Te Mata Peak is located just South of Hastings, behind Havelock North, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. The spectacular display of rugged green hills begs to be explored, all in which can be done on it’s multiple hiking and mountain bike trails. Being 399 metres in elevation from sea level, the trail entails a number of steep inclines. But don’t worry, I promise the views make a great distraction from your burning quads.
The hike begins at the Tauroa Road, where a car park and information board can be found, showing the various hikes and mountain bike trails that can be taken, each differing in difficulty, time and most importantly, scenery! Each trail has a coloured arrows and markers in which help guide you through your chosen route. After hiking the trail at mid-day in Summer, I’d strongly recommend doing this walk in the cooler months, or opting for early morning or late afternoon in the warmer months to avoid the sweltering heat and humidity. I took the yellow trail in which takes approximately 2 hours and is moderatley challenging.
The first half an hour is relatively easy as you follow the path entwining the forrest floor and paddock trails in which hug the side of steep hills and shallow cliff faces. Surrounded by native wild flowers and the sound of cicadas chirping, you can feel yourself slowly immerse into nature with every minute that goes by. One of the first places that made me stop in my tracks was the Giant red wood forrest. As the name suggests, there is an area in which homes a plethora of red wood trees imported from the Americas. Despite only being 80 years old, the sheer size of these trees are mesmerising. The forrest floor also boasts a number of running streams in which create a cooling microclimate, attracting beautiful insects such as butterflies and birds which only add to the atmosphere.
As I walked up stream of flowing streams of water that cascaded over river rocks, the trail lead into a number of paddocks that can be entered through wooden gates. The dirt road snakes up the peak of a hill in which slowly begins to expose the raw beauty of the landscape. From dramatic hills, to sprawling vineyards, all is revealed on the ascend.
The summit is the perfect place to snap some shots and understand the true meaning and importance of Te Mata Peak within Maori culture. At a certain angle, you may notice that the hills that make up Te Mata peak resemble a man laying on his back in which is deeply steeped into Maori legend. It is believed that the Maori chief Te Mata, fell in love with the daughter of his rival. To prove his worthiness to the maiden, he ate through the rocky range and died with his body now being embedded within the hills. This incredible phenomena is referred to as the sleeping giant by the locals.
It takes an additional 30 minutes until the end of the walk, in which you will find yourself at the furtherest point of Tauroa Road, where you can walk down the road to the car park.
Once you have finished the walk, you can head to the nearest town of Hastings and try a vino at the local wineries, travel to the art deco capital, Napier and admire the world famous architecture, or even head to the refreshing coastline where you can wade in the refreshing waters. Either way, the hike is a great way to start or end your day in the incredible Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand.
Wander Mak 
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