Lake Taupo weekend: 2~Hello Hatepe

Hatepe is normally somewhere you race (er, drive) past on your way north or south, being one of a few small settlements along the eastern shore of Lake Taupo. Today though we would be turning off into Hatepe for the first time. Somewhere waiting for us was our holiday bach for the next three nights.

Hatepe is a Maori word meaning wiped out or destroyed and refers to some vicious inter-tribe battles a long time ago now. The settlement as it is today was established in 1937 with the main subdivision activity in the 1950s. The land is owned and administered by a Maori incorporation, the majority of residents being leaseholders. About 100 properties are on long-term leases.

First impressions: tranquil and picturesque, with houses of tucked away on sections amongst bush. We saw few other people during our stay and 99% of those were down by the lake.

If the general vibe we had of the place is anything to go by, the ownership arrangement here overall works well.

Yes we would probably be just fine here

We found Kowhai Cottage and instantly bonded with it. Helped by the superb blue sky day, it felt like we were being treated to a slice of Kiwiana – the archetypal ‘summertime at the bach’ experience. And this wasn’t a rustic bare-bones affair, we would be well comfy here.

Getting in – fine. Getting out – where’s a hoist when you need one?

This area is big for trout fishing

Boys were chomping at the bit to go for a swim and a kayak, and there would be plenty of that happening over the next wee while.

Distance to the lake? 150m. Pretty do-able. Footwear: optional.

Further along the beach was a couple with the exact right idea

Or maybe this is more your thing

The next day I scoped out a bit more of the neighbourhood.

A tiny environmental message on the footpath

A couple of blokes trout fishing in the mouth of the Hinemaia River

One thing was abundantly clear, you simply cannot avoid relaxing in Hatepe.