Te Mata Peak

The basics

Te Mata Peak makes a stunning contrast to the plains and wineries of the Hawke’s Bay region. It’s also steeped in Māori legend and said to be the prostrate body of a handsome chief. You can hike or mountain bike through a grove of redwoods; hang glide or paraglide from the cliffs; ride a funky supertrike to the top; or drive to the summit for sweeping views. Te Mata Peak is a fixture of many Hawke’s Bay tours, which combine it with wine or cheese tasting.

Things to know before you go

• Public toilets are available at both the Main Gates and Tauroa Road entrances to Te Mata Park.

• Te Mata Park has an extensive network of hiking and biking trails. The longest hiking trails take about 2.5 hours, but there are other shorter options, too.

• There’s no fee to enter Te Mata Park or to walk or drive up Te Mata Peak.

How to get there

Te Mata Peak is 3 miles (5 kilometers) southeast of Havelock North, which takes about 10 minutes to drive. There are two entrances to Te Mata Park: the Main Gates Car Park and the Tauroa Road Car Park. The two entrances are not too far from each other. Unless you’re on a guided tour, you’ll need a vehicle to reach Te Mata Park and the peak.

When to get there

The roads into Te Mata Park are closed overnight. As this is primarily a destination to enjoy the outdoors and the views, it’s best to visit during the day anyway. Don’t worry if you want to see the sunset from the peak, though: the gates don’t close until 9-10pm.

Where to drink wine with views of Te Mata Peak

Hawke’s Bay is best known as the largest wine-producing region in the North Island, so sampling a glass of local wine before or after visiting Te Mata Peak makes a lot of sense. Havelock North is the nearest town to Te Mata Peak and is home to many wineries and cellar doors. There are also wineries in nearby Hastings and Napier, but you’ll find the best views of Te Mata Peak from Havelock North.