Our Stories / Ngā Kōrero ā-rohe

Read all about Whakatāne, Ōhope and the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Brandyn Koroa, beekeeper of Manawa Honey NZ (Photo Credit: Anne Backhaus)

Mānuka Honey was once 'rubbish honey'!

Mānuka Honey article in Die Ziet Newspaper featuring Manawa Honey NZ.

The iconic East Coast road trip

Our top tips when road-tripping from Whakatāne around the East Cape and onto our neighbours at Tairāwhiti Gisborne.

Kaimoana / Seafood in the Eastern Bay of Plenty

We're blessed in the Eastern Bay to have a wide selection of kaimoana / seafood to experience! From oyster shucking, to mussel farming and a variety of fresh fish right off the boat.

Ōhiwa - The food basket of many hands

A New Zealand Geographic story about Ōhiwa Harbour. Shallow and dotted with islands, its warm waters have long been a major food resource for local iwi.

Te Urewera: how to experience the natural world in a new way

Fitting snugly between the Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay, Te Urewera – the first natural landmark to be recognised in New Zealand law as a legal entity in its own right – is signposted by the villages of Tāneatua to the north, Murupara and Ruatāhuna to the west and Wairoa to the east.

Meet the team from East Coast Sportfishing Charters!

Meet Archie Ericksen-Hei and Ellie Paige, from East Coast Sportfishing Charters.

Meet Alison and Shayne from Beachpoint Apartments!

Beachpoint Apartments are fully self-contained apartments with stunning ocean views situated on Ōhope Beach.

A Change of Scene

Explore the laid-back Bay of Plenty region known for its stunning coastline, unique wildlife and top kai.

Camping or Glamping Top Picks

We showcase our favourite spots.

Ask a Local Whakatāne

If your looking for the true taste of a town you need to talk to the locals.

Meet HALO Whakatāne

HALO Whakatāne is a community led conservation project in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Embrace autumn in the East!

The Eastern BOP might just be the perfect spot for an autumnal weekend away, with good weather and plenty going on.

Meet the Whakatāne isite Visitor Information Centre team

Meet our friendly Whakatāne isite team!

Best Beach 2024: Winners announced

You went, you swam, you voted... the New Zealand readers’ poll to find Aotearoa New Zealand’s Best Beaches for 2024.

Coastal Charm

Sun, sand, strolls along the beach… Ōhope is a little slice of paradise with so many options for families, couples, and solo travellers to enjoy this summer.

Sunshine Season Guide: Summer - Autumn 2023/24

Your free guide of the Must-do activities, events and top spots this summer season.

48 Hours in Whakatāne

Feel a summer road trip brewing? Don’t whizz past Whakatāne when you’re headed down the coast — it’s an ideal spot for a couple of days of sun, ocean fun, nature walks and seaside dinners.

An Insiders Guide to Whakatāne – more than you ever imagined

Labour Weekend might be the traditional welcome to warmer weather and planning longer summer breaks, but Whakatāne’s holiday vibe is all year round.

Bumper summer ahead in the Eastern Bay

We’ve had Covid, we’ve had rain but this season we’re looking forward to the return of a classic kiwi sun-filled summer.

Kid-Friendly Adventures

Our recommendation of activities to keep kids of all ages entertained.

A family weekend in Whakatāne

Surrounded by untamed wildernesses, achingly beautiful shorelines and forests filled with nocturnal kiwi, Whakatāne is the ideal destination for an adventure-filled family weekend.

Flavours of Plenty Foodie Guide

Put together by our friends at Tourism Bay of Plenty, experience the best of the wider Bay of Plenty foodie scene.

Meet Barry Cutfield...

Owner/Skipper Barry takes groups of up to 12 people sailing on sailing catamaran Centaurus.

Ohiwa Holiday Park: A relaxing haven for your next getaway

A hidden gem tucked away on the pristine shores of Ohiwa Harbour, article from Coach Outlet.

Whakatane's Fairbrother Loop Walk climbs steadily to a ridgeline through Ohope Scenic Reserve with nikau palms and old pohutukawa lining the pathway. Photo / Outdoor Kid

Family-friendly walks for autumn and winter

Whakatāne has deservedly earned the title of ‘kiwi capital of the world’. Ceana Priest takes the family on a kiwi hunt through the coastal township

Insiders Guide: dERMOTT

All the best bits of the Eastern Bay from a guy who's been promoting it for years

My Place, Ōhope - Dame Lisa Carrington

Our most decorated Olympian, Dame Lisa Carrington, talks about her love for her childhood home town in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Kevin Hayter from The Bean Cafe and Roastery

At The Bean Cafe and Roastery, Kevin says it's all about the coffee!

Kiwi Kōrero - Winter 2022

Kia Ora, welcome to the new column from the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust!

Pleasent pedalling on Ōpōtiki's Tirohanga Dunes Trail

The route delivers plenty of scenery, vegetation and birdlife; and, if you read the information boards you’ll come across, about 800 years of history too.

NZ's Most Beautiful Towns

Chosen from across all categories, the Supreme Towns and Cities Award winner is the judges’ pick of the bunch.

Winner - Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards

In 2023, Whakatāne has been crowned the 'Most beautiful large town winner' in the most beautiful awards.

"Which beach have I been dreaming about? Ōhope" - Lloyd Burr

Glorious blue skies. Sandy beaches. Clean water. A refreshing breeze. I’ve been bereft of these ingredients since April 2018, when I moved to London.

