We drove at 60km/hr to the next town where we were relieved to not only find a store but one that stocked various items, including duct tape.

The Magic of Duct Tape!

Driving around the East Cape Hwy #35 there were a few uneven surface area but nothing close to when they join old and new asphalt and both are not on the same level. The last one we hit going 100km/hr was hard enough to knock the left side of the bumper (that was already dented)  free and the noise of it dragging on the asphalt made it sound like a flat tire. You can imagine our surprise to find the bumper had been dragging!

Map of the East Cape highway. The road winds its way along the coast and in mountainous regions, taking us over six hours to reach Gisborne.

Driving the East Cape highway from Whakatane to Gisborne. Predominantly Maori owned, sheep country.

Whakatane from Lookout and Ohope Beach. Whakatane is known for having the most amount of yearly sunshine in New Zealand.

Whakatane Main Street Downtown

White Island History

”Sulphur was mined as early as 1868 and continued in an ‘on again off again’ capacity until 1913 the White Island Sulphur Company was formed. It erected wooden bungalows to house the men, a boiler house, three retorts, a laboratory and a store in Crater Bay. In 1914 the island rebelled against human intrusion, burying everything under ash and mud, including the 14 men on the island at the time. In 1927 a processing plant was built but after a few years of declining fortunes, the operation was closed down. The dilapidated buildings and rusting machinery still remain.”