Waipawa – Historic Buildings and Trails

Waipawa is one of New Zealand’s oldest inland towns. Its historic buildings tell stories of commerce, homes and community life; the one-hour Pavement Walk and the Tukituki Trail offer different perspectives. This makes it easy to combine local history with a walk or a hiking and cycling option.

Historic Buildings in Waipawa

The former Bank of New Zealand building at 23 Main Street is a Category 2 Historic Place and now houses a museum. The CHB Municipal Theatre is a historic, extensively restored building in the centre of Waipawa. For many years, it has been used for community events, celebrations, performing arts and educational activities.

Waipawa’s oldest commercial building, dating from around 1870, stands at 51–55 Ruataniwha Street. The Pines at 2 Rose Street is considered the town’s oldest house. St Peter’s Church (Anglican) at 52 Kenilworth Street is also a Category 2 Historic Place. The church is listed as privately owned.

Walking, Cycling and Golf

The Waipawa Pavement Walk is an easy, one-hour walk to significant historic places, including the old town centre, churches, the railway and former shops. It starts at the Heritage Trail board in the car park next to the Central Hawke’s Bay Museum. The walk focuses on Waipawa’s local history; the Tukituki Trail connects the town to a longer route between Waipukurau and Waipawa.

The Tukituki Trail runs mostly along flat limestone paths beside the Tukituki River and is suitable for hiking and cycling. A limestone section is connected to Waipawa Township by road. In the wider Central Hawke's Bay District destination, the Tukituki Trail is also a network of tracks for walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers and horse riders. Motor vehicles are not permitted on the tracks. Conditions of use may change after flooding or maintenance work, so check the latest conditions before setting out.

Another activity is offered by the Waipawa Golf Club, with its traditional 12-hole golf course near the Waipawa River. As the course layout may change, it is advisable to check it before planning a round of golf.

Duck Day and Regional Landscapes

The Waipawa Spring Festival, also known as Duck Day, is a Central Hawke’s Bay tradition that has been running since 1995. The 2026 Duck Day, held at Nelly Jull Park in Waipawa, featured market stalls, food trucks, live music and entertainment for all ages. The programme may vary from one edition to the next; check the details for the relevant edition when planning a future visit.

Other landscapes feature in the wider Central Hawke's Bay District destination. A’Deanes Bush Scenic Reserve covers 38.5 hectares of remnant original forest on the Ruataniwha Plains, characterised by mataī and kahikatea trees. Te Angiangi Marine Reserve protects 446 hectares of the Central Hawke’s Bay coastline between Aramoana and Blackhead and was established in 1997. Visitors can explore rock pools on its extensive tidal platform and may see octopuses, crayfish, sea anemones and migratory shorebirds.

Pukeora Lookout above Waipukurau offers panoramic views of the Tukituki River, Waipawa, surrounding farmland and the Ruahine Ranges.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Havelock North, Eskdale, Urewera National Park, Raukawa, Puketapu, Haumoana, Elsthorpe, Bridge Pa.

Back to the main travel overview: Hawkes Bay.