Takapau is a small rural community in the Central Hawkes Bay in New Zealand. It is located 20 kilometres west of Waipukurau. The area's main industries are the Takapau Meat Works and local farms. Takapau was once the centre of a large flax milling industry. Takapau takes its name from the flax that grew in the expansive Takapau plains. The Maori word translates literally as "Mat" or "Carpet".
There is a marae and two schools at Takapau.