Sights in Whakatane
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A
Whakatane Museum & Gallery
Whakatane Museum & Gallery is an impressive regional museum with artfully presented displays on early Maori and European settlers. Of particular interest are the taonga (treasures) of local Maori tracing their lineage back to the Mataatua waka, while the art gallery presents a varied program of NZ and international exhibitions.
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B
Pohaturoa
Beside the roundabout is Pohaturoa, a large tapu (sacred) rock outcrop, where baptism, death, war and moko (tattoo) rites were performed. The Treaty of Waitangi was also signed here by Ngati Awa chiefs in 1840 and there’s a monument to the Ngati Awa chief Te Hurinui Apanui.
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C
Whakatane Observatory
Whakatane Observatory offers a great chance to star-spot when the sky is clear.
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D
Muriwai’s Cave
The partially collapsed Maori site Muriwai’s Cave (Te Ano o Muriwa) once extended 122m into the hillside and sheltered 60 people, including Muriwai, Wairaka’s aunt and famous seer. Two exquisitely carved ceremonial waka are displayed opposite the cave.
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E
Wairere Falls
Tumbling down the cliffs, Wairere Falls (Te Wairere) occupies a deliciously damp nook, and once powered flax and flour mills and supplied Whakatane’s drinking water.
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