Whakatane

Travel 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

If you're spending some time in Whakatāne Town, Te Papaka & Puketapu and Wairere Falls are top sights worth seeing.

Whakatāne Town
Default Image

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

Though Coastlands might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Wairere Falls and Te Manuka Tutahi Marae.

Coastlands
Default Image

Poroporo

While there might not be top attractions in Poroporo, you can explore the larger area and discover places 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ￥12,981 per night from Feb 3 to Feb 4
￥12,981
￥14,995 total
Feb 3 - Feb 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (400 reviews)
The room was modern and clean. The staff were lovely and very helpful with all our odd requests. The unit had everything we needed and more. The location was great because it was so close to Whakatane city center and close to the road going to Ohope when we wanted to go to the beach.

Reviewed on Jan 14, 2026

The Com Plex Motel
Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

2.5 out of 5
57 The Strand Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is ￥13,192 per night from Jan 30 to Jan 31
￥13,192
￥15,236 total
Jan 30 - Jan 31
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private hot tubs. Popular attractions Wairere Falls and Whakatane River Walk are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (99 reviews)
Staff were very lovely some of the rooms need some work mainly the bathrooms but all in all great location

Reviewed on Jan 9, 2026

Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel
Whakatane Holiday Park

Whakatane Holiday Park

2 out of 5
1 Mcgarvey Rd Whakatane Bay Of Plenty
The price is ￥7,813 per night from Feb 1 to Feb 2
￥7,813
￥8,985 total
Feb 1 - Feb 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this holiday park in Whakatane. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Whakatane District Museum and Gallery and Pohaturoa ...
9/10 Wonderful! (230 reviews)
Clean and modern holiday unit with full kitchen and plenty of space for a family

Reviewed on Jan 6, 2026

Whakatane Holiday Park
See all 145 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 vacation home in Whakatane. Enjoy free WiFi, 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 vacation home in Whakatane. Enjoy free WiFi, 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 Oct 3, 2025

Stunning holiday home close to beach
right in the town centre

right in the town centre

Whakatane Whakatane
Stay at this vacation home in Whakatane. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Whakatane River Walk and Wairere Falls are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (37 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 Oct 26, 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

Though Whakatane Hospital might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Whakatane while you are here.

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 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

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 studying the exhibits at Mataatua: The House That Came Home in 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

Reviews of Whakatane

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 80%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 20%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Wonderful town! Wish we had more time to stay there longer.