The sunny beaches of Napier offer the majority of surfing options in the area, leading down to Cape Kidnappers gannet colony on the eastern tip of Hawkes bay. Like so much of New Zealand, the Cape was named by Captain Cook, in this case, after a Maori local attempt to abduct a member of the crew from Cook's ship.

There are plenty of great tourist attractions in Hawke's Bay to choose from. A visit to one of the region's famous wineries should be high on your list of things to do. Pre book a Winery Tour where you can experience many of Hawkes Bay's finest wines and also enjoy the stunning scenery along the way.

It is possible to explore the more rustic aspects of wine country, with guided and unguided tours through orchards, and farms as well as the less commonly known honey, cheese and chocolate tours. Like most of New Zealand, the inhabitants of the area are known for their hospitality, and a great way to interact with these locals.

There are more than 30 wineries in Hawkes Bay open for tastings, many of which have relaxing dining options. Explore the vineyards of Hawkes Bay by car, or rent a mountain bike for the trip. A few more active options include fishing and kayaking the Mohaka or Tukituki River, paragliding from Te Mata Peak.

The area's celebration of Matariki, the Maori New Year, is reputedly brilliant. Events are planned from the beginning of June and extend to the end of the month throughout the region.

Of the cultural attractions, we recommend visiting the Hawke's bay Museum and Art Gallery, or join a tour with a wide range of personally guided experiences. The National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier is also well worth a visit. If you have half a day to spare, we highly recommend experiencing the world's largest most accessible mainland colony of Gannets at Cape Kidnappers.