No matter the meal, Eastern Bay of Plenty has you covered

From its ocean, river and estuaries to the fields and bush-clad mountains, this is a region of remarkable abundance, and local eateries take full advantage.

A Mindfulness Escape

Take a mindfulness journey through our rohe/district

Under the Sun

Unwind and reconnect under the sun in Whakatāne.

Manawa Honey - Horse Trekking - Bare Kiwi

BareKiwi - Ruatāhuna & Manawa Honey

"Slowing down lets you talk to the locals, take in the majesty of the place – it’s like nowhere else."

BareKiwi - Te Urewera Treks

"It’s almost best described as something spiritual. It might sound silly but my favourite part was just sitting down over a cup of bush tea for a chat."

BareKiwi - Kohutapu Lodge & Whirinaki Forest Footsteps

"But the best part is not the location or the setting, it’s the people – the hospitality is amazing."

BareKiwi - Riverbug

"...the Rangitāiki experience is just so spectacularly beautiful and perfect for any ability level."

BareKiwi takes the Road Less Travelled

We invited Kiwi adventurer BareKiwi to the Whakatāne district, asked him to bring his camera, introduced him some of the locals, and these are the epic results.

Ruatāhuna Rewarewa Honey named best-tasting in the world

Honey produced in Ruatāhuna in the middle of Te Urewera forest has been named the tastiest in the world.

Toi’s! Whakatane’s stunning trail challenge

For twenty-nine years, Toi’s Challenge has been a highlight of the eastern Bay of Plenty trail running calendar, featuring a spectacular mix of coastal and forest trails between Whakatāne and Ōhope.

EPIC Business Profile: Alex & Quinn from The Wagon

Whakatane's gourmet burger bar on The Strand offers comfort food at it's finest

24 Hours in Whakatāne

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.

NZ's Favourite Bachelorette Lexie Brown and Moutohorā

"I’ve looked across the water at Moutohora all my life and only this year did I get to actually visit." @misslexibrown

Matariki special - Māori tourism operator Whirinaki Forest Footsteps

In 2021, The NZ Herald ran a series of articles focusing on Māori tourism businesses, showcasing who they are, what they do. This is the story of Whirinaki Forest Footsteps

Matariki special - Māori tourism operator Te Urewera Treks

In 2021, The NZ Herald ran a series of articles focusing on Māori tourism businesses, showcasing who they are, what they do. This is the story of Hinewai McManus (Tūhoe, Ngā Tamariki o Te Kohu): Te Urewera Treks, Murupara, Ruatāhuna, Whakatāne

Matariki special - Māori tourism operator Riverbug

In 2021, The NZ Herald ran a series of articles focusing on Māori tourism businesses, showcasing who they are, what they do. This is the story of Don Allardice (Ngāti Kahungunu) of Riverbug.

Whakatane New Zealand's Sunshine Capital

Whakatāne Reclaims Sunshine Capital

After a five-year hiatus, Whakatāne officially holds the sought-after New Zealand 'Sunshine Capital' title!

The best of the region's bush and beach escapes

The Whakatāne area has sun, sand, surf and soul, writes Tim Roxborogh

Find culture, cuisine, and craft every Sunday at the Whakatāne Market

For us, it's about locals supporting locals. We love promoting Whakatāne's small businesses, and helping young entrepreneurs get off the ground.

Meet the Riverbug

Just five minutes floating downstream in a Riverbug, and Don Allardice was completely hooked.

Gem of the Bay of Plenty

The warm-hearted people of this region beam with pride and rightly so, there is much to boast about in Whakatāne and Ōhope Beach.

Your new winter sun escape

There's a spot not too far from home with plenty of sun and expanses of stunning landscapes.

Surfing West End, Ōhope with Oliver Dobbin

Meet Ollie, who has the enviable workplace of West End, Ōhope Beach. West End is the perfect place to learn to surf.

On track for adventure

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.

Guided Night Walks, a popular and unique experience

The Whakatāne Kiwi Trust’s guided Night Walks provide a unique opportunity to explore our incredible local reserves at night.

Pear - Inspiring unique spaces

Lisa Turpie is no stranger to the Whakatāne retail scene, having previously owned The Good Life on The Strand for eight years. Her new venture on Appenzel Drive, Pear, is a home furnishing and furniture store offering French and European-inspired pieces.

Cycle hub holiday!

Whakatāne makes an ideal holiday hub for rides like Moerangi and Motu Trails - with great stuff to do off the bike. You don’t have to look far for cycle fun in Whakatāne.

Top things to do for kids

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.

Toi's Challenge Competitors at the finish line

Toi's Challenge is a beautifully hard run or walk

This is a stunning loop-journey from Whakatane, heading around the spectacular Pacific Coast to Ohope, along the sand, then inland through forest that is roamed by kiwis, back to town. The track is the stage for annual Toi's Challenge, founded in 1996, and one of New Zealand's iconic trail events.

NatGeo explores the Eastern Bay

National Geographic Travel's cultural explorers, Heather Greenwood Davis (writer), Erika Larsen (photographer) and Christoph Niemann (Illustrator) visited Whakatāne to explore our diverse region.

Sun to Surf, a picture postcard half-marathon

Sun to Surf is a unique and exciting oceanside event, which will take place on the final day of daylight saving. Starting in the late afternoon allowing competitors to run into the twilight from the scenic township of Whakatāne to the stunning finish on NZ's Best Loved Beach.