Te Hangāruru

Connecting through the Waimarino...

Off road Grade 2 - 3 trail approximately 29.4km long from Horopito to National Park through the spectacular Waimarino. Connecting across incredible viaducts, past the Last Spike, traversing through the proposed new Pōkākā ecosanctuary and onwards connecting to the Marton Sash and Door in Erua, before arriving at National Park Village

This section of trail completes the gap for our trails so cyclists and walkers can explore all the trails in the way they were intended - Nga Ara Tūhono.

This section of Mountains to Sea trail is a joint project between Ruapehu District Council and Uenuku.

Project Partners

Uenuku
Ruapehu District Council
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) | Kanoa fund
Local communities

Te Hangāruru planned route

Proposed route subject to approval.

Image credit | Cheal

Project Updates

Permissions

Resource Consent has been granted for the first stage of this project.

Consultation with local communities and iwi on route and planning underway.

Consents, funding and approvals for the first section of 11.85 kms is in place.

We are seeking funding for the remaining 17kms once we have begun construction which is due shortly.

Stage One

The first stage of the trail is due to start this October 2023 and will follow the old State Highway now known as Matapuna Road that has been lost to the bush. It will navigate across streams and through the bush to eventually end up at the Last Spike - known in history for being the final (and fittingly) connection on the North Island Main Trunk Line.

Te Hangāruru - a place of abundance

Te Hangāruru is gifted to this trail by Uenuku and reflects a story of abundance. The centre of the trail passes through Pōkākā, home to the proposed alpine Pōkākā ecosanctuary.

The name reflects the story of a place where manu flourished in the great Waimarino forest. Filled with native trees, the rich food source was so attractive and nourishing, native birds including kaka filled the sky so much that the sky darkened. This was a place where Tangata whenua gathered food and a central place between two settlements that mana whenua traversed to and fro from (between Manganui o te ao and Tokaanu). It was a special hunting place where there was an abundance of life.

Today, once complete, the trail will celebrate and support a vibrant sustainable community and environment reconnecting to that once special place. Travel sustainably and in awe, where once great Chiefs walked and gathered.