East Cape and the Wairarapa

If you’ve never been to the North Island’s East Cape, correct that mistake as soon as possible. Tokomaru Bay, 91 kilometres north of Gisborne, is an eight-kilometre stretch of pristine coastline with excellent vibes, but beautiful unpopulated beaches are a dime a dozen around these parts. Plus, Gisborne itself houses some great wineries, shops and eateries (our top pick here: Siduri Wine Bar & Deli, where you can sample organic and biodynamic wines while snacking on a plate of cold cuts, pickles and cheese).

Jumping down to the Tararua/Wairarapa border, set your sights on the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre for a glimpse of Manukura, the white kiwi. She’s the only one of her kind in captivity in the world. There’s plenty of other creatures to marvel over too, including geckos, tuatara, wētā, and many of New Zealand’s native birds, many of which are declining or threatened in the wild. On the Wairarapa coast, be sure to stop at the Castle Point Lighthouse, one of the last two remaining beam lighthouses in the country. There are plenty of walking trails here but for something a little bit different head to Patuna Farm. Come mid-November 2020 their Chasm Walk will be available again, where you’ll walk through bush and river to visit a spectacular limestone chasm, with its fossils, ferns and stalactites. If you’re in need of a bit of R&R afterwards, stay on in the cute Little Red Hut, a renovated shearer’s quarters.