TheHeretaunga Plains is a 300 square kilometres (120 sq mi)alluvial plain at the southern end ofHawke Bay on the east coast of theNorth Island ofNew Zealand. The towns ofNapier,Hastings andHavelock North are on the plain.[1]
The plain was formed over the last 250,000 years fromsediment deposited by theTutaekuri,Ngaruroro andTukituki Rivers and from coastal marine deposits. It consists of layers of gravel, sand and silt. Permeable gravel beds formaquifers and theartesiangroundwater provides 85% of the requirements for public water supply, irrigation and industrial use on the Heretaunga Plains and adjacent areas.[1]
The fertile soil, the warm, dry climate of the area, and the water for irrigation make the plain an excellent site for horticulture and agriculture. Half of the total New Zealand production of fruit, vegetables and grapes is on the Heretaunga Plains.[1] It is one of New Zealand's leadingwine producing areas.
The Heretaunga Plains are named after a carvedwharenui (meeting house) at Whatonga, andMāori migrating south have taken the name with them and given it to a watercourse now known as theHutt River.[2]
39°35′53.78″S176°52′14.73″E / 39.5982722°S 176.8707583°E /-39.5982722; 176.8707583
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