s most restricted wildlife sanctuaries. It’s home native rimu trees. they could not be more You can also meander around the 3.4km base track and enjoy the to endangered species like the different from each other changing vistas. saddleback, kākāriki (NZ parakeet), – some are clad in dense little brown kiwi, and tuatara. Be enchanted by the cultural history Abundant marine-life also surrounds native bush while others and stories when you download this island. Dolphins often frolic are as barren as the moon. Arataki Cultural Trails – with its GPS alongside tour boats, and fur seals tracking capabilities, you’ll hear the Together they are the focal make themselves at home on the history of one of New Zealand’s most rocky shore year-round. Moutohorā point of our awe-inspiring popular short walking trips. is accessible by guided tour only. coastal paradise. Moutohorā (Whale Island) Did you know? Whakaari (White Island) is 2 kilometres in diameter and its peak rises 321m above sea level. It is estimated to be between 150,000 and 200,000 years old. 4 Experience Experience the thrill of big game fishing in the warm waters surrounding the Bay of Plenty Snorkel , dive or kayak at the spectacular Moutohorā (Whale Island) wildlife sanctuary Dig your own hot pool at Moutohorā’s (Whale Island) Sulphur Bay – a geothermal hot water beach Scale Mount Otanewainuku for views across the Mamaku Plateau Climb Mount Maunganui and take in the panoramic view – one of the most instagrammed spots in New Zealand! Visit Moturiki island for great views and rock fishing Mauao (Mount Maunganui) MOTURIKI (LEISURE ISLAND) WHAKAARI (WHITE ISLAND) The Story of Whakaari FIND OUT MORE You won’t find an island more Whakatāne is home to Whakaari According to Māori, Maui (a » Arataki Cultural Trails: accessible than Moturiki. This iconic (White Island), New Zealand's only Polynesian demi-god from www.arataki.co landmark is actually connected to active marine volcano. Hawaiki) hooked and caught New Mount Maunganui’s Main Beach and The island's Māori name means "that Zealand’s North Island on a fishing has had a long and colourful history. which is made visible" thanks to the trip. After he pulled the island to Enjoy a short walk out to the end of billowing steam which can be seen the surface of the sea, he burnt the track for beautiful views looking on the horizon. The island sits 49 his hand touching the embers back at Mauao, and across the sea to kilometres offshore from Whakatāne of a fire on the island. To cool it, Tuhua and Motuotau. and is the north-eastern tip of the he plunged his hand into the sea Taupō Volcanic Zone. which forever set the position of TUHUA (MAYOR ISLAND) the steaming, boiling Whakaari. Tuhua is the Māori name for obsidian and is one of the few places in Aotearoa where this important pre- colonial resource can be found. Tuhua, also named Mayor Island by Captain James Cook, is a wildlife and marine sanctuary, providing a refuge for our region’s most precious locals. Mōtītī Island 'There's something fantastical about this landscape that lends itself to legends' Amber Wilson Australian Associated Press (June 2018) 5 SPECTACULAR BEACHES Surf the waves at Mount Maunganui’s picture-perfect Main Beach Discover Otarawairere Bay, a beautiful hidden gem in Whakatāne Swim at family-friendly Waihi Beach Spot dolphins and other sea life on a marine tour from Tauranga Catch game fish, snapper and kingfish a rich on a charter from Whakatāne Harbour Cruise to Matakana Island to explore its white sand beaches coastal Explore Ōhiwa Harbour’s islands by pAradise kayak, yacht or stand-up paddle board Mount Maunganui Main Beach You can’t go far in the AWARD-WINNING BEACHES FUN ON THE WATER FIND OUT MORE coastal Bay of Plenty Opportunities for swimming, surfing, Jump on a kayak or jet ski to find » Aerius Helicopters: p. 31 fishing and other popular water adventure in a sheltered harbour or » Blue Ocean Charters: without stumbling across p. 34 activities can be found all along the grab your diving gear and explore » Hakanini Surf School (Pāpāmoa a sweeping white-sand region’s 125km coastline. Mount the waters around Moutohorā Beach): hakininisurf.co.nz beach, perfect wave or Maunganui Main Beach was rated (Whale Island). Many visitors choose » Kewpie Harbour Cruises: p. 25 the best beach in the country in the to hit the waves on a surf board or picturesque fishing spot. TripAdvisor 2018 Travellers’ Choice stand up paddle board, or head out » KG Kayaks: p. 19 The sun, surf and sand Awards, while Pāpāmoa Beach and to sea on a fishing charter to hook » Mount Maunganui Surf Academy: surflessons.co.nz have shaped the region’s Ōhope Beach also made the top snapper, kahawai and kingfish. 10. There are waves that will excite » Motu River Jet: p. 19 laid-back lifestyle and are Marine tours out of Tauranga, Mount the most experienced surfers, as Maunganui and Whakatāne offer the » Salt Spray Surf School at the heart of the Bay of well as calm sheltered spots where chance to see dolphins and other (Ōhope Beach): Plenty experience. little ones can paddle safely in the marine life up close. Orca, penguins saltspraysurfschool.co.nz shallows. Build towering sandcastles and seals can also be sighted » Tauranga Marine Charters: p. 34 in the sunshine or enjoy a game of enjoying the best the Bay of Plenty » Waihi Beach Surf School: beach volleyball or cricket. coast has to offer. beachsurfschool.co.nz Ōhope Beach Did you know? Ōhope Beach is regularly voted New Zealand’s most loved beach. 6 ART & CULTURE Stop by Mataatua Wharenui ‘The House That Came Home’ to experience Māori legends brought to life Step back in time at The Historic Village or The Elms missionary house Retrace the footprints of a great Māori chieftain at Nga Tapuwae o Toi trail Visit the statue of Wairaka in Whakatāne and learn of her legendary act Where Wander the charming haiku pathway and discover the dozens of outdoor murals in the arty town of Katikati cultures Discover the street art in and around Tauranga and Mount Maunganui Enjoy the creative works in the region’s many art galleries and embrAce artistic spaces Mataatua Wharenui ‘The House That Came Home’ Māori tell the story of the RICH MĀORI HERITAGE Whakatāne. Marvel at the intricacy while The Incubator in Tauranga’s first voyagers travelling Māori culture is woven throughout of the carved representations of the Historic Village is the home to a the fabric of the Bay of Plenty region. great chiefs of Ngāti Awa, before growing collective of art, music, by waka from Hawaiki There are many ways to experience two of the most famous legends of fashion and performance. Katikati and choosing to settle in authentic Māori culture, from marae the tribe are brought to life before – known as ‘New Zealand’s Mural the Bay of Plenty for its visits and sharing traditional earth your eyes in Hiko: Legends Carved in Town’ – is home to New Zealand’s cooked Māori hāngi, to stunning Light – the award winning Mataatua largest outdoor art gallery.