2936 Mount Hikurangi

Easter Weekend 2nd to 5th April 2021

(courtesy of Google) ….”Mount Hikurangi (or Te  Ara ki Hikurangi in Maori), is a 1,752m (5748 feet) peak in the eastern corner of New Zealand’s North Island, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Gisborne and 50 kilometres (31 miles) southwest of East Cape Lighthouse. On a spur of the Raukumara Range in the Waiapu Valley, it is the North Island’s highest non-volcanic peak”.

Our Club undertakes a pilgrimage to this historic maunga approximately every two years and almost always on a long weekend due to the time needed to travel there and back. Again, from Google,” in Maori mythology, it was the first part of the North Island to emerge when Maui pulled it as a giant fish from the ocean.” So, there are several reasons to add a climb to the summit of this high peak. But surprisingly, although Hikurangi stands aloft from other peaks, it has the nearby satellite summits of Whanokao (1,428 m), Wharekia (1,106m) and Taitai (678m) to keep it company. They all combine to make a wonderful panorama.

We leave Hamilton on Thursday night and travel to either Whakatane or Opotiki where we stay the night. The next day it takes most of the morning to drive to the trail head at Pakihiroa Station, in the Tapuaeroa Valley. After signing in with the farmer, we walk 4-5 hours up farmland on a 4WD track to the hut (10 bunks but can take up to 12 persons). We have booked Hikurangi Hut for two nights ($30 per person). The next day we head for the summit, which is a 4/6-hour return trip. On Sunday (extra summit day if bad weather Saturday) we will travel to Te Araroa and stay the night after first visiting the East Cape and its lighthouse. Monday will involve a leisurely drive back to Hamilton.

Please Note:  This trip will be limited to 10-12 persons only and preference will be given to those who have yet to attempt Mt Hikurangi. We will all travel in a van as the cost for the 4-day hire requires a full loading.

Click map to enlarge