3242 - Mangatawhiri to Mercer (TA Trail)

3242 - Mangatawhiri to Mercer (TA Trail) - 24th May 2026

This walk, part of the Te Araroa trail, starts on SH2 at the Mangatāwhiri
River bridge. A path under the bridge takes us onto a stopbank that follows
the lower Mangatāwhiri River beside low-lying, polder-drained farmland.  We
then pass a swamp managed by Fish and Game and an impressive Archimedes
screw used for draining the farmland. Nearby is the site of the first battle
of the Waikato War where British troops invaded the Waikato by crossing the
Mangatāwhiri Stream in 1863. We cross under SH1 and do a short road walk
alongside the Waikato River to the Mercer service centre. Maybe refreshments
here?
The next section of the Trail starts in Skeet Road, Mercer and follows the
low ridges overlooking the motorway and Waikato River (great views) to the
site of Te Teoteo’s pa and the earthworks of the Whangamarino Redoubt, built
in 1863 by General Cameron. We re-join the bus here.  A total of 13.5 km.