Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park is a protected area at Ōhiwa in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island, owned and managed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council in partnership with the Upokorehe hapū.[1]
The park covers 26.8 hectares, with views to Kohi Point in the west across Ohiwa Harbour, and east towards East Cape.[1]
The park includes several culturally and archaeologically important sites to Upokorehe, including Onekawa Pā.[1]
Features
Onekawa Pā is the central feature of the park.[1] A 90-minute walking track leads through ancient puriri and other native bush to the top of the pā, and then through a working farm to Bryans Beach and back to the carpark.[2]
A side track leads to a waterfall and glow-worms.[2]
Horse trekking, camping, motorbikes, mountain bikes, fires, rubbish and unleashed dogs are banned to protect historic sites in the area.[1] Bryans Beach is also a swimming spot during summer.[2]
History
The Onekawa Pā has a long history of occupation, including by the leaders of Repanga, Kahuki and Tuamutu. The surrounding area has been the site of several battles.[1]
Ringatū prophet and warrior Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki settled in the area before his death in 1893.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park". boprc.govt.nz. Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
- ^ a b c d Webby, Kim (29 November 2020). "Postcards from Aotearoa: Kayaking on Ohiwa Harbour". stuff.co.nz. Stuff Travel.