Napier & Hawkes Bay Matau-a-Maui - 'A gift from the sea' The shape of the Hawke’s Bay coastline resembles a fishhook. According to Māori legend the hook - or matau - once belonged to Maui, the legendary seafarer who used it to haul Te Ika a Maui, ‘The Fish of Maui’, from the inky blue depths of the adjacent Pacific Ocean. Matau-a-Maui - Hawke’s Bay, a gift from the sea. Map of Napier & Hawkes Bay Accommodation Options
Art Deco Architecture
Wine & Food, Sightseeing, History, Māori Culture & Artists: Enjoy meeting fascinating artists, view their works, taste our wonderful wines, explore stunning scenery whilst absorbing our history. Spend time with interesting Māori and experience a Powhiri (Māori welcome) visit legendary Te Mata Peak (weather permitting). A platter lunch at a winery restaurant is included. If you wish to continue on to an overland Gannet Visit in the afternoon, Gannet Safaris will collect you from our lunch restaurant. Half day morning or afternoon tour.
Privately Guided Tour: Experience a privately guided tour taking you deep into Hawke’s Bay countryside and culture to visit special people and places - mostly accessing areas of significant historical value and their people - exclusive to your tour guide. A history that can still be told by the wonderful characters who live here both Maori and European. Come and meet these characters of Hawkes Bay and have a wonderful day unlike any other. Half day tours are 4 hours and include a light snack, full day tours are 7 hours and include a picnic lunch.
Food & Wine Lovers Delight: Visit the best of our wineries and taste the best of our wines. Guided by a vineyard owner and medal winning wine expert, this is a fantastic day for wine lovers. Visit some of the more innovative wineries in the bay, meet the people involved and hear their stories. We have access to a successful vineyard not open to the public. Barrel tasting available. We also visit special food outlets. Wine lovers on past tours have said this was their best winery tour anywhere. You will spend time with a wine specialist, who provides access to people and areas in the wineries not normally possible.
Cycle the Wineries: On Yer Bike Winery Tours offers a unique experience to enjoy the natural attributes of Hawkes Bay countryside as well as a fun cycling wine experience. Cycle around the Ngatarawa triangle which includes six wineries. The terrain is all flat and easy cycling, distance 16.8miles. Scenery includes vineyards, olive groves, orchards and farmland. Pedal a high quality mountain bike (tandems available). A cellphone is provided for contact with base for collection of wine purchased 'en route', a detailed map of the Ngatarawa triangle and a scrumptious packed lunch and water.
Trout Fishing: Because our guides are so well loved and respected in our area they have access to special fishing areas. We have three very experienced fishing guides who have access to large areas of private land on many rivers. Hawkes Bay has excellent trout fishing. Top equipment provided. Half or full day tours.
Cape Kidnappers International Golf Course: Welcome to Cape Kidnappers International Golf Course, Travel + Leisure Golf's "2004 Golf Course of the year. 140 metres above Hawke Bay, Cape Kidnappers is seaside golf at its finest. The surface is firm and fast, the conditions can be windy, and the player who can control his trajectory will be master of the course. It's an overwhelming experience to stand up on the cliffs, 140 meters above sea level, and look out across the waves far below in Hawke Bay. Though it may be far from home, Cape Kidnappers will remain forever in your heart.
Carved Waka Paddle
Maori Culture & Heritage: These tours offer a rare opportunity to visit a scenic and historic Maori spiritual site with the people who own and treasure the land. Tour options could include: visit to a Marae, experience a Powhiri (Maori welcome) and understand the basic concepts of the Marae, its people and culture. Spend time talking with Maori and sharing experiences. Walk and/or visit Maori artists. Hakakino Pa, set near superb Waimarama Beach on the East Coast. An old fighting Pa with a marvelous history set on beautiful, remote Maori farmland and bush. Experience rural sights, bush and Maori culture accompanied by your local Maori guides.
Images provided by: Ian Trafford, Hawkes Bay Wine Country Tourism Association
