Water Works Walk

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Marios Gavalas

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Huntly, Waikato

Camping near Huntly

Photos

Marios Gavalas

Dam from the water works

Marios Gavalas

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Information

1 km return | 1 hour return (generous)

A look at where Ngaruawahia got its water supply from back in the day.

Walking Track

Access

There is a parking area at Brownlee Avenue, where there are also toilets.

Track

After passing through the impressive welcoming gate (tomokanga), the track enters a parataniwha filled gully.

The metalled track has occasional steps which lead to the dam.

Return via the same track

Polynesian History

The name Hakarimata was conferred when a huge feast was prepared for guests ‘hakari kai mata’.

The tomokanga was unveiled in 2016 as a joint venture between DoC, Waikato District Council, Ngaruawahia Community Board and Waikato Tainui. It was carved by Master Carver Inia Te Wiata and depicts important tribal stories and histories.

European History

Tha Mangarata Dam was built in 1922 to top up Ngaruawahia’s water supply, which drew directly from the Waikato River. All materials were carried up the rough track without machines. The dam was in use all the way to the 1970s.

The Reservoir originally held 750,000 litres of water, but due to siltation holds only 66% of that volume now.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Waikato

Central government organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Huntly

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-37.6624719883618

175.141367816925

Latitude
-37.6624719883618
Longitude
175.141367816925

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	From 500m to 1km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? From 500m to 1km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? From 500m to 1km
Track Duration	30 mins to 1 hour Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 30 mins to 1 hour	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 30 mins to 1 hour
Track Difficulty	Easiest walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easiest walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easiest walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Large Vehicle Access	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Disabled Access	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Lesser Known Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.