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Department of Statistics

CHB Promotions

Hawke's Bay Tourism

About Central Hawke's Bay

General Information about the Central Hawke's Bay District

Central Hawke’s Bay District covers an area of 333,450 hectares with a population of 12,948.  It covers the area from Pukehou-north to Takapau-south, and from the western Ruahine ranges to the eastern coast.  Each of the four corners of the district has a marae.  These are: Pukehou, Kairakau, Rongo Maraeroa (at Porangahau) and Rakautatahi (at Takapau).

There are two main towns in Central Hawke’s Bay - Waipukurau and Waipawa - with a number of smaller townships including Otane, Takapau, Tikokino, Porangahau and Ongaonga; as well as several beach townships including Kairakau, Pourerere, Aramoana, Blackhead and Te Paerahi.

State Highway 2 runs through the centre of Central Hawke’s Bay leading south to Palmerston North and the Wairarapa and north to Hastings and Napier.  The nearest north and south cities to Waipukurau are Hastings, 50 kilometres, and Palmerston North, 108 kilometres.  It is 70 kilometres to Napier Port and 75 kilometres to Napier Airport.

 The railway runs through Central Hawke’s Bay with one station at Waipukurau.  This is the main line running from Wellington, via Palmerston North, to Napier. 

Detailed information on the population of Central Hawke’s Bay can be found on the Department of Statistics Website

Tourist information about Central Hawke's Bay can be found on the CHB Promotions website and the Hawkes Bay Tourism website.

Central Hawke's Bay in Pictures 

Information about Central Hawke's Bay Promotions

Link to Hawke's Bay Regional Guide 2011/2012 for information on all services available through the local councils

Information about the Civic Theatre, Waipukurau

Information about and link to the Business Information Zone website

Information about local services offered in Central Hawke's Bay and contact deals for:

  • Age Concern
  • Central Hawke's Bay Budget Services
  • CHB Cancer Support
  • CHB Support & Counselling services
  • Citizen Advice Bureau
  • Grief Support
  • Heartland Services
  • Poisons
  • Power Faults
  • Victim Support
  • Youthline