Rediscovering the real art of Hawkes Bay

MAUREEN FITZGERALD takes a tour through a charming corner of Hawke's Bay and finds some tempting arts and crafts.

Along the Hawke Bay coast are the small settlements of Haumoana, Te Awanga and Clifton. Once popular for family camping holidays or weekend baches, these townships have become permanent homes for many who appreciate the tranquillity of the countryside and ocean and proximity to work in Napier or Hastings.

The drive is a pleasant trip through farmlands and vineyards with views of Te Mata Peak and Havelock North hills which run right to Cape Kidnappers, and the Hawke's Bay gannet colony.

At Haumoana the road turns right and continues through Te Awanga to Clifton, ending at the popular Clifton Camping Ground.

Before the camping ground, historic Clifton Homestead can be seen from the road. The present homestead was built in 1901 and remains in the Gordon family. A recent addition is the Clifton Cafe - a delightful spot to quietly enjoy anything from a cafe latte to superbly cooked cuisine at reasonable prices.

The cafe has been built in the style of the colonial station buildings, blending easily with the surroundings but positioned so as to provide great views of the bay from Cape Kidnappers to Mahia Peninsula. Its large deck can be covered on wet days.

A short distance past Te Awanga settlement is the Clear View Estate Winery which provides excellent meals and winery tours.

For many, the Kidnappers' Art Trail is a big drawcard. Many creative folk live and have their galleries in the area.

Having spent his apprenticeship years in the glass industry, John Owens started his lead-light business some years ago, designing and making individual, commissioned pieces.

His glass art studio boasts a superb collection of lead-lighting, kiln-formed tiles and tableware, mirrors and lampshades.

Lex Benson-Cooper, winner of the 1999 Norsewear Art Award, has his studio at Te Awanga. He specialises in oil and graphite on canvas or paper, and he designs garden sculptures.

Terence McKenna, a Telecom Art Award winner and Hawke's Bay charity wine auction artist last year, sells paintings and drawings from his Haumoana studio.

For something different in pottery, Maggie Taylor's studio at Vinterra, on Parkhill Rd, Haumoana, has a large collection of pots, platters and all manner of garden and patio objets d'art.

Living in Te Awanga provides both the lifestyle and inspiration for Jack Deylin's woodturning business.

"What started out as a hobby," says Deylin, a Scottish ex-marine, "has turned into a growing business. I have welcomed visitors from around the world, including South Africa, Saudi Arabia, France and Britain.

"I enjoy meeting people and working with wood. It's amazing how many people, like me, who used to work with metal, now have their hobbies and/or businesses in woodturning and similar crafts."

Most of the timber Deylin uses is sourced locally. Kauri is bought from the Coromandel. The small studio hosts a collection of bowls, platters and smaller objects, all made from exotic and native timbers.

The area provides something for everyone, from a trip to the gannet colony, horse-trekking, fishing and surfing, to spending a day (or two) enjoying the cafes and wineries and browsing round the art and craft galleries.

* Bed and breakfast accommodation is available at Haumoana and Te Awanga. Clifton and Te Awanga also have well-run camping grounds with good facilities.