Pippa B.'s
Best manicures
- 11A great manicure is just one service the professional team at Beauty Secrets provide. Along with manicures they do a full range of day spa treatments, facials, massage, hair removal, tanning, day spa, wedding packages and ball make-up.
- 21Andrea's Hair and BeautyHavelock NorthAlthough this establishment has been around for more than 30 years it’s grown with the times, capturing the latest trends and treatments for men and women. Along with top-class manicures and pedicures they’ll totally pamper you from head to toe.
- 31Nail GlamourGisborne CentralLet talented Mia loose on your nails and your fingers will do the talking. Put some sparkle in your life Add special effects, themed nails, art, diamante and glitter effects and put some sparkle in your life.
- 41Ten Salon Nail & SpaNapier SouthLie back and relax at Ten Saloon nail and spa and let the professionals add the polish. They specialise in nail and foot treatments, from spa pedicures and manicures to buff and polish, nail repairs and acrylics. OPI and Shellac gels. Lie back in a comfortable spa pedicure massage chair and enjoy the pampering.
- 51Exotic NailsHastings CentralInternationally trained and 17 years of experience mean you’re in good hands here. From a rejuvenating spa pedicure in a massage chair to a quick touch up. Or add acrylics, in-fills, gels, powder gel nails, shellac, French or the ultimate manicure.
Pippa B.'s
Super-value salads
- 12Tank Juice Bar NapierNapier CentralSuper-green, super-charged, chocker full of antioxidants and laden with real fruit and veges. An honest, healthy fast-food meal in a juice tank or salad and wrap. Additives, preservatives and GM foods are banned. Add a booster or super food shot for extra energy.
- 25Taste CornucopiaHastings CentralAlways a fresh green option in the counter food here. Fresh local goodness, wholesome organic food with an abundant range of salads. Chef and founder James Beck has just passed the reins over to Terry Kelly, but you can expect more of the same great stuff.
- 34Urban DeliNapier CentralA wide variety of choices at Urban Deli’s popular lunchtime salad bar. Healthy dietary options and yummy fresh baked artisan bread to go with it.
- 43Albion CanteenNapier CentralA city day eatery offering a choice of four enticing, healthy, substantial, seasonal salads. Designed to be a salad on the go or a quick bite to eat in.
- 53Clifton CafeTe AwangaTake advantage of the beautiful summer days and get on your bike or drive out to Clifton Café and dine alfresco on one of their delicious salad options – seafood, with lemon pepper squid and garlic prawns, Asian beef with coriander, mint and roasted cashew nuts, Tandoori chicken, or my favourite, the chicken Caesar.
Pippa B.'s
Top 5 Best Beaches.
- 14Marine ParadeNapier CentralMarine Parade was once a magnificent crowded swimming beach - that is until the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake lifted the ground nearly three metres resulting in a sharp drop off. It’s still not recommended for swimming when the big Pacific swells roll in, but for six summer weeks of the year the beach is manned by lifeguards from the Pacific Surf Life Saving Club, and is a true forgotten beauty on a calm sunny day with views across to Cape Kidnappers. If you need to warm up after a swim, the Ocean Spa sits just behind with three big heated pools and bubbling hot spas. Kids often take advantage of a paddle in the Tom Parker Fountain, built in 1936. Whether you are swimming or not, the area is a destination in itself. With the wide-paved Rotary pathway meandering through it’s the ultimate place to promenade in true Belle Epoque style back dropped with Napier’s famous Art Deco accessories or sit under the pohutakawa trees beachside or on the great lawn and admire the Soundshell, public gardens and The Colonnade Memorial.
- 24Waimarama BeachHavelock NorthWho said Hawke’s Bay doesn’t have any great beaches? Waimarama and neighbouring Ocean Beach offer everything a coastal beach should have. Community amenities, fishing, boat launching, surfing, sounds of beach laughter, the squeal of boogie boarders and insitu professional life guards in peak season for safe swimming. As you climb over the last hill and descend into the valley you get a glimpse of the long stretch of white sand, rows of white breakers and the surreal sight of the sand-coloured cliffs of Bare Island in the distance. Around Christmas the crimson blaze of the pohutakawa trees are at their peak.
- 32About an hour and half drive from Gisborne both private and Department of Conservation (DoC) campsites service this beautiful sheltered bay. The cost-effective DoC campsite is adjacent to the beach alongside a stream, surrounded by forest and coastal bush. Toilets are not provided so campers must have a chemical toilet and boil the water before drinking. There’s swimming, walking on the Anaura Bay Walkway at the northern end and more extensive tramping on the Mt Hikurangi Track, 80km north or Cooks Cove walkway 20km south. The Anaura Bay Family Motor Camp is also beachside and has a store and full amenities.
