Location & Activities

Porangahau is a coastal village in Central Hawke’s Bay and a paradise for fishing and diving. As one of New Zealand’s oldest settlements, it is steeped in history with Chapelwick being the original Homestead of the Porangahau Station established in 1854. We are surrounded by typical coastal New Zealand farmland, farming sheep and cattle.

The 4km-long sandy beach and river mouth on our doorstep offers all kinds of activities including swimming, surfing, fishing, diving, hunting, coastal walks, horse trekking and blo-karting to name but a few.

Porangahau is home of 'The longest place name in the world', which is 85 letters long and officially entered in the Guinness Book of Records. It is still owned by the descendants of Tamatea Pokai Whenua:

Taumata whakatangi hangakoauau o tamatea turi pukakapiki maunga horo nuku pokai whenua kitanatahu

Translated, this means: The hilltop where Tamatea, with big knees, conqueror of mountains, eater of land, traveller over land and sea, played his flute to his beloved.

A three-hour guided tour is available by request. This comprises a gentle walk up through a working farm, then back down through rejuvenating bush. Along the way guides will point out places of cultural interest and share local stories and songs. The guides also say that by the end of the walk you will be able to say the longest place name. A self-guided walk is another option.

The Porangahau Country Club has its own 9-hole golf course, offering a true links experience for all players. There are also four new all weather tennis courts available for hire.

It’s just a short drive to more local golf courses – there are several close by, including Flemington, Waipawa, Waipukurau, Takapau and Onga Onga or slightly further afield to the renowned international courses at Bridge Pa and Cape Kidnappers. See our Golf Packages for more details.

Visits to the local marae are also available by appointment. Your visit includes a Powhiri or formal welcome, morning tea, and an introduction to maori culture and stories inside the Whare Nui (Meeting House).

Wine tasting is available at local vineyards Lime Rock, Pukeora & Junction Wine, or it’s just a further 20-minute drive into the heart of Hawke's Bay Wine Country.

We are happy to give local advice to help you plan your activities or make bookings for tours or excursions.

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Nearby Attractions

Visit the local Seal Colony at Cape Turnagain
Porangahau Beach & River Mouth
Diving - Whangaehu reefs, Blackhead Point “The Wreck” and Te Angiangi reserve
Clay Bird Shooting
Polo 'The Game of Kings'. Witchwood Polo is owned by Brett and Sammy Hamer. The polo season runs from November through to the end of March and in that time the ponies are in work. They offer polo tuition at their farm where they have an indoor sand arena and private polo field. Lessons are given by Brett who has played Polo professionally in England for 10 years off 2 goals or another qualified instructor. Depending on your riding capability you are taught to ride, the rules of the game, stick and ball skills and at the end play a slow game of polo! On a Thursday evening we open up Business House Polo where you get a chance to play a game of polo with both learners and experienced players.

Horse trekking - Farm or beach ride.
Dine at The Duke of Edinburgh historic pub
Walks - Central Hawkes Bay Walks & Tracks
Trout fishing - Central Hawke's Bay has dozens of rivers laden with trout
Hunting
Duck shooting
Outdoor and water-based activities such as 4-wheel drive safaris, diving, surfing, kayaking
Wine Tasting