WAIROA Wairoa is equidistant on the Napier Gisborne Road. Wairoa is also at the junction of State Highway 2 and state highway 38. Highway 38 is the road to Lake Waikaremoana. This lake, though remote is a favourite outdoor region, primarily for New Zealanders. The road and remoteness precludes most tourists from visiting the lake. Wairoa is also a remote municipality, with access to Auckland or the rest of the country via Gisborne for both motor vehicle and by air. Wairoa is truly a remote place. Wairoa is a coastal port and manufacturing, fishing and farming under-pin the commercial activities of the town. Early settlement in the area included a whaling station and trading post, dealing largely in flax. Its initial name was Clyde, but this was changed largely to avoid confusion with Clive near Napier and Clyde in the South Island. Wairoa has a population of circa 9,000 people and is well served by the local businesses. There is a museum that is open at weekends. A number of churches are represented. The Catholic Church is a well maintained building. The War Memorial is unique, and to date nothing compares to this monument.   The Ferry Hotel is one of two ‘old’ hotels that continue to do business.