Opapaka Pa Walk

Opapaka Pa Walk - Waitomo

Opapaka Pa Walk

Waitomo

2 Rankers Reviews

0 Face-to-Face

5 Waitomo

Your Nature Guide

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Marios Gavalas

Author And Researcher

Nau mai, haere mai

Nau mai, haere mai

I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.

I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!

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Photos

Kumara pits

Information

Opapaka Pa Walk

2 km return | 40 minutes return

There are few better places than Opapaka Pa to discover the anatomy of a Maori fortified site. Kumara pits and earthworks are well preserved.

Walking Track

Access

There’s a large parking area by the Waitomo Adventure Centre, 6.4 km from the junction with SH3. There are toilets at the Adventure Centre.

Track

The metalled and stepped track climbs through the forest.
At the fenceline, follow the orange triangles to the top of the hill where an information board explains life at the pa.

Terraces, ditches and kumara pits area all still clearly visible.

Polynesian History

The anatomy of pa is similar wherever you go. Sites were chosen atop hills or on headlands, the obvious advantage being an early sighting of approaching foes allowed time to prepare for combat. It also gave a tactical advantage during battle, as it’s easier to fight looking down on your enemy. Further advantage to the defenders came from constructing a defensive ditch, barricaded with a high wooden palisade, on which warriors could perch and repel advancing attackers.

Within the wooden palisades, a tihi, or elevated area, housed the chief, potaka (food storage houses usually set on stilts to avoid rats helping themselves to the food) and drying racks.

Outside the main fortifications were kumara pits and gardens.

Opapaka Pa was occupied in the late Eighteenth Century by Ngati Hia. A recorded battle took place with Taane Tinorau. Peace was offered by their chief laying down his dog skin cloak.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC Waikato

Central government organisation

Location

North IslandWaikatoWaitomo

Categories

  • Activity__walking_and_trekkingWalking
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-38.2633221601552

175.118944549561

Latitude
-38.2633221601552
Longitude
175.118944549561

Nearby

Reviews

  • 4.5/5

    Well maintained track with gorgeous views at the top.

    Took me 30 mins to walk up & back.

    Reviewed almost 4 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Walked up to Opapaka Pa - 2 adults, 30s and 60s and 3 children aged 2 and 5 and carrying a 1 year old in a backpack.

    One adult, myself, had back issues and normally avoided difficult walks. I wouldn't call it easy - it was steep a lot of the time, but the track was fairly dry, despite a lot of rain in the previous week, and also the steps were well placed apart and of a good height for easy stepping. The bush was beautiful and well worth the walk, the view amazing, the information on the trees was useful and interesting for the children and the pa site awe inspiring. With our children it took 1 hour 10 mins up and down. I felt lucky and grateful for being able to work through such a beautiful space.

    Reviewed over 4 years ago