The summit of Mt Hikurangi 1752masl was hiding in the cloud as we approached walking across the Pakihoroa
Station to the hut. Mt Hikurangi is sacred to the Ngati Porou people and the Government has assisted
them to buy the station. Carvings in contemporary style are in a circular arrangement high on the farm
where vehicular access is possible. Seven achieved the summit climb and the women were very grateful
for the assistance and encouragement given by the men on the loose scree and narrow path at the summit.
The walk was intensely satisfying. The summit of Mt Hikurangi is thought to be the first place to see
the sun each day.
The rest of the weekend was social as we travelled as tourists sightseeing,
dining and drinking coffee. Good Friday produced intermittent rain and wild seas. We visited the historic
Raukorore Church, Lottins Bay, Te Araroa with its oldest Pohutukawa, and the East Cape lighthouse. We
stayed at the Eastern backpackers at Rangitukia where June led us in a thoughtful Good Friday devotion
and people were fascinated by the pigs, horses and the total environment near the mouth of the Waiapu
river. Our Maori hosts were proud that George Nepia was born and buried at Rangitukia.. We visited the
beautifully carved memorial church at Tikitiki and we were reminded that Sir Apirana Ngata was from the
Ruatoria region. We were ready to walk on the Saturday and we walked further than planned when a new
road bridge lost its approach due to the rising stream. Some members continued to walk up the mountain
while others rested. On the Sunday three ladies decide that they would like to go to the summit and
three men assisted greatly.
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We descended the mountain and returned to our vehicle for travel to Tolaga Bay and its long wharf.
We travelled on to Gisborne and after a shower at the Waikanae beach camp we enjoyed a mighty meal at
the China Palace. Nelson led an Easter Sunday study . On Monday we visited Kaiti hill to see the brilliant
views of Poverty Bay before departing via the Waioeka Gorge. In the gorge we stopped to walk across
the historic Tauranga single span Suspension bridge which was built to open up the area for farming.
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Impressions of the trip were of a happy group of trampers enjoying the weekend through shared experiences.
The men learned a lot about coffee drinking. Did you know that the person selling is a barrista? In the
club we have one type of coffee but coffee shops have Latte, Tri Latte, Capuccino, Mocaccino, Pokacccino,
short black, long black, flat white, and double shot. What a time the coffee drinkers had and they rated
the coffee on a ten point scale. We travelled 1370km to climb the mountain.
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Cost: $139 (travel $62; food $17; accommodation $45; other expenses $15)
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