Kids of all ages can embrace this technology museum, full of olden-day memorabilia. A touchy feely paradise full of interactive gems. My highlight has got to be the electrifying Tesla Coil.

Swimming with sharks is so cool. And I really love that they are well fed. If you’re lucky you may get to brush past the biggest shark, Sarah, all of 2.8m. But if getting up close and personal to the killer of the deep is not quite your thing, you can view all the 24 resident sharks and sting-rays from the underwater viewing tunnel of the oceanarium. Lots of exhibits and interactive activities and a great place to fill in half a day with the kids.

Waipawa A fascinating step back in time for the kids. Let them live a bit of yesteryear and experience Waipawa’s main street in 1900. Gotta love that Waipawa is one of the oldest inland towns in New Zealand. Visit Sam’s Shed, full of engines, saw equipment and old farm stuff.

A sweet experience for the senses. Get to smell honey, hear and see the bees and the best – taste it. Let the kids learn all about the busy bees, beekeepers and honey. Really loving that it’s free.

Youth Night: Okay, so it’s only on Friday evenings, but let your 11-17-year-old burn up all their excess energy before the weekend. Table tennis, basketball, volleyball, skate boarding and lots more. Love that it’s free, with complimentary drop-offs. Lots of other programmes available during the week.

An elegant guesthouse and B & B, set in four acres of relaxing gardens. I love this quiet oasis, so close to the attractions in Havelock North. Superb service, great food and the breakfast…freshly laid eggs straight from the nest and served in the garden, weather permitting. An ideal place to spend some luxury time.

A special place for a classy occasion. This lovely old homestead, set amongst 25 acres, on the outskirts of Havelock North is a luxurious stay. If you’re searching for a charming B & B for an overnight, or full hotel facilities for a longer escape, together with high-end dining and degustation delights, this has got to be it. I love that, last summer, Mangapapa regularly opened its grounds to share this beautiful place with the public and hosted the Chillpill, a Sunday afternoon of relaxation and music.

Right on the water’s edge this hotel and guesthouse is a great friendly place to stay, full of local flavour and international class, with full amenities. It’s in a great location, a short walk to restaurants and the town centre, close to the boardwalk and Waikanae Surf Beach. An extra bonus is being entertained while sitting on the balcony, with a glass of wine, watching the workers load the logging ships in the inner harbour.

Five-star luxury; this elegant and refurbished Victorian-Edwardian hotel was once home to the County Council and is one of the few buildings to survive the 1931 Hawke’s Bay Earthquake. With its award-winning Wine Street restaurant and Churchill’s Champagne Bar, it’s picture-perfect at any time, but I just love it to soak up the fantasy and decadent atmosphere after an Art Deco celebration.

Black Barn is more famous for its boutique vineyard and Bistro in Havelock North, but it also offers a variety of upmarket guest houses and retreats. They are all amazingly exclusive, but my favourite has to be the Riverside Lodges on the East side of the Tuki Tuki River – a haven of peace and tranquillity with the most heavenly exquisite views across to Te Mata Peak.

A touch of the Bohemian in Napier, Ujazi is the best place to people-watch and soak up the sun. Wonderful outside seating stretches in a line alongside the tiled wall of neighbouring Statements Gallery. Friendly service and delicious food and some seriously funky baristas. Yummy vegetarian and gluten-free options and I just love the portion sizes. Great for breakfast/brunch and lunch, but best for soaking up the city’s unique collection of Art Deco buildings.

Abundant with good food and tantalising delights this place is a food-lover’s dream. The cooked brunch/lunch menu at is available until mid-afternoon, while there’s always a great selection of fresh healthy counter food available. Keep some time to browse the wonderful selection of imported and local foodstuffs in the retail area. Part of Chris and Jonelle Jarvis’s Bay Espresso outlets, the coffee is ethically traded and organic. Love the coffee, food, shopping and the relaxed atmosphere.

