Moawhango Forks

Tu Tangata, Issue 35, 1 April 1987, Page 34

Moawhango Forks

In his sketch of the Moawhango junction on the Rangitikei, Crawford graphicly depicts what journeying on this ancient waterway entailed. For although its volume was less than the Whanganui and as a consequence its rapids not so difficult to negotiate, the Rangitikei nevertheless posed problems for those who embarked upon the waters.

Because the Moawhango for its navigable section flowed through a deep canyon, keeping abreast of changing weather patterns was a never ending problem for travellers on this waterway. Not being caught out by a change in weather and a sudden rise in the river level was not made any simpler for travellers through the spreading forest canopy on both banks of the Moawhango. This effectively obscured the sky from view for lengthy stretches of its course.

On the Rangitikei poling was performed by the customary practice of the crew facing towards the bow. This was in direct contrast to the practice on the Whanganui where all but the steersman faced the stem.

Although Crawford reached Taupo by preceding up the Moawhango his choice of route was a roundabout way of going about things. In ancient times the Moawhango was the way that eventually led to Hawkes Bay, by way of the Ruahine Range.

The Waihohonu was a clear cold mountain river which had its source on Tongariro.

Not possessing an altimeter Crawford had no way of accurately judging the maximum height the road from the Rangitikei River mouth to Taupo reached. What he was certain of however, was that on the campsite on the Waihohonu River he was at a greater elevation than the inhabited region of Mokai Patea in the Ruahines which he had sighted some days earlier after

journey to Taupo, it nevertheless is an important historic record of the role this west coast river played in the transport system of earlier times. Chevalier recorded this scene of the partly forested and semi open country within a few years of Crawford’s roundabout route to Taupo. The scene is in the vicinity of Mokai Patea and is on the line of the ancient routes that linked Hawkes Bay with the Rangitikei and the western coastline of the lower North Island.

leaving the Moawhango river. In earlier times many a party had lost lives due to exposure to the elements when traversing this upland region with its rigorous climate and alpine scenery. The Waihohonu was a recognised campsite on the road to and from Taupo. Although this scene of the upper Rangitikei painted by Nicholas Chevalier is well above where Crawford and his party left the main stream to follow the Moawhango on their