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Tolaga Bay is both a bay and small town on the East Coast of New Zealand's North Island. It was named by Lt. James Cook, but is known locally as Uawa. They are located 45 kilometres northeast of Gisborne and 30 kilometres south of Tokomaru Bay.
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, a long wharf - the longest in New Zealand - was built to accommodate visiting vessels. This wharf is now in threat and a committee from the township are appealing for funds and technical help to restore and save it.
An island in the bay was originally named Spöring Island by Cook, after his expedition's assistant naturalist and instrument maker, Herman Spöring, a Finnish botanist. It is however today known by its Māori name, Pourewa.
The town is a popular holiday spot. Its population is predominantly Māori, with the area being a stronghold of the Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti iwi and home of Ariki - Te Kani a Takirau and Tohunga - Rangiuia.
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