Hawkes Bay photos

About the Hawkes Bay

Explore photos of Hawke’s Bay’s dramatic coastlines, golden beaches, rugged cliffs and sweeping ocean views across this beautiful New Zealand region.

Hawke’s Bay is a region on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, centred around the cities of Napier and Hastings. It is known for its warm, dry climate, broad coastal plains, rolling hill country and long stretches of Pacific coastline. The region’s landscape ranges from vineyards and orchards to beaches, river valleys and rugged inland ranges.

The area is one of New Zealand’s best-known food and wine regions, particularly for red wines such as Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Chardonnay. Its fertile soils support extensive apple, stone-fruit and vegetable growing, while farmers’ markets, wineries and restaurants play an important part in the local economy and visitor experience. Napier is especially famous for its Art Deco architecture, much of which was built after the devastating 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake.

Hawke’s Bay also has a strong Māori history and identity, with many important iwi and hapū connections across the region. Popular attractions include Cape Kidnappers, Te Mata Peak, Ocean Beach, Waimārama, the wineries around Hastings and the coastal attractions of Napier. The combination of scenery, climate, history and food culture gives Hawke’s Bay a distinctive character within New Zealand.

For older photos of the Hawkes Bay, see Virtual New Zealand.