About Hawkes Bay

Hawke's Bay Wine Country is New Zealand's leading food and wine region. With over 2200 hours of sunshine, Hawke's Bay is a year-round holiday destination with an eclectic mix of visual and sensory experiences.

Located on the east coast of the North Island, the landscapes of Hawke's Bay begin with the high, forested Ruahine and Kaweka Ranges. From the mountains the land sweeps down towards the coast, flattening out to become the Heretaunga Plains. A number of wide rivers, excellent for fishing, run swiftly to meet the blue Pacific Ocean and glorious beaches which stretch from Mahia in the north to Porangahau in the south.

Hawke's Bay is the country's oldest winemaking region and is New Zealand's leading producer of award winning red wines. Hawke's Bay is also home to a world-class concentration of Art Deco architecture, fresh local produce and artisan food producers complemented by a vibrant arts scene and a rich Maori culture. The region also hosts a number of 'must see' events throughout the year.

Hawke's Bay is a region of contrasts with a diverse range of things to see and do. For families enjoying the sun, there are golden sand beaches, the Splash Planet water theme park, and crystal clear rivers to explore. Visit the National Aquarium of New Zealand, swim with dolphins or view the largest most accessible mainland Gannet colony in the world.

For the mild to wild adventurer take a jet boat or cycle between wineries.

Experience hot air ballooning at sunrise or surfing in Mahia. Paraglide off Te Mata Peak, hike or take a leisurely journey along one of the 17 heritage trails around the region. You can hunt in the ranges, fish for brown and rainbow trout or play golf at one of the 20 local courses.

Whether it is the fresh bud burst of spring, long hot languid days of summer, the golden hues of harvest or crisp air and blue skies of winter, Hawke's Bay Wine Country is waiting to be discovered.