View from the Top – Te Mata Peak

Up, up a narrow road we drove, climbing high up to Te Mata Peak.  Don’t look over the edge, I told myself, it’s a long way down.  And let’s hope that upcoming traffic is keeping to their side of the narrow road.  Te Mata Park of 242 acres was purchased from the Crown by John Chambers in 1854, and was gifted to the people of Hawkes Bay by his sons in 1927.  We were surprised at just how many cars, people, children and the odd dog  were already up there.   Mind you, it was the school holidays, and the weather was glorious and sunny, without a breath of wind.  Swarms of midges outnumbered the people a hundred to one and buzzed around our heads, but luckily they were not the biting kind.

That's us on the Trig Station on top at Te Mata Peak

The 360 degree views from the top were glorious.  Directly in front was Hastings City with the streets set out in grid formation.

Hastings City

Rolling hills with snow capped mountain ranges in the background

A view of Hawkes Bay, looking towards the Mahia Peninsula

The legend of Te Mata Peak goes like this:  the hill is the body of the chief Rongokako, the ancestor of all the iwi of Ngati Kuhungunu.  Although a fierce warrior, he decided against attacking the Heretaunga people when he saw the beauty of the chief’s daughter.  To prove his worthiness, Rongokako was given a series of difficult tasks to perform.  He completed them all except the last, which was to eat his way through the hill.  Looking towards the Peak from Hastings, the huge bite that choked Rongokako can be seen.  The outline of his body forms the skyline.

Robin was keen to supplement his honey supply so a visit to Arataki Honey was on the plan for today.  A little bit of a honey tasting trial ensured he chose his absolute favourite flavour to spread on his toast – rewarewa honey this time.  Plus a cheaper more ordinary clover honey to be used in cooking, I was told firmly, so that I don’t use up his favourite flavour when I cook honey roasted yams next time.  

Rewarewa and clover honey

A visit to Hastings is not complete without calling in to Rush Munro’s ice-cream parlour.  This Kiwi institution started in 1926 when Frederick Charles Rush Munro and his wife Catherine arrived in Hawkes Bay from England.  A confectioner by trade, he set up shop and began to make sweets.  Later the range included 100% real fruit ice creams, fruit drinks and chocolates, all made to his own recipes.  The business was sold in 1949, but the tradition remains.  We sat outside in the garden area enjoying our ice-cream cones, honey and ginger for her, and two scoops for him, rum and raisin  and passionfruit.  A delicious way to finish off our day in Hastings.

Finishing off our day with a Rush Munro’s ice-cream