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.

Where to stay in Whakatane

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 Mataatua: The House That Came Home.

Whakatāne Town
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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
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 24 Feb to 25 Feb
NZ$162
24 Feb - 25 Feb
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! (402 reviews)
Motel was new. Room was very clean and was stylish. Reception staff were friendly and welcoming. The room was equipped with kettle, microwave, mugs, crockery and cutlery. Parking adjacent to the room. A short walk to restaurants and the centre of Whakatane. Wifi fast. I didn't try the TV which had ...

Reviewed on 28 Jan 2026

The Com Plex Motel
Awa Motel

Awa Motel

4.5 out of 5
15 The Strand Whakatane
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$145 per night from 12 Feb to 13 Feb
NZ$145
12 Feb - 13 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! (629 reviews)
Stayed in Front Villa. Excellent staff. Amazing layout with separate living room, kitchen, bedroom c/w ensuite and entrance hall. No a/c but room fans worked. I highly recommend staying there.

Reviewed on 2 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 13 Feb to 14 Feb
NZ$148
13 Feb - 14 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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (100 reviews)
Room was clean and had all the amenities that you would need. The chairs in the room had broken legs but the manager was going to move us to another room but we got him just to replace the chairs, very apologetic and helpful

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel
See all 148 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.
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!
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (92 reviews)
Very satisfactory, good shower water pressure, very clean, good place to stay

Reviewed on 3 Oct 2025

Stunning holiday home close to beach
right in the town centre

right in the town centre

Whakatane Whakatane
Stay at this holiday home in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Whakatane River Walk and Wairere Falls are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (38 reviews)
Ideal location close to everything you need. Equiped with all the necessary. Beds were super comfortable and bonus that there was a washer and drier. Only downside was the lawns were quite long, the rubbish bin was full and the shower head may need replacing as the water was just dribbling out. Other ...

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2025

right in the town centre
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

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

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

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

Whakatane District Museum and Gallery

You can spend time studying the exhibits at Whakatane District Museum and Gallery in Whakatane. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Whakatane District Museum and Gallery

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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