The Far North
With its two domed towers (Arepa and Omeka, alpha and omega) and the Rātana emblem of the star and crescent moon, you could be forgiven for mistaking this temple for a mosque. Rātana is a Māori Christian sect with more than 50,000 adherents, formed in 1925 by Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, who was known as ‘the mouthpiece of God’. The temple is built on land where Rātana once stood, and the name translates as 'the sacred steps of the mouthpiece'.
You'll pass it at Te Kao, 46km south of Cape Reinga.
22.67 MILES
This dramatic headland is where the waters of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet, swirling and breaking together into waves up to 10m high in stormy…
14.36 MILES
A large chunk of the land around Cape Reinga is part of the Te Paki Recreation Reserves managed by DOC. It’s public land with free access; leave the gates…
25.27 MILES
Kauri forests covered this area for 100,000 years, leaving ancient logs and the much-prized gum (used for making varnish and linoleum) buried beneath…
3.26 MILES
On the east coast, Great Exhibition Bay has dazzling snow-white silica dunes. There’s no public road access, but some tours pay a koha (donation) to cross…
27.86 MILES
Part of the Carrington Resort complex, Karikari Estate produces wines of all hues and has a cafe attached. While the wine tastings are shamelessly…
3.26 MILES
On the east coast, Great Exhibition Bay has dazzling snow-white silica dunes. There’s no public road access, but some tours pay a koha (donation) to cross…
14.36 MILES
A large chunk of the land around Cape Reinga is part of the Te Paki Recreation Reserves managed by DOC. It’s public land with free access; leave the gates…
22.67 MILES
This dramatic headland is where the waters of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet, swirling and breaking together into waves up to 10m high in stormy…
25.27 MILES
Kauri forests covered this area for 100,000 years, leaving ancient logs and the much-prized gum (used for making varnish and linoleum) buried beneath…
27.86 MILES
Part of the Carrington Resort complex, Karikari Estate produces wines of all hues and has a cafe attached. While the wine tastings are shamelessly…