TRACK INFO

Using an old settler dray road, you are able to penetrate deep into the wilderness of Whanganui National Park along the Matemateaonga Track.A lot of people look at walking this track then flag the idea because of the transport and arrangements required. The walk takes 3-4 days along the crest of the range, under the canopy of bush. A link with the age of pioneers only on foot and some along this very trail. The Matemateaonga Track is a well-defined, track standard for people of good average fitness. In the interest of safety “other tracks” adjacent to the walkway should be regarded as being of route standard only. There are four huts located at 6km, 19km, 29km, and 42km points.

HISTORY

The areas of four Maori tribes converge at the Matemateaonga Range, Nga Rauru (Waitotara) Ngati Ruanui (Patea) Ngati Maru (Upper Waitara) and Ngati Hau (Upper Whanganui). A map was drawn by surveyor H Skeet in 1907 shows that the route, now the walkway, was originally a Maori foot track. There was no permanent population, heavy frosts made Kumara cultivation very difficult. It is thought the tribes came seasonally to this area to quarry rock. The demand for stone adzes fell away with the arrival of Europeans and the introduction of steel.