Episode: New Zealand? Bay of Plenty
Presenter: Neville Passmore

It is only ten minutes to the coast by car from Kiwi 360, but if you want to do it in style, then a helicopter is the best way to go. Trevor heads off the historic village of Maketu and has a scenic trip over the kiwifruit orchards on the way.

There are around 14,000 orchards between the hills up in Katikati and the Matata Hills. The reason they grow so well in the area is because of all the volcanic ash and there is also a very high water table so they have plenty of water to drink.

From the helicopter Trevor sees where the Maoris first came to the area and was all wetland so the locals would always be out fishing. He also sees where James Cook first landed, Town Point. The great thing about the helicopter is that you can stop down on the bay and enjoy some of the fantastic seafood that the locals still gather there.

When the first Polynesians landed canoes on the beach to settle New Zealand, they knew they were going no where else. The land was rich and green and the ocean was teaming with all sorts of seafood.

The people have survived for hundreds of years off seafood and Tony Pecotic from Rotorua, who previously ran the award winning Lime Caf?, has just taken over the Seaside Caf?. Trevor is told he has the very best seafood in New Zealand, so he has to go in for a visit.

Tony cooks up a whitebait omelette using fresh local whitebait, eggs, fresh mint, lemon zest and chopped garlic.

The white bait Tony uses are very small compared to what you would get in Australia but is more ideal for the type of dish.

Seaside Caf? and Takeaways

Town Point Rd, Maketu
Bay of Plenty,
Ph: +64 7 533 2381

Email: shbeech@xtra.co.nz

www.bayofplentynz.com

www.newzealand.com