TRAMPERS FOLLOW TE KOOTI’S TRAIL IN THE UREWERA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 89, 23 January 1950, Page 5

TRAMPERS FOLLOW TE KOOTI’S TRAIL IN THE UREWERA

Travelling through virgin bush rarely seen by the Pakeha 19 members of the Wellington Tramping Club had a rare experience when they completed a tramp through the Urewera Country recently, following the trails used by Te Kooti during the Hauhau Wars. Experiencing fine weather throughout the party enjoyed extreme kindness from the Maoris they met on the route.

The party left Papatotara Saddle on the Rotorua-Waikaremoana road and covered 60 miles on foot to arrive at Matahi, on the Waimana River eight days later. They travelled through fine native bush and, though many of the Maoris they met were too shy to speak to them, learned much of the history of the area.

A young Maori hunter, \ Koha Taniwha, guided them for part of the way. , Nearing the Bay of Plenty, Maoris overwhelmed them with kindness and, without thought of payment pressed potatoes, vegetables, milk, fowls and pork on the trampers. To the 19 the gifts were a great luxury after days of living on dehydated foods, which were carried to save weight. Several members of the partyhope to return to the area at Easter.