Coastlands

Whakatane

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.
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.

Popular places to visit


Top hotels in Coastlands

The Com Plex Motel

The Com Plex Motel

3 out of 5
39 The Strand Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is P5,110 per night from Feb 23 to Feb 24
P5,110
P5,876 total
Feb 23 - Feb 24
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! (402 reviews)
Motel was new. Room was very clean and was stylish. Reception staff were friendly and welcoming. The room was equipped with kettle, microwave, mugs, crockery and cutlery. Parking adjacent to the room. A short walk to restaurants and the centre of Whakatane. Wifi fast. I didn't try the TV which had ...

Reviewed on Jan 28, 2026

The Com Plex Motel
Awa Motel

Awa Motel

4.5 out of 5
15 The Strand Whakatane
The price is P4,522 per night from Feb 12 to Feb 13
P4,522
P5,200 total
Feb 12 - Feb 13
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (629 reviews)
Stayed in Front Villa. Excellent staff. Amazing layout with separate living room, kitchen, bedroom c/w ensuite and entrance hall. No a/c but room fans worked. I highly recommend staying there.

Reviewed on Feb 2, 2026

Awa Motel
Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

2.5 out of 5
57 The Strand Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is P4,524 per night from Feb 13 to Feb 14
P4,524
P5,202 total
Feb 13 - Feb 14
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! (100 reviews)
Room was clean and had all the amenities that you would need. The chairs in the room had broken legs but the manager was going to move us to another room but we got him just to replace the chairs, very apologetic and helpful

Reviewed on Jan 25, 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 P2,973 per night from Feb 13 to Feb 14
P2,973
P3,419 total
Feb 13 - Feb 14
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
One88 On Commerce

One88 On Commerce

4.5 out of 5
188 Commerce Street Whakatane Bay of Plenty
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P5,793 per night from Feb 13 to Feb 14
P5,793
P6,661 total
Feb 13 - Feb 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (565 reviews)
Room was absolutly amaizng, in every way possible! Everything about this place stood out.

Reviewed on Jan 25, 2026

One88 On Commerce
Ōhope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

Ōhope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

2.5 out of 5
367 Harbour Road Ohope
The price is P3,875 per night from Feb 11 to Feb 12
P3,875
P4,534 total
Feb 11 - Feb 12
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach holiday park in Ohope. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Ohope International Golf Club and Ohiwa ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (18 reviews)
The cabin was fantastic, great view of the ocean, Very family friendly, and the price was excellent for 5 nights, was very reasonable. We will be returning later this year

Reviewed on Jan 31, 2026

Ōhope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
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.

Other neighbourhoods around Coastlands

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, Wairere Falls and Mataatua: The House That Came Home are top sights worth seeing.

Whakatāne Town
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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
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Maraetotara

If you're spending some time in Maraetotara, Bay of Plenty and Otarawairere Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Maraetotara


Coastlands