Tairua and Pauanui

The twin harbour towns on the Peninsula’s east coast, Tairua and Pauanui, offer a superb setting beside the Pacific Ocean. Close by is Paku, a twin-coned Maori pa sculptured hillside that was once an island while offshore you can find the Slipper, Shoe and Alderman Islands.

A number of charter and fishing boats operate from the wharves and the beaches are perfect for safe swimming and surfing. A passenger ferry links the two towns, as it is a long drive around the harbour. The area has a number of great walks and many activities including game fishing, canoeing and horse trekking.

Tairua is the older of the two towns and originally a milling and farming community. Across the water is Pauanui, where Pauanui Glade Holiday Park is situated. Pauanui is a purpose-built holiday community that features the country’s first canal housing development.