Whakatane Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

View of Whakatane in New Zealand
View of Whakatane in New Zealand
View of Whakatane in New Zealand
The women of the Mataatua Canoe, left to themselves when the men went ashore for the first time, found a waka (canoe) drifting out to sea again. The paddles were forbidden to women, but a high spirited teenager, Wairaka, who was the daughter of Chief Toroa, boldly seized one of the paddles and paddled the waka back to shore. As she did this, she shouted, Kia Whakatane au i ahau:, and her actions saved the women but also coined the name of the town. A bronze statue of Wairaka stands on a rock at the Whakatane Heads to commemorate this act.
Whakatane is a Maori word and the 'wh' is pronounced like an 'f'. The statute of Wairaka is at the mouth of the Whakatane River in the Bay of Plenty area on the North Island.

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Where to stay in Whakatane

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Maraetotara

If you're spending some time in Maraetotara, Bay of Plenty and Otarawairere Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Maraetotara
Whakatane is a Maori word and the 'wh' is pronounced like an 'f'. The statute of Wairaka is at the mouth of the Whakatane River in the Bay of Plenty area on the North Island.

Whakatāne Town

While visiting Whakatāne Town, you might make a stop by sights like Wairere Falls and Whakatane River Walk.

Whakatāne Town
The women of the Mataatua Canoe, left to themselves when the men went ashore for the first time, found a waka

Coastlands

While Coastlands may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Wairere Falls and Te Manuka Tutahi Marae.

Coastlands
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Poroporo

While Poroporo may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Wairere Falls and Te Manuka Tutahi Marae.

Poroporo
The Com Plex Motel

The Com Plex Motel

3 out of 5
39 The Strand Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is NZ$162 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
NZ$162
2 Mar - 3 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (407 reviews)
very clean and quiet rooms, a great place to stay

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2026

The Com Plex Motel
Awa Motel

Awa Motel

4.5 out of 5
15 The Strand Whakatane
The price is NZ$145 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
NZ$145
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (635 reviews)
Great location, stayed in the front villa, very nostalgic, roomy and well appointed kitchen.

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2026

Awa Motel
Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

2.5 out of 5
57 The Strand Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is NZ$148 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
NZ$148
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and private hot tubs. Popular attractions Wairere Falls and Whakatane River Walk are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (105 reviews)
Great welcome. Hosts go out of thier way to make the stay special. A really nice place located next to awesome dining options. We are doing our second stay and will be back again.

Reviewed on 14 Feb 2026

Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel
See all 147 properties in Whakatane
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Stunning holiday home close to beach

Stunning holiday home close to beach

Whakatane Coastlands
Stay at this holiday home in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Whakatane Aquatic Centre and Whakatane District ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (117 reviews)
Very satisfactory, good shower water pressure, very clean, good place to stay

Reviewed on 3 Oct 2025

Stunning holiday home close to beach
Private Coastal Sanctuary, Next to the beach!

Private Coastal Sanctuary, Next to the beach!

2 out of 5
Coastlands Bay of Plenty Region
Stay at this holiday home in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Whakatane Golf Club and Whakatane District Museum ...
Private Coastal Sanctuary, Next to the beach!
Cosy and comfortable studio for two, a breakaway worth exploring.

Cosy and comfortable studio for two, a breakaway worth exploring.

Whakatane Bay of Plenty
Stay at this apartment in Whakatane. Enjoy patios and air conditioning. Popular attractions Whakatane Aquatic Centre and Whakatane War Memorial Hall are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
It was quiet, comfortable & homey. Sadly though, it took a long time for the hot water to heat up, which made it difficult to deal with in the middle of winter. Also wasted a lot of water.

Reviewed on 27 June 2025

Cosy and comfortable studio for two, a breakaway worth exploring.
See all properties in Whakatane
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Whakatane Hospital

If Whakatane Hospital is what brings you to town, hopefully you'll have a chance to explore more of Whakatane.

Whakatane Hospital

Te Manuka Tutahi Marae

You can find out about the history of Whakatane when you stop by Te Manuka Tutahi Marae. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Te Manuka Tutahi Marae

Wairere Falls

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Wairere Falls during your travels in Whakatane. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Wairere Falls

Mataatua: The House That Came Home

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Mataatua: The House That Came Home during your trip to Whakatane. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Mataatua: The House That Came Home

Whakatane Aquatic Centre

You can take time to visit Whakatane Aquatic Centre during your travels to Whakatane. Discover the volcano viewpoints while you're in the area.

Whakatane Aquatic Centre

Te Papaka & Puketapu

Find out about the history of Whakatane with a stop at Te Papaka & Puketapu. Discover the volcano viewpoints while you're in the area.

Te Papaka & Puketapu

Reviews of Whakatane

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
73
5 - Excellent 42%
4 - Good
91
4 - Good 53%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Always a friendly place to visit

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely weather for the beach wedding we attended. Would have been nice to stay longer.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love this place, but it is my hometown so a little bias

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely weather . Nice slow pace.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A very clean and colourful garden smaller town that has been hit hard by the eruption of Waikare/White Island. Tourists are starting to trickle back but it will take some time for the town to get back to the bustling town it was.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great fishing charter. Easy place to get about. Good food options

Cities near Whakatane

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Ohope

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