Hatuma

Hatuma can be explored through two distinctive aspects: Lake Whatumā and its wildlife, and the area's historic sites. The lake, also known as Lake Hatuma, is oval and shallow and covers about 160 hectares. If you’re looking for holiday accommodation in Hatuma, you might first consider whether nature and wildlife or local history will play a bigger part in your stay.

Lake Whatumā and Wetland

A wetland fringe of about 76 hectares adjoins the lake. Lake Whatumā is of high value for wildlife and is home to the largest population in Hawke’s Bay of the globally endangered Australasian bittern. This regional feature gives the nature theme a specific focus. Those interested in landscapes and wildlife will find a clearly defined focus here for exploring Hatuma.

Lake Whatumā was also an important Mahinga-Kai area, particularly for eels (tuna), kōkopu, kākahi and native birds. Both its high value for wildlife today and the lake’s former importance to these species are defining perspectives on the area. Nature and cultural history meet here as different interests in the same landscape.

Walking and Recreation Areas

The Hatuma Half Marathon includes a walking section on a course that circles Lake Whatumā clockwise. This offers a specific point of reference for travellers interested in walking and looking to make the lake a focus of their trip. The activity is part of the Hatuma Half Marathon; the section described is the walking section of the circuit.

Hatuma Domain is a 5.6-hectare recreation reserve at the intersection of Hobson Road and Settlement Road. By contrast, Whatumā Recreation Reserve refers to the land west of Lake Whatumā. It is jointly managed by trustees appointed by the Heretaunga Tamatea Settlement Trust and the Aorangi Māori Trust Board. The two names refer to different reserves, with clearly specified responsibilities and locations.

Historic Sites and Memorials

Woburn Station Homestead at 216 Hatuma Road is a Category 2 historic site. Woburn Station Former Manager’s House at 210 Hatuma Road is also classified as a Category 2 historic site. The two named buildings offer distinct historical points of reference in Hatuma; their respective addresses help distinguish them.

The Hātuma war memorial is a memorial stone with a plaque. It lists men from the district who served in the First and Second World Wars. The Hatuma Memorial Cairn is separate: it is a cultural heritage reserve at the intersection of Hatuma Road and Settlement Road and covers 943 m². The memorial stone with its plaque and the reserve with the cairn therefore represent different forms of remembrance.

Hatuma offers several specific points of interest for planning your holiday: the lake’s landscape and wildlife, its Mahinga-Kai history, the walking section of the Hatuma Half Marathon, and the historic sites and memorials. Discover more destinations at Ruahine Forest Park.

For the broader travel overview: Central Hawke's Bay District.