Looking for general recreation information?
Art and culture
Sports
The outdoors
Golf and cycling are popular as are wilderness adventures like trout fishing and rafting.
Hawke’s Bay | Tourism New Zealand
Upcoming events | Hawke’s Bay Tourism
Sport and recreation
The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council provides a range of recreation facilities including sports grounds, parks and gardens. Your local community center may also run many different activities and groups for the community to join.
The Napier Aquatic Centre page has information about the facilities and prices of their swimming pools in the area.
Hastings District Council has a wide range of recreation facilities, from neighbourhood playgrounds to pools and water theme parks to sports grounds.
Napier Aquatic Centre
Hastings leisure facilities
Hawke’s Bay community centres | Citizen’s Advice Bureau
Sports clubs and social groups
New Zealanders enjoy a huge range of sporting activities – the Sport New Zealand website lists everything from Aikido to Zen Do Kai! Check the site to see what’s available in your area and how you can get involved. Joining a club or team is a great way to meet people.
Find a sport | Sport New Zealand
Clubs in Hawke’s Bay | CAB
Outdoors
There are many opportunities to stretch your legs, clear your lungs and get close to nature on the walkways and tracks you’ll find wherever you go in New Zealand. Check the Department of Conservation site to find the great walks available in the Hawke’s Bay region. There’s also plenty of parks and open spaces around town. Check out Napier Council’s page for more information.
Walks in the Hawke’s Bay | DOC
Parks and reserves | Napier Council
Parks | Hastings District Council
Playgrounds
Hawke’s Bay offers plenty of opportunities for children to play in safe playgrounds, including a number of skateboard parks. Check these sites to find the one nearest to you
Playgrounds | Napier Council
Playgrounds | Hastings District Council
Hunting and fishing rules
Check the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Fish and Game NZ websites for full information to enjoy the region’s recreational hunting and freshwater fishing opportunities. The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has information about the rules of fishing in the sea.
It is very important to be aware of restrictions as there can be serious penalties for breaching them.
Hawke’s Bay | Fish and Game NZ
Hunting in Hawke’s Bay | DOC
Hawkes Bay and central area fishing rules | MPI
Dog regulations
New Zealand has various laws about looking after and controlling dogs. Councils each have their own bylaws. You can check what you need to know with your local council.
Dog owners | Napier Council
Animals | Hastings District Council
Animal control | Wairoa District Council
Cycling
The Hawke’s Bay features great tracks through beautiful scenery. Find out more about the tracks available in the region at the NZ by Bike website.
Museums and galleries
There are a number of museums and art galleries to visit in the Hawke’s Bay region. You’ll find details of each on the NZ Museums website and the Hawke’s Bay Tourism site.
Hawke’s Bay | NZ Museums
Art, Design and culture | Hawke’s Bay NZ
Shopping
Many of the shops in Napier are in the compact inner city
Shopping centres | Napier NZ
Shops | Havelock North NZ
Markets
There are many community markets around the region selling crafts, second-hand goods, and in particular delicious local produce.
