If you have not met Nicola Ngarewa, you need to. A Patea "old girl" who has returned home to give back to the small coastal town she grew up in. Nicola is the Principal of Patea Area School and in just a few years has led the school from strength to strength. Nicola was awarded the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award in 2013 and named the 2016 Taranaki Daily News Person of the year. While those are both secrets Nicola may have wanted to remain as such, she's more than keen to share her and her family's favourite local secrets.
Local secret #1:
Patea Beach
Beach Road, Patea
https://www.southtaranaki.com/Live/Our-District/Patea
Waves, wind and pure black sand. This is my happy place. Patea Beach will always be one of my all-time favourite summer spots. With its long stretch of wild, west coast; this is where I love to swim, surf and simply lie back to enjoy the company of my family and friends. The best things in life really are free.
Local secret #2:
Quirky Fox
205A High Street, Hawera
https://quirkyfox.co.nz/
Quirky Fox is a gorgeous gallery and gift shop right in the heart of Hawera. This treasure trove supports established and emerging independent artists and designers and will tempt you with its collection of carefully selected gifts, art and design. We love to browse the store, chat with the lovely owner Vicky and buy New Zealand designed and made works of art.
Local secret #3:
Sugar Juice Cafe
42 Tasman Street, Opunake
https://visit.taranaki.info/visit/eat-and-drink/sugar-juice-cafe.aspx
If you're driving through Opunake you can't miss Sugar Juice Cafe! The cafe welcomes you with its colourful exterior, the owners and staff who work there are fantastic and if the sun is shining it's an absolute must to enjoy your meal out the back in the Zen garden. It is an added bonus that the cafe is in one of my favourite, friendly small towns!
Local secret #4:
Surf Highway 45
State Highway 45
http://visit.taranaki.info/visit/news/six-foot-and-glassy.aspx
I love the drive along Surf Highway 45: 105km of relaxing and breath-taking views. You really feel as though you are perched on the edge of the world. There are so many things to discover along this stretch, from numerous surf breaks to ancient ship wrecks to a light house from the 1800's!
Local secret #5:
Patea Art Gallery
93 Egmont Street, Patea
https://www.facebook.com/Gallery-Patea
The Patea Art Gallery has been showcasing the incredible creativity that is resident in Patea for over a year now. This special little gallery is my one stop shop for great gifts and art. All of the work is created by very talented local artists and I love that this is the galleries first priority.