Welcome to Wairoa

Living in Wairoa places you at the gateway to the Mahia Peninsula, Lake Waikaremoana and the wilderness of Te Urewera.

From sublime district wide fishing, surfing, and diving spots the town also boasts the Wairoa River which is ideal for rowing, waka ama, jet boating, water skiing and yachting and attracts water sports enthusiasts from around the country.

Experience Wairoa’s rich heritage by walking the five-kilometre river walkway. Sites of historical significance share the stories of Māori and European settlement. The walk starts at the historic Portland Island Lighthouse – in service between 1878 and the mid-1950s, before it was moved to town in 1961 – and finishes at Pilot Hill.

The walkway stretches the length of the town all the way to the rivermouth on the outskirts of the township. This Whakamahi Beach area — where the Wairoa River meets the Pacific Ocean —comprises rugged coastline and wetlands and is enjoyed by visitors and locals alike.

The town features a community centre with swimming facilities, indoor sports and a gymnasium, Destination Playground, a skatebowl, and the iconic Gaiety Theatre for movies and live entertainment with its old school charm and state-of-the-art technology, which reflects a Wairoa community proud of its history, with eyes fixed on the future.

The Wairoa Museum is centrally located on the town’s main street, featuring galleries and exhibitions, and an interactive discovery space.

A popular holiday destination is the beautiful beaches of the Māhia Peninsula, a bustling summer refuge and a magnet for fishermen, divers, and surfers. It’s one of New Zealand’s most reliable surfing destinations…..and there’s always a wave on somewhere. Fishermen can launch boats on either side of the peninsula, providing access to outstanding fishing and diving in almost any weather.

Another gem is the Morere Hot Springs, a collection of mineral hot pools and bush walks, set within the last remaining tracts of native rainforest on the East Coast.

The Kahungunu meeting house at Nuhaka features magnificent Māori carving, scroll patterns and panel weaving that portrays the history and stories of the early people.

If you are looking at getting back to nature head to the tranquil and remote Lake Waikaremoana in Te Urewera which features bush walks through native rainforest, waterfalls and trout fishing and the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk.