Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rangiaowhia
Before the Waikato invasion, Rangiaowhia (5km east of Te Awamutu on Rangiaowhia Rd;
ask at the i-SITE for directions) was a thriving Maori farming town, exporting wheat,
maize, potatoes and fruit to as far afield as Australia. It was home to thousands of inhabit-
ants, two churches, a flour mill and a racecourse, and was the perfect model of what NZ
under the Maori version of the Treaty of Waitangi had outlined for NZ - two sovereign
peoples interacting to mutual advantage.
In February 1864 the settlement was left undefended while King Tawhiao's warriors
held fortified positions further north. In a key tactical move, General Cameron outflanked
them and took the town, killing women, children and the elderly. This was a turning point
in the campaign, demoralising the Maori and drawing the warriors out of their near-im-
pregnable
pa
fortifications.
Sadly, all that remains of the town is the cute 1854 Anglican
St Paul's Church
( 07-871
5568; Rangiaowhia Rd; services 9am 1st & 3rd Sun of month)
and the Catholic mission's
cemetery
,
standing in the midst of rich farming land - confiscated from the Maori and distributed to
colonial soldiers.
The war ended further south at
Orakau
, where a roadside obelisk marks the site where
300 Maori, led by Rewi Maniapoto, repulsed three days of attacks against an unfinished
pa
by 1500 troops, before breaking out and retreating to what is now known as the King
Country (losing 70 warriors).
WORTH A TRIP
SANCTUARY MOUNTAIN MAUNGATAUTARI
Can a landlocked volcano become an island paradise? Inspired by the success of pest eradication and native-spe-
cies reintroduction in the Hauraki Gulf, a community trust has erected 47km of pest-proof fencing around the
triple peaks of Maungatautari (797m) to create the impressive
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
(
www.sanctuarymountain.co.nz
;
adult/child $15/6). This atoll of rainforest dominates the skyline between Te
Awamutu and Karapiro and is now home to its first kiwi chicks in 100 years. The main entrance is at the visitor
centre on the sanctuary's southern side.
Out in the Styx
( 07-872 4505;
www.styx.co.nz
; 2117 Arapuni Rd, Pukeatua; dm/s/d $95/130/260) is near
the south end of the Maungatautari guided day- and night-walk options. The three stylishly furnished themed
rooms (Polynesian, African or Maori) are especially nice, plus there are bunk rooms and a spa for soothing weary
legs. Prices include a four-course dinner and breakfast. It also provides a pick-up service if you wish to walk
across the mountain from south to north (around six hours).
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