Ideally located where the Wairoa River meets the Pacific Ocean, Wairoa is a small but well-resourced town. Population is just over 5,000, with a further 4,000 in the district. Approximately 58 percent of the population identifies with Maori ancestry and this is reflected in the history of the area. Much community consultation is carried out on marae, or meeting houses, and several trusts and community groups have been established to look after the specific needs of the local population.
The region has a special and diverse beauty. Wairoa is the access way to the popular beaches of Mahia Peninsula, as well as the wilderness area of Te Urewera National Park. This Park has one of New Zealand’s ‘10 Great Walks’ around the magnificent Lake Waikaremoana. Within the Wairoa District one can enjoy fishing (trout and deep sea), surfing, diving, swimming, kayaking, boating, sailing, waterskiing, rowing, hunting and horse trekking. As well, there is bird watching at the Whakamahi Lagoon Wildlife Management Reserve, and simply unwinding at the Morere Hot Springs, which are set in 364 hectares of native bush. Warm summers and mild winters mean most of these activities can be enjoyed year-round.
The largest industry in the township is the freezing works, which processes the region’s sheep and cattle from the hill country farms, as well as deer and goats. Forestry is increasingly becoming an important industry with many pine plantations and two sawmills in town. The district’s fertile flats are used for growing maize and sweetcorn, as well as sub-tropical fruits and vineyards.
A recently completed recreation centre includes a heated 25 meter indoor swimming pool, large gymnasium, weight room, aerobics and modern ropes course, with the hot springs being only 40 minutes drive away. A recently refurbished movie theatre has the second largest screen in New Zealand. There is a wide range of sports, arts and crafts clubs, and an 18-hole golf course is only five kilometres out of town. Wairoa has pre-school and day-care, and a range of churches, primary schools and a dental surgeon. Wairoa College is the local secondary school.
All essential goods and services are available in Wairoa, including broadband internet access. There is one central shopping area consisting of a main street with two supermarkets, and a range of shops including hardware, bakery, clothing stores, four cafes and a variety of restaurants. There are also several banks and petrol station facilities. There is the option of further facilities available from the cities of Gisborne (65 minutes drive north) and Napier/Hastings (95 minutes south). Both these close by regions produce top quality wines and have developed a café/restaurant culture that is complementary to the viticulture.
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Ideally located where the Wairoa River meets the Pacific Ocean, Wairoa is a small but well-resourced town. Population is just over 5,000, with a further 4,000 in the district. Approximately 58 percent of the population identifies with Maori ancestry and this is reflected in the history of the area. Much community consultation is carried out on marae, or meeting houses, and several trusts and community groups have been established to look after the specific needs of the local population.
of shops including hardware, bakery, clothing stores, four cafes and a variety of restaurants. There are also several banks and petrol station facilities. There is the option of further facilities available from the cities of Gisborne (65 minutes drive north) and Napier/Hastings (95 minutes south). Both these close by regions produce top quality wines and have developed a café/restaurant culture that is complementary to the viticulture.