Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The walkway lies entirely in the Te Paki Recreation Reserve and is managed by the De-
partment of Conservation (DOC), which maintains four camping grounds along the track.
The tramp can be extended by starting in Ahipara, 83km south of Te Paki Stream at the
southern end of Ninety Mile Beach, adding three or four days to the journey. You can also
join it at Waipapakauri (69km south of Te Paki Stream), Hukatere (51km) or the Bluff
(19km); the 32km portion from Hukatere to the Bluff (a famous spot for surf fishing) is
ruler-straight. Keep in mind, however, that you'll encounter cars and tour buses daily on
Ninety Mile Beach until you pass Te Paki Stream.
History
Maori were already well established in NZ's far north by the time Europeans arrived, and
Cape Reinga had long been regarded by Maori as the departure point of the spirit after
death. Only the village of Te Hapua remains from the once-thriving settlements. However,
ancient
pa
(fortifications), middens and relics of gardens and food storage pits remain to re-
mind us of a different era in Te Paki's history.
In 1642 Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sailed past and named Cape Maria van Diemen, a
point southwest of Cape Reinga. Captain James Cook also sailed by during his first visit to
NZ in 1769, but arrived during a storm. He sat tight and refused to leave until he had recor-
