Tourism and Marine

With strong growth in both domestic and international visitors, the region continues to attract new and innovative tourism offerings. Whakatāne is developing its stunning riverfront to ensure that all visitors experience the best that the region has to offer, with great dining, leading accommodation and shopping, and genuine cultural experiences.

The new Whakatāne Boat Harbour (www.terahui.nz) will soon be providing safe access to the water for the many boat operators that call the region home. This harbour is the result of a unique partnership between Ngāti Awa, Te Rāhui Lands Trust and Whakatāne District Council partnership and is designed to allow safe harbour for tourism boats and pleasure boat owners and to accelerate business growth for the region’s two main boat builders, Surtees and Extreme Boats. Whakatāne is proud to have these boat builders located here, as two of the top three boat builders in New Zealand exporting around the globe.