Blog
Local advice, place guides and suburb guides from around Hastings.
Rivers and WaterwaysTukituki River at Walker RoadRiver Swimming Near Waipawa, Water Quality and Toxic AlgaeDiscover a Tukituki River swimming spot east of Waipawa, just below the Waipawa River confluence, and learn what to check before you dip in.Coastal BeachesAramoana Beach Central Hawke’s BaySwimming, Diving and Te AngiangiA quiet Central Hawke’s Bay beach on Shoal Beach Road, with a Good water quality grade and the northern entrance to Te Angiangi Marine Reserve.Coastal BeachesPōrangahau Beach (Te Paerahi)Swimming, Surfing and CampingA long golden beach near Pōrangahau with an Excellent water quality grade, swimming, storm-driven surf and a walk to the river mouth.Coastal BeachesBlackhead BeachSwimming, Winter Surf and Te Angiangi Marine ReserveA Central Hawke’s Bay beach beside Te Angiangi Marine Reserve, with Good water quality, rock pools and winter surf.Coastal BeachesKairakau BeachSwimming, Surfing and Waterfall Bay in Central Hawke’s BayA small Central Hawke’s Bay beach under big cliffs, with Good water quality, quiet surf and a low-tide walk to Waterfall Bay.Coastal BeachesPourērere BeachSwimming, Surfing and Camping in Central Hawke’s BayA Central Hawke’s Bay beach with a sheltered lagoon for little ones, quiet surf, rock pools, diving and summer camping.Rural Settlements and Plains CommunitiesCrownthorpeRural Area Guide to River Farms and Quiet RoadsDiscover Crownthorpe, a quiet farming district west of Hastings, where vineyards, river country and local roads set the pace.Coastal CommunitiesWaimāramaVillage Guide to Coastal Living and Bare IslandDiscover a quiet Hawke's Bay seaside village where golden sand, a historic marae and weekender baches sit under Bare Island.Rural Settlements and Plains CommunitiesPūkahuRural Area Guide to Farms and Country RoadsExplore Pūkahu on Te Aute Road, where farmland, Mount Erin and the traces of an old coaching settlement still mark a quiet Hastings fringe.Rural Settlements and Plains CommunitiesKaramūRural Area Guide to Orchard Country on the PlainsExplore orchard country on Hastings' eastern outskirts, where Te Karamū Stream and an old plains name still shape daily life.Rural Settlements and Plains CommunitiesPukehamoamoaRural Area Guide to Farm Roads and School LifeExplore quiet farm country inland from Hastings, where a country primary school and rural roads set the pace of local life.Rural Settlements and Plains CommunitiesKahurānakiRural Area Guide to Hill Farms and a Sacred PeakExplore open hill-country farms south of Havelock North, where a privately held sacred peak shapes the skyline and public access stops at the farm gate.