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Centennial Gardens
Woah! A massive waterfall right in the middle of Napier! There may be an artificial pump system in play, but we dont mind – its still an impressive sight. Ducks, rockeries and flower beds revolve around the ponds below.
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Forrester Gallery
Housed in a temple-like former bank building, the Forrester Gallery has an excellent collection of regional and NZ art. Its a good place to see works by Colin McCahon, one of NZs most significant modern artists.
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Cable Car Lookout
Theres a terrific vantage point at the top of Wellingtons cable car tracks. Ride up the hill, ogle the view over the city and Cook Strait, then wander back down through the greenery of Wellington Botanic Gardens .
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North Head
North Head was a Māori pa and is still a fortress of sorts, with the navy maintaining a presence. Its riddled with tunnels; started at the end of the 19th century in response to the Russian threat and extended during WWI and WWII.
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Nelson Provincial Museum
This modern museum space is filled with cultural heritage and natural history exhibits which have a regional bias, as well as regular touring exhibitions (for which admission fees vary). It also features a great rooftop garden.
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Great Exhibition Bay
On the east coast, Great Exhibition Bay has dazzling snow-white silica dunes. There’s no public road access, but some tours pay a koha (donation) to cross Māori farmland or approach the sand by kayak from Parengarenga Harbour.
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Government Gardens
The manicured English-style Government Gardens surrounding the Rotorua Museum are pretty as a picture, with roses aplenty, steaming thermal pools dotted about and civilised amenities such as croquet lawns and bowling greens.
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Lake Moeraki
Alongside the highway and within the bounds of the World Heritage wilderness, Lake Moeraki is an undeveloped and tranquil spot to contemplate the forested, mountainous surroundings. Theres a car park at the southeastern end.
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St Peters Anglican Church
Graciously restored in 2015, this 1864 Anglican gem features extensive exposed timbers, stained glass and an historic organ, and it has a few stories to tell. Well worth a look whether youre godly or not.
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Whangarei Falls
Short walks around these 26m-high falls provide views of the water cascading over the edge of an old basalt lava flow. The falls can be reached on the Tikipunga bus ($3, no service on Sundays), leaving from Rose St in the city.
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Mission Estate Winery
NZ’s oldest winery (1851!). Follow the looong tree-lined driveway up the hill to the restaurant (mains $28 to $35, serving lunch and dinner) and cellar door, inside a magnificently restored seminary. Call to book a guided tour.
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Wind Wand
The wonderfully eccentric Wind Wand at Puke Ariki Landing was designed by Len Lye – the artist who has put this town on the map in modern times. This 45m-high kooky kinetic sculpture is a truly beloved icon of bendy pole-ness.
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Petone Settlers Museum
On the shell-strewn Petone foreshore, the art-deco Petone Settlers Museum recalls local migration and settlement in its endearing Tatou Tatou exhibition. Its a 10-minute drive from downtown Wellington, or a short ride on the 83 bus.
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Hahei Beach
Long, lovely Hahei Beach is made more magical by the view to the craggy islands in the distance. From the southern end of Hahei Beach, it’s a 15-minute walk up to Te Pare, a pa (fortified village) site with splendid coastal views.
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Morton Estate
Channeling Cape Dutch architecture from South Africas wine country, Morton Estate is one of NZ’s bigger wineries and sits on SH2 8km south of Katikati. Its open for tastings and stock-ups: try the smooth-as-cream chardonnay.
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Kahungunu Marae
Not far from the Nuhaka roundabout is Kahungunu Marae. From the roadside (its not open to the public), check out the carving at the house’s apex: a standing warrior holding a taiaha (spear), less stylised than most traditional carving.
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Hakiaha Street
At the street’s eastern end is Hauaroa Whare, a beautifully carved house. At the western end, Te Rohe Potae memorialises King Tawhiao’s assertion of his mana (authority) over the King Country in a sculpture of a top hat on a large rock.
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Glenfalloch Woodland Garden
Expect spectacular harbour views at this 12-hectare garden, filled with flowers, walking tracks and swaying, mature trees, including a 1000-year-old matai. Theres also a good restaurant on site. The Portobello bus stops out the front.
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AH Reed Memorial Kauri Park
A grove of immense 500-year-old kauri trees has been preserved in this lush tract of native bush, where a cleverly designed boardwalk leads you effortlessly up into the canopy. To get here, head north on Bank St and turn right into Whareora Rd.
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Maiki
Overlooking Russell, this is the hill where Hone Heke chopped down the flagpole four times. You can drive up but the view justifies a climb. Take the track west from the boat ramp along the beach at low tide, or head up Wellington St.
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