Pauanui
Situated on the North Island of New Zealand, Pauanui is the Maori name for big abalone and this delightful township on the Coromandel is a retreat by the sea and bountiful in everything the ocean has to offer. Paunui shares a harbour with its neighbour Tairua and the two towns are a short ferry ride away from one another. Tairua is the older timber milling settlement with quaint arts and crafts and cafes and Pauanui a popular holiday destination with 3km of beach and great surf breaks and shore fishing. Kayaking and spear fishing are popular pastimes. Offshore from Pauanui are the islands of Slipper, Shoe and the Aldermans. Guided fishing charters take you to the best spots for catching snapper and kingfish which are amongst New Zealand’s prized catches. The Alderman Islands are known as one of New Zealand’s top dive sites.
The deep waters are rich in marine life and kelp covered outcrops. Schools of mackerel, tuna and Maomao pass by frequently and the steep drop offs make for exceptional dives. Slipper Island is the biggest and most accessible island and has some fantastic walks, safe snorkelling and great wrecks to explore. Dive charters and scenic tours depart daily from both Tairua and Pauanui if you can drag yourself away from the rolling surf and sandy beaches on the mainland. There are a wide range of accommodation choices in the area including world renowned Puka Park Resort which has an 18 hole golf course, clay target shooting and archery set in 25 acres of native bush. Personalised half, full and three day walking tours including glow worm caves, Maori culture and rainforest highlights depart from Pauanui on a regular basis. Make sure you pick up a copy of the Home grown Food Trail for a detailed map of places to visit in the Coromandel Penninsula who specialise in local produce.
Take your taste buds on a tour of cheeses, seafood, nuts and organic fruit and vege. Visit the best cafes and restaurants in the region on this self guided drive. The Twin tides restaurant in Tairua is set aboard the permanently docked ferry SS Ngoiro which has been lovingly restored to her former beauty and provides a beautiful location for dinner. Pauanui has its own airstrip only 30 minutes from Auckland and twenty minutes from both Tauranga and Hamilton. It is well used by private flights who over the years have had the rare ability to taxi right up to their houses. There is a thriving flying club at the airport. The local shopping centres are a friendly and relaxed blend of cafes, food shops and boutiques with a distinct beachside atmosphere. Pauanui is situated two hours south of Auckland and 30 minutes east from Thames.