Te Koru Pa @ Toptracks.info

Where is it? From New Plymouth drive to Oakura, taking the second left turn after Butlers Hotel onto Wairau Road. A further left turn is required onto Surrey Hill Road that winds its way to the end where there is a small parking area. The distance is around three kilometres from Oakura, and the road is sealed all the way. When parking consideration must be given to local residents and access for their vehicles. From the parking area begin a 500m downhill walk on a sealed driveway that turns to gravel as you arrive at three gates. Go through the centre gate, remembering to leave it as you found it. You will now be on a downhill grass path, which gets progressively wetter and muddier, with evidence of animal life. Gumboots are recommended. Go through the next gate and head toward the bush clad cliffs on the far side of the river. You will now be in a paddock, possibly with stock. After a couple of hundred metres, there is a gate or style that you cross before turning left towards an area of native bush. If you follow the fence line you will see to your right the red waharoa, which is the entrance to the pa. Head for this, while minding the stock, and you will see the first info board and stock proof gate. Upper level is the site of the wharepuni and view of the river. Just below this are remains of several kumara pits. Care is needed when viewing these, and the warning about staying on the paths becomes obviously necessary. Also around here are the stone walls that are not for climbing. The paths take you all the way down to the river. Expect the odd tree or branch across the path, negotiate rather than remove. Once at the river you begin the long trek back to the car park. The last part is particularly steep and will take longer than you expect.
Features This is where people actually lived and fought. This is a fantastic opportunity to actually experience a place like this rather than just read about or be told about it. Learning has to be that much greater if you can. For its age, the site is surprisingly well preserved. Go and have a look! Accessibility If it was relevant to the age of children being taught, you would make it down and back without problem. Extra time would be needed for some groups, it is a steep but not long, climb back to the car park.
Dangers For those who don’t stay on the tracks, they could discover hidden kumara pits. These are deep and could cause more than a nasty fright. The river is small and stony. Usual care required. Additional Notes for school groups A pre site visit would be essential. Allow at least 2 hours return from New Plymouth. Considerably longer though would be needed with a group. Contexts of study, definitely technology, obviously history, but all other curric areas could be integrated into a visit to Te Koru. The importance of the pre site visit cannot be stressed highly enough. This will enable you to determine the angle you want to take with your group.
The Department of Conservation website has several useful pages (see two links below) including an eight page PDF file called Te Koru Pa http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/for-teachers/ field-trip-resources/field-trips-by-region/wanganui/te-koru-pa-historic-reserve/ and http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/ places-to-visit/wanganui/taranaki-area/te-koru-pa-historic-reserve/ This information was gathered while on site in 2004.

Where is it?

From New Plymouth drive to Oakura, taking the second left turn after Butlers Hotel onto Wairau Road. A further left turn is required onto Surrey Hill Road that winds its way to the end where there is a small parking area. The distance is around three kilometres from Oakura, and the road is sealed all the way. When parking consideration must be given to local residents and access for their vehicles.

From the parking area begin a 500m downhill walk on a sealed driveway that turns to gravel as you arrive at three gates. Go through the centre gate, remembering to leave it as you found it. You will now be on a downhill grass path, which gets progressively wetter and muddier, with evidence of animal life. Gumboots are recommended. Go through the next gate and head toward the bush clad cliffs on the far side of the river.

You will now be in a paddock, possibly with stock. After a couple of hundred metres, there is a gate or style that you cross before turning left towards an area of native bush. If you follow the fence line you will see to your right the red waharoa, which is the entrance to the pa. Head for this, while minding the stock, and you will see the first info board and stock proof gate.
Upper level is the site of the wharepuni and view of the river.
Just below this are remains of several kumara pits. Care is needed when viewing these, and the warning about staying on the paths becomes obviously necessary. Also around here are the stone walls that are not for climbing.

The paths take you all the way down to the river. Expect the odd tree or branch across the path, negotiate rather than remove.

Once at the river you begin the long trek back to the car park. The last part is particularly steep and will take longer than you expect.


Te Koru Pa
Recommended times:
With a group, 3 hours, alone - one hour

This is the site of an ancient pa, thought to have been established around 1350 and occupied through to the 1820’s. Although overgrown, the earthworks and some features of occupation are clearly visible. Info boards explain features of the site.