Image
Otarawairere bay aerial shot

National Geographic Travel explores the Eastern Bay of Plenty

National Geographic Travel's cultural explorers, Heather Greenwood Davis (writer), Erika Larsen (photographer) and Christoph Niemann (Illustrator) visited Whakatāne to explore our diverse region where Māori culture and geothermal wonders are on full display.

During their visit they experienced Whakatāne’s Mataatua Marae, the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi walkway and had a traditional hangi feast at Kaputerangi pā, a site of major historic significance.

Pōwhiri

Experience the power behind a traditional Māori welcome ceremony at Mataatua Marae.

Hāngi

Join National Geographic and friends for a traditional feast at Kaputerangi pā in Whakatāne.

Discover a people, a land and a culture with National Geographic.

You Might Also Like...

Awakeri Rail Adventures has carried well over 1400 passengers through the rolling Awakeri countryside in converted golf carts on the disused Awakeri/Tāneatua railway line.

With our safe swimming beaches, sunny climate and abundance of nature on our doorstep, the Whakatāne District makes a great holiday getaway with the family.

In Whakatāne, kiwi are literally in our backyard; we can walk off the pavement into the bush and be in kiwi territory.

Hitting the road from the hustle and bustle of Tauranga, Sue Hoffart finds a traffic-light-free town whose neighbours include an intriguing island and New Zealand’s best beach.

Our Summer extends into Autumn - and winter means a shift away from the coast to explore the heartland of our District.