206km from Opotiki

Welcome to Ruatoria

128km from ​Gisborne

Ruatoria is a left turn and 5 minute drive off the main highway. In the main street you will find Kai Kart Takeaways, Ruatoria Hotel and the well stocked Hikurangi Foodmarket Four Square and further on is Enz of the Earth Guest House. Ruatoria has important Māori connections being the centre for the Ngāti Porou Tribe. Sir Apirana Ngata lived here and is remembered by the Ngata Memorial College. Māori V.C. recipient Lieutenant Ngarimu was born here. In 1973 much of the marginal land was planted in exotic trees (mainly pinus radiata) while helping to control erosion, this valuable timber resource provides extra employment on the Coast.
A new venture is Hikurangi Cannabis which has become the first New Zealand company to secure a license to cultivate medicinal cannabis. Hikurangi has secured significant investment and has strong local support to build high tech greenhouses and processing facilities near Ruatoria. Trial crops are underway.

Enz of the Earth Guest House Accommodation
3 Crossroads. Ph 06 864 8711 or 027 429 2279. E: lireedy@hotmail.com.  Booking ahead recommended.

Four Square Ruatoria
Supermarket shopping, Petrol & Diesel, Lotto, Hardware, Souvenir T-Shirts, Beer & Wine. 
P: 06 864 8450

​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

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

At 1754 metres, Mt. Hikurangi is the highest non-volcanic peak in the North Island. The mountain is sacred to the Ngāti Porou people and is the first place in New Zealand to see the sun each day. There is a walking track via private property. Access is by permission of Ngāti Porou Tourism.

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.