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Story: Bay of Plenty places

The Strand, Whakatāne

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The Strand, Whakatāne

Whakatāne, one of the sunniest and warmest towns in New Zealand, has a relaxed, near-subtropical feel. The rock face behind the bus shelter is Pōhaturoa. It has long been tapu (sacred) to Te Whakatōhea people. Chiefs of the tribe placed their signatures on a copy of the Treaty of Waitangi there in 1840.

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How to cite this page

Malcolm McKinnon, Bay of Plenty places – Whakatāne, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/5726/the-strand-whakatane (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Malcolm McKinnon, published 2 March 2009, updated 1 July 2015.