About Wairoa
Wairoa is on the East Coast of the North Island. It is the northernmost town in the Hawke's Bay region, and is located on the northern shore of Hawke Bay at the mouth of the Wairoa River and to the west of Mahia Peninsula. It is 100 kilometres northeast of Napier, and a similar distance southwest of Gisborne. Servicing a large rural community Wairoa's population is 4272 (2006 Census) and a further residing in the wider Wairoa region 4212 (2006 Census) Wairoa is only unique in two areas that we are aware of, firstly a very wide river runs through the center of town and secondly there is a Lighthouse positioned on the river bank opposite the main shopping area.
The aerial picture of The Wairoa Bridge above, was taken in 1988, as in March of that year Wairoa weathered an extremely severe cyclone.
You can read more on Cyclone Bola on our Cyclone Bola Facts and Photos page.
Cyclone Bola passed through the Wairoa township flooding many areas and uprooting many trees.
The force of the logs, branches and debris was so great that the piles of our bridge, as you can see below, were taken out, causing the bridge to completely cave in, and parts of it swept away. This in turn broke the main water pipes and power sources to the town for days to follow.
Wairoa was declared a Civil Defence Emergency area and the locals rallied to support each other. The New Zealand Army was called in to assist the many services working over time to supply power and water to the south side of Wairoa. You can read more on Cyclone Bola on our Cyclone Bola Facts and Photos page.
The New Bridge has much more clearance underneath and more space between its support pillars, it was also moved relative to the old bridge to give it a stronger foundation which is much less likely to be damaged by the flow of the river even in severe flood conditions.
The New Bridge is much wider, higher and far more modern, giving the approach to our town a more up market look.
To accomodate the sudden incline up to the new bridge a roundabout was built allowing a slight incline going either left or right into Marine Parade, then slightly higher again heading onto the bridge. A few of the local buildings on that intersection were removed to make way for the roundabout that needed to caterer for large vehicles such as buses, logging trucks, camper vans and traillers.
Our pretty town, located on the banks of the broad Wairoa river, is the district's main commercial and urban centre. The Wairoa district takes it name from the main river flowing through it. From this river comes the name not only for the entire district but the town itself. This large expanse of country, which is mostly hilly, is drained by the Wairoa, Waihua, Nuhaka and Tahaenui Rivers, and numerous other small ones.
The river is an ideal place for the many water sports, including yachting, kayaking, rowing and water skiing.
The Wairoa Lighthouse was originally built on Portland Island off the Mahia Peninsula and was one of the earliest lighthouse sites in New Zealand. Built from solid kauri it was in use from 1878 to 1958. In 1955 a new light on a steel tower was built when the wood started rotting. It was the last lighthouse to use kerosene lamps and clockwork mechanisms. The lighthouse was moved to its present position in 1961.
In the vicinity of the lighthouse can be seen an old letter box, a whaling try-pot as well as seats commemorating those who served in the wars.
This Picnic Area was taken from the Lighthouse. The riverbank has many of these eating areas providing pleasant scenic surroundings.
Early settlement in the area included a whaling station and trading post, dealing largely in flax. Its initial name was Clyde, but this was changed largely to avoid confusion with Clive near Napier and Clyde in the South Island.
The town rose to prominence during the Maori Wars, during which time it was a garrison town.
Wairoa was largely established as a port and service centre for northern Hawkes Bay, and was reliant on shipping until the road and rail links were established in 1930.
Today, Wairoa is a manufacturing and farming service town. It is the seat of the Wairoa District Council. The Wairoa District covers the northern half of The Bay's coast, and extends from Mahia Peninsula to Lake Waikaremoana, and south to the mouth of the Waikari River.
This is a photo of our local AFFCO Freezing Works, taken from Te Uhi Hill. This Company is the major employer in Wairoa. It operates a night and day shift six days per week processing up to 70,000 head of beef and 1 million lambs per year.
Wairoa is the gateway to the coastal playground of Mahia Peninsula. The beauty of Mahia speaks for itself in the photos below.
The top end of Blacks Beach named after the colour of the sand on the shore..
Looking across at Mahia from the road, heading out of Opoutama.
No words can capture this shot the way the camera has. 'Picture Perfect' in every sense.
East Coast Road on the Northen side. The population varies through the seasons at Mahia. The permanent residents battle the cold and wind of Winter while many reside in town and only move out to live at Mahia for the Summer months, commuting backwards and forwards to work in town.
Wairoa is also the gateway to the wilderness areas of Te Urewera National Park and the magnificent Lake Waikaremoana, one of New Zealand's 10 Great Walks.
Home Bay, Lake Waikaremoana.
