Hawke’s Bay

We rolled out of Gisborne towards Wairoa just as great dollops of rain began to cover the windscreen. Despite the washout to follow, our course was set, not down the usual route, but through Tiniroto along the old stock route referred to locally as the ‘inland’ road.

Cycling amongst the vines, tramping to Cape Kidnappers and Te Mata Peak, admiring the art deco buildings of Napier… there is always something to see and do in the Hawke’s Bay.

Former editor Jill Malcolm pulls over at Lake Tutira, an inviting camping area in Hawke’s Bay.

Jill Malcolm reflects on Tolaga Bay, the place where the shared future of Pakeha and Maori began.

In my own country not all roads are frontiers. Of all the spectacular drives in New Zealand one of my favourites is still the route from Taupo to Napier, and I’ve been travelling this way since I was 10 years old.

Vivienne Haldane takes a trip to the extraordinary Mahia Peninsula, which is slightly off the beaten track but well worth the detour.

Hit the road and head to beautiful Hawke’s Bay, where you can drink scrumptious wine in the sun and enjoy some of the finest dining in New Zealand. Things to see and do in Napier and Hastings and the surrounding area.

Get off the beaten track and go freedom camping on New Zealand’s East cape.

Vivienne Haldane suggests that you will soak up a lot more than the health-giving minerals when you go for a dip at Morere Hot Springs.

Viv Haldane winds back the clock at The Faraday Centre in the art deco city of Napier.

A red kiwi, a red poppy, a red beer label and a restored red railcar have James Heremaia seeing red in the Wairarapa. These were some of the highlights of his road trip on SH2.

Vivienne Haldane explores extraordinary Eastwoodhill, the national arboretum of New Zealand.