Te Aratia walkway, Mahia Peninsula, Saturday 8 November 2025
Banner Photo: You must have a dip when by the seaside
The Mahia Peninsula is steeped in romantic history. Rongomaiwahine, daughter of Chief Kahungunu, was a woman of great beauty, high status and much sought after. Unfortunately, the two single men in our group visiting the peninsula on Saturday were a few centuries too late.
There is something about Mahia on a hot sunny day that lifts the spirits. The big blue ocean and holiday beaches remind me of a Linn Lorkin song.
The ‘East to West’ walking trail
This is not really a tramping destination. But it does have a long walkway the locals call ‘Coast-to-Coast’ linking East to West. The building of this path was a community project completed three years ago. The path follows the Whangawehi River valley for several kilometres before crossing the river and heading up a forestry track to Kinikini Road on the western side of the peninsula.
The walkway through farmland
We split into two groups and started at opposite ends of the track to do a vehicle swap and shuttle, meeting halfway to exchange keys. The walk was three or four hours but the day was more like a social outing.
As we approached the rendezvous, we could hear the others like a marching dawn chorus. The name Mahia translates as ‘indistinct sound’. But the sound of the group as they walked was very distinct.
We finished the walk with an ice cream and paddle at the beach.
Thanks to Donna, Fiona and Bruce for providing transport.
The rendezvous ensured a group photo
Trampers: Fiona Bryant (and guest), Amelia Moorhead, Selina Chilton. Lynette Morgan, Robyn Smith, Shona Tupe, Donna Weston, Mary Campbell, John Russell, Kate Fuller, Julian Phillips and reporter Bruce Hodgson
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