- 41Wainui BeachWainuiThe stunning white-sand Makorori and Wainui Beach coastline stretches 4km and is a surfer’s and body boarder’s mecca, noted for consistent surf breaks. The population of the small settlement 8km north of Gisborne increases dramatically over summer as the holiday baches fill up. There are lots of small reserves leading down to the beach, which is patrolled for safe swimming near the Wainui Surf Lifesaving Club, a choice of family picnicking areas and two children’s playgrounds. The locals ride their horses along the beach and walking tracks meander through the coastal dunes, where there is a memorial grave to the 59 sperm whales that stranded in 1970.
- 53Mahia PeninsulaMahiaClear blue waters lap both sides of this extensive farm-based peninsula on a calm day. It’s a short detour from the Gisborne-Napier Pacific Coast Highway and is known for fishing, diving, kayaking, surfing and swimming. It doesn’t matter which way the wind is blowing because you’ll find a sheltered beach on one side. Black’s Beach black-sand faces south with views to Napier, along with the more sheltered white-sanded Opoutama. Whereas Mahanga Beach and The Reefs face north toward Gisborne. Accommodation is plentiful with many choices and there are dining and pub options.
Pippa B.'s
Best Fishing Spots
- 14Waimarama BeachHavelock NorthJust 20 minutes’ drive from Havelock North is a beautiful long stretch of classic sandy golden beach overlooking the white cliffs of Motu-O-Kura, Bare Island and it’s classic beach fishing. Because of its facilities it’s a great place for a family day out and the budding young surfcaster, or the family can compete with the fish for tucker and dig for pipis. It’s a popular place for picking up crayfish and paua. The beach is patrolled in summer. Boats can be launched from the beach or you can hire a charter from Waimarama Jet Boat Tours.
- 21Mahanga BeachMahiaFacing north this sheltered spot is protected from the cold southerly winds – but brace yourself for a rigorous easterly. The five km surf beach offers beautiful views back to the Mahia Peninsula, a short drive away. There is 4-wheel-drive access at the far north end, although it’s only recommended three hours either side of low tide. Big tuatua beds run the length and attract some big snapper as well as gurnard, trevally, kahawai and kingfish.
- 31The Iron PotNapier SouthYoungsters can get amongst the big fellas at the historic Iron Pot in Napier’s inner harbour. Watch the action at the headquarters of the Hawke’s Bay Sports Fishing Club and the West Quay moorings when the commercial fishing boats land their catch. With loads of parking it’s the best and maybe only wharf fishing in The Bay. Safe, secluded and an easy spot to access you can tackle the harbour from all sides, with multiple access points to fish from – landings, wharves and an easily accessible jetty. If the wind blows up or you get a little bored there are numerous cafes and restaurants nearby.
- 41Fly Fishing GisborneGisborne CentralDon’t forget freshwater fishing in summer. The East Coast has some of the best trout fishing in New Zealand. What better way to spot these elusive fighting fish than hire a guide. Tony ‘Bones’ Murphy has 15 years experience and he knows the rivers and streams in the Gisborne area like his own backyard, including the Motu, Ruakituri, Waioeka, Hangoroa and Opato rivers. He offers helicopter and four-wheel drive fishing, hunting and shooting expeditions, with a variety of day trips or camping options and it doesn’t matter if you are a novice or an expert he promises a truly memorable time. But if trout fishing has you hooked don’t forget to investigate the Hawke’s Bay region. It’s just as good.
- 51Hicks Bay – WharekahikaGisborne CentralAt the far nor-eastern corner of the Gisborne district looking across the vast Pacific Ocean there’s fishing galore at Hick’s Bay and it’s a good place to start a leisurely 186km fishing road-trip down the Gisborne Coast. There’s safe fishing from the Hinemaureau Hicks Bay Wharf and the firm sandy beach is perfect to launch a boat from to access the beautiful clean beaches and their abundance of in-shore, rock and scuba fishing and diving. No boat? Hire a charter because it’s an hour to Ranfurly Banks, 25 nautical miles from East Cape, a top fishing spot where there’s big hapuka, kingfish, terakihi, and marlin and tuna in the game fishing season.
Pippa B.'s
Best Ice Creams
- 12Rush Munro's Ice Cream GardensSt LeonardsThis iconic ice creamery has been churning out ice cream since 1926. In that time they have become one of the most awarded boutique producers in New Zealand. Their latest accolade was The Supreme Award for Boutique Manufacturer at this year’s New Zealand Ice Cream Awards. It’s all natural, hand crafted, batch churned, with sun-ripened fruit, farm fresh cream and pure cane sugar and all very yummy. Of the 22 flavours there are loads of gluten-free options available, served in a tub. The products are widely available across the Bay, but part of the experience is to take the family to the site of Rush Munroe’s since 1931, the iconic Ice Cream Gardens in Hastings.
