Maketu population: 1,240
Paengaroa population: 910

Maketu is an area steeped in history, while Paengaroa has a number of attractions to suit any traveller.

Located about 15 minutes from Te Puke, Maketu was the landing place of Te Arawa canoe following the migration of early Maori from Hawaiki. A memorial on the foreshore commemorates the landing.

Maketu is also a favourite place for swimming, boating and fishing, and during the winter locals gather whitebait. The privately-owned Newdicks beach is a rockier beach than most of the region’s beaches, and it’s a popular spot for horse-back riding.

Further along State Highway 2 is Paengaroa, known as “The Junction.” The village has a large number of tourism attractions and accommodation all set in proximity to both beaches and kiwifruit orchards. The area has great cafés and activities that make the most of the local scenery.