Hicks Bay, Gisborne Map

About Hicks Bay, Gisborne

Hicks Bay is a locality in the Gisborne Region of New Zealand. It has a population of approximately 1,389. It sits at an elevation of around 168 m above sea level. It lies approximately 120 km north-northeast of Gisborne, the regional capital. Hicks Bay is located at 37.6000°S, 178.3000°E. It observes New Zealand Time (NZST/NZDT). Statistics New Zealand classifies the area as a small urban area.

Hicks Bay lies where the East Cape's rugged embrace softens, allowing the land to breathe a sigh of green towards the vast Pacific. It lies 119.9 km north-north-east of Gisborne (from Gisborne: bearing 13°T), and is situated 31.6 km north of Ruatoria. Rolling hills, cloaked in a patchwork of grazing pasture and dark, resilient native bush, tumble towards the coastline, their contours softened by the perpetual caress of the sea breeze. The air here carries the clean, briny tang of the ocean, a constant reminder of the proximity to Onepoto Bay, just a kilometre distant, and the restless rhythm of the tides that shape the distant shores. Sunlight, when it breaks through the frequent coastal mists, paints the landscape in hues of emerald and gold, highlighting the deep, shadowed creases of the valleys and the subtle undulations of the land.

The history of Hicks Bay is as layered as the sedimentary rock formations that scar its coastal cliffs, a testament to a land long inhabited and deeply connected to the sea. For generations, the Wharekahika River has carved its path inland, its waters a vital artery for the local economy, which has historically relied on the bounty of the surrounding farmland and the fishing grounds accessible from the coast. While forestry has played a role in shaping the nearby Ruatoria Forest, the enduring spirit of this place is one of hardy resilience, where life moves at a pace dictated by the seasons and the tides. Travellers might find themselves drawn to the quietude, the sense of an unbroken connection to the land and the sea, a feeling amplified by the distant murmur of the Waihirere Waterfall after a generous rainfall.

About This Hicks Bay Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Hicks Bay, Gisborne, New Zealand — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: -37.6, 178.3. Live weather conditions with current observations and a 7-day forecast are powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time New Zealand and world news feeds keep the page current, while an editorial description provides background on Hicks Bay.

Hicks Bay sits within the Gisborne Region. Location data is drawn from the GeoNames geographical database and verified by coordinates, ensuring the correct Hicks Bay is identified even where the name is shared across multiple New Zealand localities.