If you are looking for a Sunday Brunch Buffet and want good value, Café Ahuriri is where it’s at. Although more renowned for baking, and world-famous custard squares, for which people come from all over the world to savour. From 8am-2pm the Breakfast Buffet offers a choice of 10 dishes, including hash browns, scalloped potatoes, bacon, scrambled eggs, breakfast sausages, creamy mushrooms and that old-time favourite, lamb’s fry and bacon. I love that you can design your own breakfast, there’s no waiting – but book a table, because this place is popular. Cabinet food is available and lunch specials are available from 11.30am.

You don’t have to be a guest to eat here for the buffet breakfast between 7-9am. Good bang for your buck, considering you can load your plate with a selection of cereals, yoghurts, fruits, breads and jams, and the hot course of sausages, hash browns, baked beans, bacon, scrambled eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes and pancakes. Open for dinner as well to walk-in diners.

Open early until late, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Milk & Honey is a great place at any time and a popular hotspot for brunch on the weekends. Passionate about the hospitality business well-seasoned restaurant owner Sean Burns and partner and artist, Nic Scotland, have blended their skills achieving a relaxed and welcoming community space, with superb food and a well thought out beverage list. The Hawthorne–bean coffee is always good and the staff welcoming. There’s a lot to love here, even just getting to sit in the sun near the sea on a beautiful sunny Hawke’s Bay day.

There’s nothing like sharing the love and supporting local industry. Founded 14 years ago, Napier-based Kilt has grown to nine stores throughout New Zealand. They have great passionate staff and some very cool winter stuff arriving weekly. On my wish list is the Boston Coat with a detachable hood, available in nine shades, and perfect to rug up in for the next polar blast.

You can love both the planet and yourself at Sugar Thread by buying reworked vintage gear and street wear. Guys, try the winter-weight Smoove as **** shirts in retro paisley. For the girls, rows and rows of original Smoove Reworked Vintage shirts, skirts and dresses. And for me. I just love my new fluffy sand-coloured and red rose What Would Love Do Now knit jumper made from recycled bottle tops. Lots of cool accessories, Boy London and Obey Hoodies and art by Richard Boyd-Dunlop.

This locally-owned business oozes quality. Both youthful and classic in design, they offer superb styling and attention to detail and fantastic customer service. You can’t pass this one by easily because the shop’s colourful window displays will drag you inside. Lots of winter offerings here. Try the peacock/paisley long sleeve shirts with contrast cuff trim with a possum merino and a 3/4 wool pea jacket overcoat. Perfect.

You name it, the brand is probably here. Workshop, I Love Ugly, COMMONERS and KLOU’DE to name a few. Right now they are stocking some great Knit and Fisherman’s Crew and Zip Hoods to keep those cooler mornings at bay. They’ve just got some amazing Yellow Submarine vans in store, in collaboration with The Beatles, and just right for the sunny East Coast.

Another Gisborne store where big brands weigh heavy. Zambesi, State of Grace, Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester and Cooper by Trelise…. Love the red tartan Cooper Check Mate Jacket and Cooper Don DraperTop with red tartan skinny jeans or for a bit of bling the Saben Mineral Metallics.

Right on West Quay in Ahuriri village, overlooking the marina and fishing boats on the inner harbour, it’s the perfect place to while away an afternoon or evening and sample the great tapas menu and wine list this place is renown for. Try the mouth-watering orange braised pork belly on a Waldorf salad with a Hawke’s Bay Clearview Gewurztraminer. Pure nectar.

A local favourite and great meeting place, where a delicious Spanish tapas menu head butts an eclectic wine list head on. Especially good is the Lebanese 7-spice wagyu rump with kumara crush, tahini dressing and candied walnuts.

A delightful and innovative menu busting with kaimoana and locally produced flavours by an award-winning chef. Tasting at it’s best.

Classical elegance in the Art Deco Masonic Hotel, in a location that can’t be beaten, adjacent to Marine Parade and in the heart of the historic quarter. Not specifically a tapas menu, but it’s designed for sharing.

Boasting some of the best coffee in town, with a great kitchen-garden courtyard, it’s an uber-cool place to eat with a yummy plate menu, craft beers and a Hawke’s Bay focused wine list.