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kahurangi
Step into an ecological wonderland
and marvel at the astounding diversity of New Zealand’s
second largest national park.
Kahurangi means ‘Treasured Possession’ in Maori, and
this park lives up to it’s name. It encompasses much of the
north-western South Island, and has landscapes as diverse as high
alpine plateaux of red tussock and herb fields, plus some of the
deepest limestone caves in the country. Marble outcrops, natural
stone arches and New Zealand’s oldest fossils dating back
540 million years, can also be found here.
Exploring the park’s 570 km of tramping tracks is the main
attraction. Some of these are formed on ancient Maori greenstone
(jade) trails, goldminer’s paths and early European
explorer’s routes. The most popular is the Heaphy Track, one
of New Zealand’s Great Walks. This 82 km, 4 to 6 day journey
takes you from a goldmining valley over mountain peaks and open
tussock downs, to luxuriant sub-tropical forests, and along a
dramatic coastline. Other well-loved tramps in the area are
Wangapeka and Leslie-Karamea Tracks, which penetrate a wilderness
area inland from the West Coast. There are also numerous tracks
in the Cobb Valley and Mt Arthur Tablelands. Other activities to
be enjoyed within the park are rafting and kayaking on remote
rivers, fishing in the Karamea River and caving in the extensive
limestone regions. Access roads lead into the park from all the
main gateway towns; Motueka, Takaka, Karamea and Murchison.
Kahurangi National Park is richly endowed with a great variety of
vegetation in its dense forests. Some 50% of all New Zealand
plant species can be found here. The park’s highest regions
contain 80% of our alpine plant species. This treasure trove of
flora is matched by the variety of wildlife. Over 100 different
birds are present in the park including rare and threatened
species such as the rock wren and great spotted kiwi. Our largest
cave spider and twenty types of carnivorous snail also live here.
Be prepared to linger awhile in Kahurangi, as it takes time
absorb the diversity of this beautiful place.
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