Whakatane

Whakatane located on a harbour at the mouth of the Whakatane River, on the eastern Bay of Plenty on the North Island.

Sunset over the Whakatane River, after 4 days of heavy rain. Above: A statue of Wairaka, in commemoration of her brave deed when she brought a waka (canoe) safely to shore when it started to drift out to sea after the men had disembarked, leaving the women and children on board. It was a traditional Maori tapu that women could not steer waka.