Wairoa

Wairoa is a town of 5,000 people in northern Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

Understand
The town lies on both sides of the big Wairoa River, with the main part on the south bank. The bridge crossing the river is the third to be here and replaces one that was swept away by Cyclone Bola in 1988.

By car
From Napier, follow State Highway 2 north for two hours.

Do

 * Chase the wild birds on the Marine Parade. The marine parade isn't actually beside the sea, but it is where the river widens before forming a lagoon. All sorts of interesting stuff (100-year-old trees and the like) are washed down the river.
 * Chase the wild birds on the Marine Parade. The marine parade isn't actually beside the sea, but it is where the river widens before forming a lagoon. All sorts of interesting stuff (100-year-old trees and the like) are washed down the river.

Buy
The town has four ATM machines. Many merchants in the surrounding region do not have EFTPOS, meaning you need to pay in cash. The town has a few boutique shops that are owner-operated and the town is virtually untouched by large chain stores.

Go next

 * Morere – hot pools and bush walks on the way to Gisborne
 * The beaches of the Mahia area
 * Napier