Hawke’s Bay is considered New Zealand’s showcase for heritage trail development, with 17 trails created since 1991, a higher number than any other region.
Early trails covered Waimarama, Highway 50 in Central Hawke’s Bay and the Napier waterfront, which has since been incorporated into the Ahuriri Walk. The newest trails help visitors explore the Morere district in Northern Hawke’s Bay and the heritage areas of Havelock North.
The trails are aimed at guiding visitors around cultural, historical and other interesting highlights, helping them discover the ‘real’ Hawke’s Bay. The trails are popular because visitors can do all, or part, of a trail in their own time, any time of the year, using information brochures and trail signs to guide them. Best of all, the trails are a free activity.
One of our proudest achievements is that this tremendous work developing trails throughout New Zealand has been accomplished almost exclusively through volunteer efforts, fundraising and sheer determination.
The Heritage Trail Foundation is a member of Green Globe, the world wide environmental program for the travel and tourism industry, and won the American Society of Travel Agents and Smithsonian Magazine Environmental Award. This award recognises and honours those individuals, countries or organisations that have made a significant impact in preserving and protecting the environment.
