Raukawa's old canoe routes – heading south

Tu Tangata, Issue 27, 1 December 1985, Page 42

Raukawa's old canoe routes - heading south

For the South Island, crossing the point of departure was Ohau Bay at the western extremity of the North Island.

The course was set for Cape Koamaru, the northern headland of Arapawa Island, which was in line of sight.

Off Cape Koamaru canoes destined for the eastern seaboard of the South Island would here turn southward till Tory Channel was reached. At Whekenui, a sandy bay just within the entrance to the channel, they would come ashore for a welcome rest.

Parties proceeding to Tasman or Golden Bay and Durville Island would round Koamaru and head for Waikawaiti near Cape Jackson on the South Island.

Parties setting forth from Waikawaiti and bound for the North Island could encounter deteriorating sea conditions when abreast of Cape Koamaru. Under these circumstances the policy was to alter course and hug the eastern coast of Arapawa and come ashore at Tungongo until weather and sea conditions improved.

There is however some confusion over this present day placename as in old traditional chants the place of departure is referred to as Omere. This is the range of coastal hills in the background and is a prominent geographical feature of the landscape from the Horowhenua coast to the north. However when viewed from the South Island Omere is anything but a prominent landmark for coastal navigators of old to steer for.

In olden times the tohungas judged if short term weather and sea conditions were favourable from a vantage point on the Omere ridge. This site gave an uninterrupted view of Cook Strait to Otaki 68 kilometres to the North and to Cape Campbell approximately the same distance to the south. The pit which records the observation post is roughly where the background coastal range begins to rise behind the head of the bay.

Today Ohau Bay is uninhabited and the only reminders of its interesting past are the ample signs of early Maori occupation which span the centuries.