Havelock North: Trails, Gardens and Art

Havelock North combines a striking landscape with historic gardens, art and discoveries related to honey. The 399-metre-high Te Mata Peak is set in a 99-hectare park in Havelock North. As a local historic site and cultural landmark, it shapes the character of the area and offers a special starting point for getting to know the landscape and its history.

Te Mata Peak and the park trails

Te Mata Park has an extensive network of well-maintained trails through varied landscapes, with scenic views and different gradients. This makes the trails an important consideration when planning your outings: you can choose based on the landscapes and gradients that interest you. Another trail is half a kilometre long and follows Karamu Stream, which flows through the village. It is considered to be of particular geological and ecological interest. The park also has several geocaches.

Te Mata Peak is also a significant launch site for foot-launched gliders; people have been flying there for more than 30 years. In the Hastings District, visitors can drive up Te Mata Peak Road to the summit. The park has been used for wedding photography and wedding ceremonies for many years. Public toilets are available at the main entrance to Te Mata Park and at the Tauroa Road entrance; check the current situation before your visit.

Historic houses and gardens

Duart House was built in 1882 and is set on three acres of manicured formal gardens with a croquet lawn. Important for planning your visit: the house is open to the public on the first Sunday of every month. Check the date before making definite plans to visit.

Keirunga Gardens covers 17 hectares of formal gardens and parkland. Keirunga Homestead is located in the gardens. The Keirunga Gardens Arts & Crafts Society is also based in the manicured gardens and courtyard; it provides community facilities for arts and crafts in the Hastings District. This means Havelock North’s historic and horticultural attractions sit alongside its connections to art and craft.

Art, honey and regional produce

Birdwoods Havelock North showcases New Zealand and African art and crafts. The selection ranges from stone and metal sculptures to textiles and collectibles, as well as furniture, jewellery, basketware, rugs and ceramics. Birdwoods also has a sculpture garden, a café and an old-fashioned sweet shop. This offers a different kind of discovery from the trails and gardens, with a focus on artworks and craft.

The Arataki Honey Visitor Centre offers free, self-guided visits without booking, with insights into honeybees and honey production. Observation hives allow visitors to explore the lives of bees up close and learn about their social structure. There is also a free tasting of 100% pure Arataki New Zealand Honey. As tour and tasting arrangements may change, check them before your visit.

Regional produce is also part of the offering: Black Barn Bistro showcases the region’s best produce. The Black Barn winery is also home to an amphitheatre with 2,000 seats. These places add culinary and event options to the cultural and landscape experiences.

Getting around the village and Hastings District

Boutique shops, dining, local events and outdoor experiences are all within walking distance of each other in Havelock North village. Havelock North is also well connected to the region’s cycle trails.

In the Hastings District, the Heritage Trails take visitors to cultural, historic and scenic highlights. They are open year-round, free to access and do not require booking. Also in the Hastings District, the Hawke’s Bay Trails offer 200 kilometres of easy cycling routes through the district and Napier; they are among New Zealand’s 23 Great Rides. These regional options provide an additional framework for planning your trip, while remaining distinct from Havelock North’s own character.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Urewera National Park, Wallingford, Haumoana, Waipukurau, Puketapu, Raukawa, Porangahau, Fernhill.

Return to the main travel overview: Hawkes Bay.