The 7 Best Maori Festivals In New Zealand - Culture Trip
Check out some of the great New Zealand events that showcase its indigenous Maori heritage food and customs.
Bay of Plenty
The <anchor>Bay of Plenty</anchor> town of Maketu has some great culinary claims to fame: the town is nationally renowned for its local brand of pies, as well as having a great kaimoana festival to share with the masses. As with others on the list, the Maketu Kaimoana Festival is held each February and offers lots of insight into the native cuisine, culture and the people who bring it to life. Cooking demonstrations are a regular attraction and the festival also holds a strong reputation for its traditional Māori bread ( rewena).
11 Reasons To Put New Zealand's Bay Of Plenty On Your Bucket List
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# 11 Reasons to Put New Zealand's Bay of Plenty On Your Bucket List

Mount MaunganuiMount Maunganui | © russellstreet/Flickr

Thalita Alves 24 October 2017

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## If you’re making your way around New Zealand’s North Island, the Bay of Plenty region should be on top of your must-sees. There’s a number of reasons why Kiwis and international visitors alike fall in love with this summer holiday worthy destination. Here are 11 enticing attractions that will convince you to add the area to your bucket list.

### Mauao/Mt Maunganui

Mauao/Mt Maunganui is one of the regions’s most iconic landmarks. It might not be among New Zealand’s tallest mountains, but its summit rewards all those who visit with sublime panoramas of the Tauranga Harbour’s white sand beaches and islands – as well as views of the forested Kaimai Ranges from a faraway distance. It can take approximately 40 minutes to hike up to the top, or you can simply walk around it for some scenic seaside vistas.

Mount Maunganui

### Rotorua’s geothermal gems

The spouting geysers, brightly coloured geothermal springs, and wonderful remnants of thousands of years’ worth of volcanic activity are among Rotorua’s finest offerings. The town is within close range to Auckland and Tauranga alike, and is also known for its adrenaline-inducing activities and cultural attractions.

Rotorua Geysers

### The popular Papamoa Beach

Mt Maunganui’s coastal neighbour, Papamoa Beach, attracts thousands of visitors each summer. It is renowned for its prime surfing conditions, fishing spots, glistening white sands and safe swimming waters. Kite and wind surfing are other popular activities on this coastal stretch.

Papamoa Beach, Bay of Plenty

### Let’s not forget the region’s lesser-known coastlines

The best thing about the Bay of Plenty is that you’ve got a trove of beaches to explore – from the bustling hot-spots to the underrated horizons. Maketu, just 30 kilometres (18.64 miles) east of Mount Maunganui, has a couple of untouched coastlines worth exploring – most notably the sheltered Newdicks Beach. Tauranga’s lesser-known beaches include Matakana Beach (not to be confused with the Matakana township near Auckland) and Athenree Beach. Whakatane in the eastern Bay of Plenty also has its own coastal gems like the relaxing Ohope Beach.

Maketu Beach, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

### The Bay of Plenty is New Zealand’s home of mural art

Katikati, a town just 40 minutes from Tauranga, was a pioneer in New Zealand’s mural art scene. The town began painting its heritage and history along its walls in the 1990s, after drawing inspiration from a similar movement in Canada. Since then, Katikati has earned its place as the country’s home of mural art, boasting more than 60 open-air artworks and its own mural festival.

A mural depicting Katikati in the early days

### And the birthplace of New Zealand’s most famous street artist

Kiwi muralist Graham Hoete, aka Mr G, came into the international spotlight after channeling his creativity to create a special tribute to one of his musical idols, Prince. He hails from Motiti Island in the Bay of Plenty region, and has been working as an artist for more than a decade. Hoete regularly works on commissions in New Zealand and abroad, having created artworks for prominent brands and celebrities along the course of his career.

people cheering on a mountain

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people cheering on a mountain

### An active marine volcano is just a boat ride away

White Island is one of the world’s easiest-to-access volcanoes. Whakatane is the closest township from this fascinating force of nature – meaning it is also the main departure point for the island-bound boat tours. Aside from the obvious geothermal activity on show, White Island is also renowned for its rich marine life, abundant gannet colonies and an interesting collection of Pohutukawa trees.

White Island

### The regions’ hiking terrains are incredibly diverse

On the way to Orokawa Bay, Waihi Beach

### Cyclists are well looked after too

Whether you’re a mountain biking enthusiast or a casual rider, the Motu Trails in Opotiki are a definite New Zealand cycling must-do. It is considered one of the country’s Great Rides and stretches from the eastern Bay of Plenty all the way to the Eastland region to reach the city of Gisborne. With a wide-ranging series of routes to explore, even novice cyclists will be able to explore some of the tracks at their disposal.

Mountain Bikers in the Bay of Plenty region

### Naturally, this is a place for water-based activities

Besides the beachside attractions we’ve already mentioned, Tauranga visitors get to experience marine wildlife cruises and the opportunity to kayak by the glowworms, while Rotorua’s lakes are popular with kayakers, paddle boarders, fishers among other water sport enthusiasts. Essentially, if you love your aquatic activities the Bay of Plenty will spoil you for choice – no matter which town or city you end up staying in.

Surfin’ Safari, Mt Maunganui, New Zealand

### Heritage and history are always within close range

Rotorua is known for being one of the top places to experience Maori culture in New Zealand. For history with a techie twist, Mt Maunganui’s virtually-guided Arataki Cultural Walking Trails app sets out to showcase the area’s rich heritage – from landmarks to legends – in a way that’s engaging and encourages people to get out and about. If you’re exploring Whakatane, the Puketapu Lookout and Papaka Redoubt are the places to catch a glimpse of some of the regions’ ancient Maori fortification sites.

Tamaki Maori Village, Rotorua, New Zealand

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