Mount Hikurangi - Te Ara ki Hikurangi, Kawakawa-Hikurangi, Other
Mount Hikurangi, inland from Ruatoria. Hikurangi (1754 metres) is the first point on mainland New Zealand to see the sunrise each day. It is the sacred mountain of Ngati Porou, and was said to be the first piece of land to emerge when Maui fished up the North Island. The mountain is now said to be the resting place of the waka (canoe) Nukutaimemeha, the waka that Maui used on his famous fishing voyage. .
The Hikurangi track is on Pakihiroa Station. It runs through private land and may be closed from time to time. From the car park to the hut takes trampers 4-5 hours and from the hut to the summit 2-3 hours. For access information and to book the hut see the DOC website. If you do not fancy tramping Ngati Porou offer 4 wheel drive tours.
The impressive sculptures on Mt Hikurangi two-thirds of the way up Mount Hikurangi were commissioned by Te Runanga o Ngati Porou as part of the millennium celebrations. The centre carving represents Maui, and the remaining eight mark the points of the traditional compass.
Photos courtesy of Peter Whiteford.
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