An ideal place to start your tour.

Large and sculptural 3D maps help you locate places of interest in and around Waipukurau.

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Explore the site of Pukekaihau Pā, once a thriving Māori settlement. From the 1600s, many important tīpuna (ancestors) lived here.

Walk the trail from the foot of the pā, where the tīpuna moored their waka (canoes), to the summit of the hill, where the living area was. Beautiful carved structures and illustrated panels let you glimpse what life was like on the pā and across the surrounding rohe (tribal area) during the times of the tīpuna. Today the site is a green park, with plenty of seating.

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At this site the tīpuna (ancestors) cultivated extensive pā harakeke – flax plantations.

Overlook archeological remnants of the Māori settlement from a tranquil seat, set amidst what today are quiet farmlands.

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This pā was named for a pool in a stream where the tīpuna soaked the pukurau fungus to make it edible. Later, it was the site of early interactions between the tīpuna and Europeans.

Stop and reflect on this seat near the banks of the Tukituki River. The Tukituki Trail walk and cycleway runs nearby.

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A key reason why the tīpuna settled here, Lake Whatumā provided abundant and varied kai (food) all year round. Moana-i-Rokia Pā was a large hilltop stronghold, strategically positioned to overlook the valued lake.

Stop and reflect on this seat amidst farmlands, overlooking Lake Whatumā.

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The Pukeora limestone cliffs offer stunning views along the Tukituki River and towards the remnants of forests that were important to the tīpuna. They also overlook the sites of Ruatangaroa Pā, an ancient settlement, and Kaimanawa Pā, a taupahī (camping place) during food-gathering seasons.

Overlook the stunning natural landscape and the rohe (tribal area) from this elevated vantage point. Eat lunch at the covered picnic table.

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Built on a tall peak, this pā was given extraordinary defences. It was home to generations of rangatira (chiefs), and was never conquered in battle.

Look up at the range of mountains Horehore Pā stood upon from this stop in the centre of the small town of Takapau. There are public toilets nearby.

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