- 21eatdrinksharehbNapier CentralEat and go to heaven – this is ice cream to die for. Beautifully individually packaged gourmet ice cream, ideal for a special desert or occasion, is the latest offering from the eatdrinksharehb trio of Hawke’s Bay café restaurants: F. G. Smith Eatery, Opera Kitchen and Albion Canteen. Launched at F. G. Smith Eatery’s F.A.W.C eatdrinkdance event these visual treasures are available at Smiths right now and will be at all three eateries in time for our hot Hawke’s Bay summer. Flavours include a decadent passion fruit and coconut ice-cream with a fruity centre covered in thick white chocolate, a delicious house-made salted caramel peanut milk chocolate ice cream, and pistachio and fig nougat with orange short bread and a strawberry vanilla shortbread ice cream sandwich – the chef recommends waiting for five minutes for the shortbread to soften. A ridiculously hard task.
- 33Lick This!Napier SouthSituated along picturesque Marine Parade appropriately-named ‘Lick This’ is a not to be missed lick-a-thon, but it’s not the place to down-size, with some stunning choices like big four-flavour waffles filled with ice cream, gigantic banana splits and delicious ice cream cakes. Using local ingredients where possible most of the ice cream, gelato, sorbet and frozen yoghurt products are made on site and there are 35 flavours to suit from. Latest on the list are completely natural Popsicles, or as they say in Kiwiland – ice Blocks. Try Forest Berry – the bottom half is mango and the top is passion fruit.
- 43Captain Morgan'sGisborne CentralIf you want to impress the kids with a tasty inexpensive treat, especially after a long hot day on Waikanae Beach this is the place to do it. Massively big licking delicious ice creams and a view to die for. Their consistent delivery of these massive cones have earned them a great reputation.
- 52Pernel FruitworldTomoanaPernel Fruit World does what Hawke’s Bay does best – grow fresh fruit. The Mardon family have been orchardists here for 100 years and have developed their 85 low-chemical spray fruit varieties into some high-quality products, among them delicious real fruit frozen yoghurt and ice cream. You can get a nice big cone from both the Fresh Produce Shop and Pernel Kitchen and then jump on an Apple Wagon and discover the 100-year-old fruitful secrets of the orchard and farm.
Pippa B.'s
Best Fish And Chips
- 11The Frying DutchmanNapier CentralThis well-known local brand now has shops in Ahuriri and Trinity Crescent, Pirimai. As well as some excellent fish and chips you can get some special Dutch treats like beef and chicken kroket croquettes, rookworst smoked sausage and frikandel minced meat dog. For the traditionally English they offer mushy peas – just the right thing to go with fish and chips. And of course good old kiwi paua and mussel gourmet fritters.
- 25Hawkes Bay SeafoodsNapier CentralHawke’s Bay Seafoods is a major industry player and offers an excellent array of kai moana straight off the boats – crayfish, whole and filleted fish, seafood kebabs, crabs, scallops, oysters, prawns, seafood cocktails, raw fish…. You can choose prepared food and your choice of fish for your fish and chips from the cabinet and dine-in or get a take-a-way and take it across the road to the picnic tables adjacent to Pandora Pond. You can’t get fresher fish than this.
- 31Westshore Fish Cafe RestaurantNapier CentralA great little family business with amazingly tasty fish and chips. They go out of their way to ensure the locally-sourced fish is perfectly cooked and the chips hot and crispy. The café is licensed or BYO and with a kiddy meal menu as well as an extensive range of seafood, plus vege, chicken and steak options. It’s good value for the family to stop off for lunch or dinner or take some good old-fashioned paper-wrapped fish and chips down to the beach.
- 42Mac's Fish SupplyHastings CentralFish and chips for lunch, burgers for dinner. Hastings is 20km inland from the port, but Mac’s still makes sure the fish is fresh off the boats from Napier’s Port Ahuriri. Along with beautifully made fish and homemade chips there is a great variety of good old kiwi burgers – Mac’s BIG burger is full of beetroot, cheese, bacon, egg and onion rings. Mac’s is a long standing local favourite serving the best Fish and Chips in Hawke’s Bay and also stocks a good variety of fresh fish.
- 53Captain Morgan'sGisborne CentralSituated right across from the Waikanae Motor Camp and beach and boardwalk it’s a handy place for fish and chips as well as all-day breakfasts, lunch time fish and chips and salad, or fisherman’s basket to either dine inside, alfresco or take to the beach. There’s also a shop with good variety of fast food, cakes and very big scrummy ice creams.