Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP OF CHAPTER
Mangawhai
POP 2400
Mangawhai Village sits at the base of a horseshoe harbour, but it's Mangawhai Heads,
5km further on, that's really special.
Various Maori tribes inhabited the area before the 1660s, when Ngati Whatua became
dominant. In 1807, Ngati Whatua defeated Ngapuhi from the north in a major battle, let-
ting the survivors escape. One of them was Hongi Hika, who in 1825 returned, armed
with muskets obtained from Europeans. The ensuing bloodbath all but annihilated Ngati
Whatua and the district became
tapu
(sacred, taboo). British squatters moved in and were
rewarded with land titles by the government in the 1850s. Ceremonies were only per-
formed to lift the
tapu
in the 1990s.
Sights & Activities
Mangawhai Heads
BEACH
A narrow spit of sand stretches for kilometres to form the harbour's south head, shelter-
ing a seabird sanctuary. Across the water sits the holiday town with a surf beach at its
northern tip. Lifesavers patrol on weekends in summer and daily during school holidays,
but it's not especially dangerous.
Mangawhai Museum
MUSEUM
(
www.mangawhai-museum.org.nz
; Molesworth Dr; admission by donation; 10.30am-1pm Thu-
Sun)
Scheduled to open by the time you read this, the Mangawhai Historical Society's
new museum occupies a spectacular building on the main road that links Mangawhai Vil-
lage to Mangawhai Heads; check out the roof shaped like a stingray.
Mangawhai Cliff Top Walkway
TRAMPING
Starting at Mangawhai Heads, this track affords extensive views of sea and land. It takes
two to three hours, provided you time it with a return down the beach at low tide. This is
part of Te Araroa, the national walking track.
Sleeping
Coastal Cow Backpackers
HOSTEL $
