TOLAGA BAY Tolaga Bay is some 50 kms north of Gisborne and is a small country town. But Tolaga Bay is able to boast one of the longest wharves in the southern hemisphere. The wharf is over half a kilometer long. The Wharf was built to service the local area in the early 1900’s but was decommissioned in the early 40’s. The Wharf is now a favorite fishing and swimming spot for the locals. The long term future of the wharf is subject to charitable funding, and given the current maintenance challenges, the opportunity to visit and walk on the wharf may be limited. It was named Tolaga Bay by Captain Cook. Cook anchored at the Bay for a short period seeking to stock up with the local Maori. The region around the bay is rugged and remote, and for many years the only access to the town was by boat. Because the bay is shallow and as mentioned the long wharf was built to accommodate visiting vessels. Tolaga Bay has an old Hotel, Church and War Memorial.   The population is mainly Maori and is a popular holiday spot.