Papamoa Hills

We went walking today into the Papamoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park (Te Rae o Papamoa) which covers a large complex of archaeological features with a culturally rich history. From the park visitors can see Mauao (Mount Maunganui) and the Tauranga harbour in the west through to Putauaki (Mount Edgecumbe) and Moutohora (Whale Island) in the east. Papamoa hill is the highest point on the ridge (224m above sea level). The Park can be seen from the coastline and from a wide area of the surrounding plains.

The Papamoa hill sites are important to local iwi. (Maori tribes and families). The hill is a boundary between the Mataatua and Te Arawa waka and the sites have significance to three iwi - Ngaiterangi, Ngati Pukenga (of Mataatua) and Waitaha A Hei (of Te Arawa). Maori have long understood the importance of the hills with their commanding position over the surrounding coastline. From Te Rae o Papamoa they could control the south-eastern access to Tauranga Moana and the coastal strip down to Maketu. Archaeologists suggest the history of Papamoa hills may begin around 1650 AD or even earlier. Papamoa is a large archaeological complex. There are at least seven pa sites in the Papamoa Hill Regional Park, and others can be seen in the surrounding landscape.

The bulk of the park was bought from the McNaughton Family who owned and farmed the land for more than 100 years. Further additions to the park include nine hectares provided by Fulton Hogan Ltd and 28 hectares adjacent to SH2. The total size of the park is 135 hectares.

Walking
There is one walking track from the car park to the summit. It takes 45 mins to reach the summit and the track rises steeply through pine forest up to the open ridge. Visitors may use any of the Park land. Sunscreen (especially today !!) and a sun hat for sunny days and good walking shoes are recommended.