Sights in The East Coast
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East Coast Museum of Technology & Transport
The East Coast Museum of Technology & Transport is an improbable collation of rusty tractors, lawn mowers, engines, spanners, ploughs, ovens, chainsaws, trucks, pumps, harvesters, motorbikes and so on – a shrine to peoples’ inventive capacity or their ability to horde junk?
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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.
reviewed
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C
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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D
Tairawhiti Museum
The Tairawhiti Museum focuses on East Coast Maori and colonial history. Its gallery is Gisborne’s arts hub, with rotating exhibits, and the permanent display of ‘Shutterbug Jack’s’ photographs is not to be missed. There’s a tearoom-style cafe overlooking Kelvin Park, and outside is the reconstructed Wyllie Cottage (1872), Gisborne’s oldest house.
The Te Moana Maritime Museum occupies a wing of the Tairawhiti complex. When the Star of Canada foundered on a Gisborne reef in 1912, the ship’s bridge and captain’s cabin were salvaged, installed in a local home, then later moved here for restoration. Displays on waka, whaling and Cook’s Poverty Bay visit pale be…
reviewed
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E
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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Eastwoodhill Arboretum
Arboreal nirvana, Eastwoodhill Arboretum is 35km northwest of Gisborne. Staggeringly beautiful, you could easily lose a day wandering around the 25km of themed tracks in this pine-scented paradise. It’s the country’s largest collection of imported trees and shrubs, but the birds love it just the same.
reviewed
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F
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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Kahungunu Marae
Not far from the Nuhaka roundabout is Kahungunu Marae. From the street you can note the carving at the house’s apex of a standing warrior holding a taiaha (spear). It’s less stylised than most traditional carving, opting for simple realism.
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Tolaga Bay Cashmere Company
Just off the main street, Tolaga Bay Cashmere Company inhabits the art-deco former council building. You can watch the knitters at work and then purchase one of their delicate, pricey handiworks; the seconds are sold at a discount.
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Te Poho o Rawiri Marae
Te Poho o Rawiri Marae has an elaborately carved meeting house. You can get a decent view from the gates but you’ll need to call ahead to ask for permission to view the decorated interior.
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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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Presbyterian Church
The historic Presbyterian Church is the only building in the village to have survived Te Kooti’s 1868 raid. It’s a sweetly simple affair with lovingly tended gardens.
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Te Tauihu Turanga Whakamana
Te Tauihu Turanga Whakamana is a large modern Maori sculpture incorporating the images of two men killed during Cook’s first interaction with the locals.
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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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