Sights in Hawkes Bay
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Marineland
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Hawke’s Bay Museum & Art Gallery
The Hawke’s Bay Museum & Art Gallery is a repository for a wide range of interesting collections and showcases these in permanent displays of Maori artefacts and a fascinating 1931 earthquake memorial gallery (do watch the deeply moving film). There are also excellent locally curated exhibitions and touring shows. It closed from late 2010 for major redevelopment, set to re-open in 2013; revamp plans look exciting.
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National Tobacco Company Building
The National Tobacco Company Building is arguably the region’s deco masterpiece and is located a short ride from the city centre in Ahuriri. Built in 1933, it combines art-deco forms with the natural motifs of art nouveau. Roses, raupo (bulrushes) and grapevines frame the elegantly curved entrance. During business hours it’s possible to pull on the leaf-shaped brass door handles and enter the first two rooms.
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National Aquarium of New Zealand
The National Aquarium of New Zealand is a modern complex with a stingray-inspired roof. Inside are a crocodile, piranhas, turtles, eels, kiwi, tuatara and a whole lotta fish. ‘Behind the Scenes’ tours (adult/child $31/16) leave at 9am and 1pm and qualified divers can swim with sharks (dive $68, gear hire $36).
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Hawke’s Bay Opera House
Although you wouldn’t guess from the sturdy Spanish-Mission exterior, its lavish art-nouveau heart betrays it as an earthquake survivor. Built in 1910, it’s recently had a multimillion-dollar refit and a modern plaza and foyer added. Tours take place during Art Deco Weekend.
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Te Aute College
The prestigious Te Aute College schooled many Maori leaders including James Carroll and Apirana Ngata. Call ahead if you want to visit the wonderful carved meeting house and church.
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Nga Taonga a Maui Gallery
Nga Taonga a Maui Gallery has a wonderful collection of Maori art for sale including wooden carvings, contemporary glass sculptures and traditional feather cloaks (around $1900).
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Westerman's Building
Pop into the i-SITE for a closer look at its intricate leadlight shopfront with intact terrazzo floors. The Spanish Mission Hastings walking tour starts here; book at the i-SITE.
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Central Hawke’s Bay Settler’s Museum
The Central Hawke’s Bay Settler’s Museum has pioneer artefacts, informative ‘homestead’ displays and a good specimen of a river waka (canoe).
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Gaiety Theatre
At the time of research there was talk of reopening the restored 1931 Gaiety Theatre, so stroll by and take a look.
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Hastings City Art Gallery
The Hastings City Art Gallery presents contemporary New Zealand art in a pleasant, purpose-built space.
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Wairoa Museum
Wairoa Museum has an Italianate facade from its former life as a bank.
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Westshore Beach
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Te Mata Trust Park
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Tikokino
Tikokino was once a timber town but is now known for its lovely private gardens, open to visitors during spring and early summer. The information centre can help you with details.
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Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu
It’s a nondescript hill in the middle of nowhere, but the place with the world’s longest name is good for a photo op. Believe it or not, Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu is the abbreviated form of ‘The Brow of a Hill Where Tamatea, the Man with the Big Knees, Who Slid, Climbed, and Swallowed Mountains, Known as Land Eater, Played his Flute to his Brother’. Tamatea Pokaiwhenua (Land Eater) was so famous for his epic North Island travels, people said he consumed the land with his strides. After his brother’s demise in the Matanui battle, Tamatea sat on this hill with his flute and played a lament to his fallen sibling. To…
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Ongaonga
is a historic village 16km west of Waipawa with interesting Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Pick up a pamphlet for a self-guided walking tour from the information centre in Waipukurau.
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Christ Church
Across the road next to a marae is little Christ Church (1859), the district’s oldest.
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Otatara Pa
Wooden palisades, carved pou (memorial posts) and a carved gate help bring this pa site to life. An hour-long loop walk takes in the archaeological remains and provides terrific views of the surrounding countryside. From the city head southwest on Taradale Rd and Gloucester St. Turn right into Springfield Rd just before the river.
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Marine Parade
Marine Pde is an elegant tree-lined avenue dotted with motels and restored timber earthquake survivors. Along its length are parks, sunken gardens, a mini-golf course, a swimming complex, aquarium and museum. Near the north end of the parade is the Tom Parker Fountain which is best viewed at night when it is lavishly lit. Next to it is Pania of the Reef (1954), Napier’s iconic statue. This tragi-romantic figure from local folklore looks a little Maori and a lot Disney, her forced toothy smile framed by Rita Hayworth’s hair. With a tiki lying between her overly pert breasts she’s the perfect embodiment of the dusky maiden. She has her similarities to Copenhagen’s L…
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Bluff Hill Lookout
There are expansive views over Hawke Bay from Bluff Hill (102m). Open during daylight hours, the circuitous route to the top makes a pleasant wander, and the well-loved lookout itself is a nice spot for a picnic.
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