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206km from Opotiki
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Welcome to Ruatoria |
128km from Gisborne
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Ruatoria is a left turn and 5 minute drive off the main highway. The heart of Ngāti Porou and the second largest iwi by population in Aotearoa. Nestled beside Maunga (Mount) Hikurangi, the first in the southern hemisphere to see the sun, this little community has some of the most beautiful Marae in the motu (region). In the main street you will find Kai Kart Takeaways, and the well stocked Four Square Ruatōria and further on is Enz of the Earth Guest House. The township is humble but proud and determined. Visit Whakarua Park the “cake tin” of Ngāti Porou East Coast Rugby, the union boasts both a men’s and a women’s representative team, from a one of the smallest provinces in Aotearoa. Past players include Māori All Black legend George Nepia of the Invincibles and many others have gone on to wear the black jersey.
Sir Apirana Ngata lived here and is remembered by the Ngata Memorial College. Māori VC recipient Lieutenant Ngarimu was born here. Uepohatu (at Whakarua Park) is an ornately carved house, take a peek and see the beautiful whakairo and tukutuku which captures the story of our iwi. If you time your visit for Pā Wars, be prepared for the annual traffic jam and some of the best line dancing in the world as 52 Marae and approximately 3,000 Ngāti Porou compete against each other in all disciplines (chess too) to win the “mana rights” of this fun, whanau event.
A short 5km from the township is the Tuparoa, where in the early 1900’s more than 2,000 people lived serviced by ships. The remnants of the township remain, the beautiful St Mathews Church overlooking this isolated piece of paradise.
The adjoining bay of Reporua has one of the most spectacular views of the Coast with former pa sites of the the local iwi clearly visible. The majestic Tu Auau Marae is at the bottom of the hill, a testament to the commitment of the hapu, to keep the home fires burning.
Sir Apirana Ngata lived here and is remembered by the Ngata Memorial College. Māori VC recipient Lieutenant Ngarimu was born here. Uepohatu (at Whakarua Park) is an ornately carved house, take a peek and see the beautiful whakairo and tukutuku which captures the story of our iwi. If you time your visit for Pā Wars, be prepared for the annual traffic jam and some of the best line dancing in the world as 52 Marae and approximately 3,000 Ngāti Porou compete against each other in all disciplines (chess too) to win the “mana rights” of this fun, whanau event.
A short 5km from the township is the Tuparoa, where in the early 1900’s more than 2,000 people lived serviced by ships. The remnants of the township remain, the beautiful St Mathews Church overlooking this isolated piece of paradise.
The adjoining bay of Reporua has one of the most spectacular views of the Coast with former pa sites of the the local iwi clearly visible. The majestic Tu Auau Marae is at the bottom of the hill, a testament to the commitment of the hapu, to keep the home fires burning.
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Four Square Ruatoria
Supermarket shopping, Petrol & Diesel, Lotto, Hardware, Souvenir T-Shirts, Beer & Wine. P: 06 864 8450 |
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Air Ruatoria
Scenic flights to Whale Rider (Whangara), Te Whanau A Apanui, Maunga Hikurangi, Onenui Station & Rocket Lab on the Mahia Peninsula. Book online. W: www.air-rua.com |
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Enz of the Earth Guest House Accommodation
3 Crossroads. Ph 06 864 8711 or 027 429 2279. E: lireedy@hotmail.com. Booking ahead recommended. |
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Kai Kart Takeaways
Fish & Chips, Burgers, Toasted Sandwiches, Coffee, Cold Drinks. Open Tues-Fri 10.30am to 8.30pm. Sat & Sun 12 to 8pm. Stats closed. P: 06-864 8083 |
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Maunga Hikurangi
Join us for a day experience where out Ngati Porou guides tell the stories of the nine whakairo (carvings). Book at W: www.maungahikurangi.com |
Northwest of Ruatōria are the tamariki of Hikurangi, four prominent maunga each with its own character and mana easily visible from Tapuaeroa Valley Road. Drive up this 18km sealed road and enjoy Taitai, Aorangi, Wharekia and Whanakaoa Mountains in the foreground of the maunga tapu (sacred mountain), Hikurangi. Find a quiet spot beside the road to park and capture a sense of the mauri, mana whenua (territorial land rights) and enjoy.
If you have a bicycle on board, ride this quiet country road which meanders up the Valley past Tapuaeroa Primary School and large sheep stations which once were the life blood of this community. Breathtaking views of our whenua (land) which is reverting and challenged by climate change impacts. The road ends at the foot of Hikurangi Maunga. At 1754 metres this is the highest non-volcanic peak in the North Island and the first place in New Zealand to see the sun each day.
If you have a bicycle on board, ride this quiet country road which meanders up the Valley past Tapuaeroa Primary School and large sheep stations which once were the life blood of this community. Breathtaking views of our whenua (land) which is reverting and challenged by climate change impacts. The road ends at the foot of Hikurangi Maunga. At 1754 metres this is the highest non-volcanic peak in the North Island and the first place in New Zealand to see the sun each day.
High on the mountain are nine carved Whakairo (sculptures) depicting the Whānau of Maui – Tikitiki – a – Taranga, who legend attributes to fishing the North Island up from the sea.
