Welcome to our Playground: Untouched coastline, bush cloaked ranges, sparkling fish-filled rivers...
The Tararua region stretches from the ridges of the Ruahine and Tararua ranges, to the shores of the Pacific. Tararua encompasses the townships of Norsewood, Dannevirke, Woodville, Pahiatua, Eketahuna,and Pongaroa as well as the coastal areas of Akitio and Herbertville.
Tararua Country offers a unique experience from long golden beaches with the surf rolling in to rivers for great fishing; containing some of the best Brown Trout in New Zealand. Anglers come from far and wide to fish the "five Ms", the Mangahao, Makuri, Mangatainoka, Makakahi, and the Manawatu rivers. The western boundary of Tararua includes both the Tararua and Ruahine State Forest Parks, (the kind that trampers and hunters dream about). There are numerous interesting bushwalks and huts for the adventurous.
We have converted an old bank, situated in the heart of Dannevirke, into a Cafe - Restaurant, click here for more information...
Visit the world famous National Wildlife Centre, New Zealand's rarest birds are carefully conserved; in a project to protect the rare and endangered at the wildlife reserve of Pukaha Mount Bruce. View the majestic turbines of Tararua Wind Power and Te Apiti. Tararua Wind Farm is currently the southern hemisphere's largest wind farm, along with Te Apiti's huge modern wind turbines standing as the sentinels on the landscape gracefully turning to the wind's tune and creating an environmentally friendly power source. Take a tour of the historic Tui Brewery; entrepreneur Henry Wagstaff started the Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka in 1889.
Whether your experience of our rural hospitality is wrapped in the luxury of a lovingly restored country homestead or the rugged charm of a beach-side cabin, there's no shortage of options to accommodate individuals, families or friends.
Rich in cultural heritage and history, Tararua is made up of many communities, and offers a diverse range of activities. Enjoy a slice of New Zealand at it's very best! - enjoy Tararua Country.
A taste to savour... from local cheesecake to a New Zealand award winning restaurant experience - you choose. At the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, Tararua is the perfect place for travellers to rest.
State Highway 2 is the main route through the region. Travel North from Wellington or South from Hawke's Bay to come to this region.
Akitio Beach, on the east coast of the Tararua District
