Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Despite the huge losses of the Waikato War and the eventual opening up of the
King Country, the Kingitanga survived - although it has no formal constitutional
role. A measure of the strength of the movement was the huge outpouring of grief
when Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, Potatau's great-great-great-grand-
daughter, died in 2006 after 40 years at the helm. Although it's not a hereditary
monarchy (leaders of various tribes vote on a successor), Potatau's line continues
to the present day with King Tuheitia Paki.
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Kawhia
POP 670
Along with resisting cultural annihilation, low-key Kawhia (think mafia with a K) has
avoided large-scale development, retaining its sleepy fishing-village vibe. There's not
much here except for the general store, a couple of takeaways and a petrol station. Even
Captain Cook blinked and missed the narrow entrance to the large harbour when he
sailed past in 1770.
Sights & Activities
Kayaks can be hired from Kawhia Beachside S-Cape and Kawhia Motel.
Ocean Beach
BEACH, SPRING
(Te Puia Rd)
Four kilometres west of Kawhia is Ocean Beach and its high, black-sand
dunes. Swimming can be dangerous, but one to two hours either side of low tide you can
find the
Te Puia Hot Springs
in the sand - dig a hole for your own natural hot pool.
Kawhia Regional
Museum & Gallery
MUSEUM, GALLERY
(
www.kawhiaharbour.co.nz
;
Omimiti Reserve, Kawhia Wharf; admission by gold coin donation;
noon-3pm Wed-Sun)
Kawhia's modest waterside museum has local history, nautical and
Maori artefacts, and regular art exhibitions. It doubles as the visitor information centre.
Maketu Marae
MARAE
(
www.kawhia.maori.nz
; Kaora St)
From the wharf, a track extends along the coast to Maketu
Marae, which has an impressively carved meeting house, Auaukiterangi. Two stones here
