Centre of the North Island

80

Analysis

1 Rankers Review

1 Walking

14 Te Kuiti

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Marios Gavalas

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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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Te Kuiti, Waikato

Camping near Te Kuiti

Photos

Mike Locke

The mysterious Pureora Forest.....

Mike Locke

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Marios Gavalas

Monument at the centre of the North Island

Marios Gavalas

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Information

500 m return | 10 minutes return

Inscribed on the cairn is the explanation of how the centre of the North Island was found. At first it seems like a blague, but after consideration, the method was quite ingenious. You’ll have to visit to find out how it was done. We’re not telling.

Walking Track

Access

11.5 km from Pureora Field Centre along Link Road (9.2 km from Kakaho Road), the Centre of the North Island is signposted along Waimonoa Road.

After 3.0 km there is another sign on the left and the start of the track is shortly after.

Link Road has many branches coming off it. Most are forestry roads with locked gates, but Link Road has enough signage to reassure you that you’re not being led to the middle of nowhere.

Track

An even metalled track weaves through the forest to a cairn at the centre of the North Island.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Waikato

Central government organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Te Kuiti

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-38.5624960759803

175.786878967285

Latitude
-38.5624960759803
Longitude
175.786878967285

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	Up to 500m Track Length What is the physical length of this track? Up to 500m	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? Up to 500m
Track Duration	10 to 30mins Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins
Track Difficulty	Easy walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy 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	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
DOC Track Category	Easy access short walk DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Easy access short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. Few or no steps or slopes. Suitable for people of all abilities and fitness. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required.	DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Easy access short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. Few or no steps or slopes. Suitable for people of all abilities and fitness. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required.
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.

Nearby

Waikato ▷ Te Kuiti

Totara Walk
Waikato ▷ Te Kuiti

Waihora Lagoon Track
Waikato ▷ Te Kuiti

Omaru Falls track
Waikato ▷ Te Kuiti

Waikawau Beach Walk
Waikato ▷ Te Kuiti

Forest Tower
Waikato ▷ Te Kuiti

Historic Crawler Tractor
Waikato ▷ Te Kuiti

Pikiariki Tractor Hauler Track
Waikato ▷ Cambridge

Yarndley’s Bush
Waikato ▷ Cambridge

Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust

Reviews

4.0/5

Road from forest headquarters was ok for the first 8 or 9 km but then deteriorated into 4 wd road only.
Some big wheel ruts would have ordinary road cars bottoming out. At centre of North Island sign, a gentle walk through a nice area of forest about 8 mins brings you to the plaque. Back on the road, if you continue on it will take you to the main road that connects Turangi and Tokoroa.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago and experienced in February 2013

Chuck