Tairua has an attractive harbour and white sand beaches. Paku, an extinct volcanic cone, is the area’s most memorable landscape feature. It can be climbed from Paku Drive. For a small settlement, Tairua has an excellent range of restaurants and cafés; accommodation is also plentiful, although it pays to book ahead. Pauanui is across the harbour from Tairua, or 25 minutes by road. It’s a purpose-built holiday community with a residential canal development. Pauanui has a white sand surf beach that’s ideal for swimming. Amenities include restaurants, holiday homes for rent, a luxury hotel, a golf resort, B&Bs, motels and a campground holiday park. Functional facts: Combined resident population approx 1900, Pauanui information centre, shopping centre, supermarket and service station.