Discover Edgecumbe

Edgecumbe combines a distinctive local history with cultural connections and an established walkway in the town. The Edgecumbe War Memorial Hall stands at the intersection of Kauri Street and Main Street; Kaiwhakatere is the landing place of the ancestral canoes. When choosing a holiday rental, you can consider whether historical and cultural themes or getting active in town will shape your stay more.

Local history and cultural connections

The Edgecumbe War Memorial Hall was built in the 1950s and extensively renovated in 1990 following the 1987 earthquake. Its location on the corner of Kauri Street and Main Street makes it a part of the townscape. The hall includes indoor sports facilities, as well as a function room and kitchen for events. Its construction history and spaces give the building several distinct features, without implying that it is generally open to visitors.

Kaiwhakatere is also one of Edgecumbe’s cultural points of reference: it is the landing place of the ancestral canoes. Traditional harakeke, originally from Ria’s grandmother, grows in Papa Taonga Reserve. Ria, her mother and her grandmother used it for weaving. Its passing down through three generations connects a specific place with a family history of weaving.

Walkways and other ideas

The established Rangitāiki River Walkway runs from the Edgecumbe Squash and Tennis Club to the go-karting end of Edgecumbe Domain. These two named endpoints give the walkway a clear connection to the town for anyone wishing to include walks in their stay. There is also a skatepark on College Road. If you plan to visit, check the latest visitor information beforehand, as facility details may change.

Near Edgecumbe, artist and sculptor Maggie Fenton has created two acres of themed gardens intended to delight children. This may be of interest when planning a trip with children. Check whether access is possible before making specific plans to visit.

The wider Whakatane District

Beyond Edgecumbe, the Whakatane District offers another layer to consider when planning your trip. The district has more than 50 km of coastline; Te Urewera accounts for about 40 percent of its 4,400 km². The fertile Rangitāiki Plains are a growing area for kiwifruit, olives, citrus fruits, avocados and a wide variety of berries. These landscape and agricultural features relate to the Whakatane District as a whole, not to Edgecumbe itself.

There are also various options along the coast: Ōhope Beach stretches for 11 km, from the entrance to Ōhiwa Harbour to West End, with easily accessible white sand. Ōhiwa Harbour offers scenic views, walks, fishing and kayaking. Those interested in culture and history will find other distinct points of interest in the district. The Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Trail passes through Kōhī Point Scenic Reserve, Ōhope Scenic Reserve and Mokorua Scenic Reserve, and includes pā sites of great historical significance. Kaputerangi is considered one of New Zealand’s oldest settlements.

The Whakatāne Museum presents current and upcoming exhibitions in the Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi and Te Whare Taonga o Taketake galleries. As exhibition programmes change, it is worth checking the dates before visiting. The museum preserves more than 600,000 collection items and provides researchers, students and the public with a wide range of resources and services.

Choose your holiday rental based on the places you actually want to include in your stay. This lets Edgecumbe’s local features inform your decision alongside the region’s broader landscape, coastal and cultural attractions.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Matata, Whakatane, Ohope, Murupara, Nukuhou, Awakeri, Taneatua, Minginui

For the wider travel overview: Whakatane District.