Scattered throughout the region are native scenic bush reserves. During summer a number of beautiful gardens are open to the public. If it's rural hospitality you're after, you are well catered for with the many country pubs in the area. You can also experience the rural atmosphere on one of six golf courses dotted throughout the region.
Waipukurau
Waipukurau, with a population of 4500, is the main service town for Central Hawkes Bay. It has all essential services including medical centre, garages, pharmacies, restaurants, supermarkets and accomodation. The town's biggest employer is Advanced Foods, a meat processing plant. CHB Print is another major employer that publishes the area's community newspaper and a quarterly farming feature.
There is an art gallery in the main street that displays work by local artists and other well-known New Zealanders.The Civic Theatre shows movies and holds a variety of events, including live shows.
For sports fans, Waipukurau has rugby and cricket grounds, squash and tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course, race course, and an indoor heated pool complex.
There are a variety of places to dine out. Local hotels all offer fine meals for lunch and dinner. Several cafes and bakeries also produce scrumptious lunches.
The community spirit is alive and well in the town, with annual events such as the Agricultural and Pastoral Spring Show, the WETA Wine and Food Festival and the Waipukurau Country Race Meeting. Local service groups include Rotary, Lions, Freemasons and Toastmasters.
Waipukurau has an airfield.
The local aero and
gliding clubs enjoy strong support, with the
national aerobatics championships being held
there every year.
The town is home to some
historic homesteads
dating back to the times of the original settlers.
- text adapted from
an excellent booklet entitled Discover
Central & Souhern Hawkes Bay, published by CHB Mail
Central Hawkes Bay
Situated on the east coast of the North Island, the Central Hawkes Bay region enjoys warm summers with high sunshine hours. Temperatures during winter months rarely reach extremes, and the frosts they do get provide ideal conditions in which to grow apples.
