The town of Wairoa got its name from the "Te Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Mātangi Rau" river which, in Maori language, means "the long bubbling, swirling, eneven waters". Te Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Mātangi Rau is the full name of the Wairoa River and refers to its turbulence, and hidden currents. The Ruakituri, Hangaroa, Mangapoike, Mangaaruhe and Waiau rivers are all tributaries of the Wairoa River. The ancestral canoe Takitimu travelled up the river and landed near where the Waihirere (Takitimu) marae now sits. For a complete Wairoa history experience, be sure to visit the excellent Wairoa Museum during your visit.

A short 8-10min drive north of Wairoa on SH38 is Frasertown is a small rural settlement with a long history. Frasertown was originally called Te Kapu, but was re-named by early settlers after Brevet-Major James Fraser, who captained military forces in Wairoa in the 1860s. SH38 beyond Frasertown is the route to Lake Waikaremoana from the Hawke's Bay side.

Māhia Peninsula is a hilly promontory projecting south into the sea, between Poverty Bay and Hawke’s Bay. The name Māhia means ‘indistinct sound’.

The peninsula has a number of beautiful beaches and peaceful holiday houses, and is a natural playground for people who like to surf, fish, dive, kayak, swim and walk. It has an interesting mix of sandy and rocky beaches – some exposed to the ocean swells, others beautifully sheltered.

Discover the tranquillity of Opoutama and Māhia Beach. If you want to catch some waves, Mahanga Beach and Black’s Beach are great destinations.

Māhia Peninsula Scenic Reserve is another of the must do activities when visiting Māhia Peninsula. Make time for a walk in one of the largest tracts of lowland coastal forest remaining on the North Island’s east coast.

Te Urewera is renown for its breath-taking beauty as well as its stormy history. The sparsely populated hill country is the historical home of Tūhoe, an iwi (Māori tribe) known for their stance on Māori sovereignty. It extends over 2,127 km² and is almost 600m above sea level.

Waikaremoana is a name that encompasses both the lake and the settlement. The beautiful lake was formed about 2,200 years ago by a huge landslide, caused by an earthquake that blocked the Waikaretaheke River.

Along the Rainforest route gateway to Te Urewera, there is a huge selection of walks and tracks. There are short strolls to waterfalls, lakeside swimming spots, one of the biggest rata trees in the country, cave exploring tracks, climbs to lookouts and multi-day hiking adventures. This is home to Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk, one of the official Great Walks of New Zealand.

Waikaremoana Holiday Park and Te Urewera Visitor Centre at Te Kura Whenua are situated on the edge of Lake Waikaremoana and are the first stop if you want more information about the area and walks or want to hire equipment.

Te Kura Whenua - Visitor Experience Centre
+64 6 837 3803
6249 Lake Road, Te Urewera 4195

There was a small lake close to Mōrere called Maukanui, which was well known for its tuna (eels). Today there is evidence of this occupation with the discovery of storage pits and an old pā (fortified village) site. For many years, local Māori utilised the hot springs for cooking, but through legislation this practice was stopped. The current area became a thermal reserve in 1885.

Mōrere Scenic Reserve and mineral pools at Mōrere Hot Springs are one of the must do activities in the Wairoa district. Visitors can enjoy the hot and cool pools and the great wilderness on the network of walking tracks ranging from easy 10-minute native bushwalks to challenging two and three hour hikes.

Nga Nūhaka is the name given to the village by the first ancestors who lived in the district. Nūhaka is famous for its historic Nūhaka General Store which has been in the same location for more than 100 years - it’s also a good stop if you’re looking for souvenirs. Nūhaka is also host to the Wairoa Māori Film Festival. 

At the heart of Nūhaka, on the corner of Ihaka and Mataira Street, is Kahungunu Marae. This beautiful master-carved marae was built and carved by World War II veterans in the late 1940s under the tutelage of John Taiapa.