95-630: The Big Rimu Walk is a nature trail near Karamea , located in Kahurangi National Park on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. A short walk of 1.1 kilometres (0.68 mi) through regenerating bush leads to a large rimu tree ( Dacrydium cupressinum ) that is 36 metres (118 ft) tall with a trunk over two metres (6 ft 7 in) in diameter and estimated to be over 1,000 years old. Other smaller rimu in
190-418: A basin at around 200 m (660 ft) elevation that is covered in dense forest and drained by the Ōpārara River . It is located 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Karamea . The basin is notable for a network of caves rich in fossils, and its large natural rock arches. Ōpārara Arch is New Zealand’s largest natural arch, at 200 m (660 ft) in length and 37 m (121 ft) in height. The area
285-864: A block of land of 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) had been reserved on the south side of the Karamea River , and in April 1875 a further 1,667 acres (675 ha) was reserved on the north side of the Karamea River . The planning of the settlement was placed under the control of Eugene O'Conor , Provincial Secretary, and member of the New Zealand House of Representatives . The settlers at Karamea were mostly immigrants from four ships that arrived at Nelson between August 1874 and February 1875. The first settlers to arrive in Karamea were landed from
380-524: A breach channel to allow the next major flood to cut a new direct route to the sea, and mitigate the flood risk. Breach channels were constructed at the north end of the spit and a direct path was opened to the sea in 2017. The Regional Council cautioned that further interventions could be required in future to keep the outlet in a northern location. In July 2020, the West Coast Regional council secured funding to support Clean Streams Karamea,
475-517: A general store, supermarket, petrol pumps, information centre, cafe, hotel, camping ground, motels, backpackers, art & craft shop, and a community library. The Karamea War Memorial Library was opened in 1954 and for decades shared its building with the Plunket rooms. It expanded to occupy the whole building in the mid 1990s, and now operates as an entirely volunteer-run library with approximately 50 subscriptions. The Karamea Centennial Museum
570-425: A locally based not-for-profit environmental group. The funding will enable the raising and planting of 315,000 trees along 80 kilometres (50 mi) of riparian margins of waterways through farms. The project is expected to take 3–5 years. Karamea town covers 66.08 km (25.51 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 430 as of June 2024, with a population density of 6.5 people per km . The town had
665-546: A permanent option over the colder part of the year. Mountain biking the Heaphy Track is now allowed each year from 1 May to 30 November for groups not exceeding six riders. Karamea is 96 kilometres (60 mi) north of Westport on State Highway 67 . There is no other connecting road to the town – the road north ends at the Kohaihai River some 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Karamea, at the southwestern end of
760-762: A population density of 0.29 people per km . The statistical area had a population of 714 at the 2018 New Zealand census , a decrease of 54 people (−7.0%) since the 2013 census , and a decrease of 84 people (−10.5%) since the 2006 census . There were 381 households, comprising 393 males and 324 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.21 males per female. The median age was 53.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 99 people (13.9%) aged under 15 years, 60 (8.4%) aged 15 to 29, 378 (52.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 177 (24.8%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 92.0% European/ Pākehā , 10.5% Māori , 2.9% Pasifika , 0.8% Asian , and 3.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
855-621: A population of 354 at the 2018 New Zealand census , a decrease of 21 people (−5.6%) since the 2013 census , and a decrease of 69 people (−16.3%) since the 2006 census . There were 204 households, comprising 195 males and 159 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.23 males per female, with 51 people (14.4%) aged under 15 years, 18 (5.1%) aged 15 to 29, 195 (55.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 99 (28.0%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 93.2% European/ Pākehā , 6.8% Māori , 3.4% Pasifika , 2.5% Asian , and 3.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. Although some people chose not to answer
950-480: A result of complex biogeographic processes, and indicates that during the Pleistocene ice ages, the area was an important refuge. The complex geology and landforms have allowed unique plant communities to develop in localised environments, leading to a high rate of endemism. The park has exceptional botanical diversity. New Zealand has around 2,400 species of native plants, and over half of these are found in
1045-555: A site near the mouth of the Whakapoāi ( Heaphy River ) showing evidence of local Māori hunting bush moa , kekeno , and kurī . Excavation of the same site also demonstrated connections to trade routes running throughout New Zealand, with pounamu from the Arahura region and obsidian from Mayor Island / Tūhua in the Bay of Plenty both being used in the area. Māori interaction with
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#17327874332421140-626: Is New Zealand's second-largest national park, with an area of 5,193 km (2,005 sq mi). It covers most of the north-west corner of the South Island, and extends from the Buller River near Murchison in the south, to the base of Farewell Spit in Golden Bay in the north. The park has no single dominant landform, but includes an unusually wide variety of landscapes, including mountain ranges, rivers, gorges, raised peneplains and karst features such as caves and arches. Many of
1235-470: Is a small dairy farming village located 17 kilometres (11 mi) south of Karamea. It has a surfing beach and a river popular for whitebaiting and fishing. There is a large estuary known as Ōtūmahana, at the mouth of the Karamea River. This estuary is also the mouth of Baker Creek and Granite Creek. The combined river mouths have formed a shallow mudflat and salt marsh estuary with an area of approximately 400 hectares (990 acres). This type of environment
1330-536: Is a small museum opened in 1974. The museum collections include photographs and exhibits on the local industries of sawmilling, dairying, gold mining, flax milling and shipping. Kahurangi National Park Kahurangi National Park is a national park in the northwest of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the second largest of the thirteen national parks of New Zealand . It was gazetted in 1996 and covers 5,193 km (2,005 sq mi), ranging from
1425-491: Is a tussock-covered basin at around 600 m (2,000 ft) elevation, surrounded by forest. It occupies an area of around 6,500 ha (16,000 acres). The area has unusual flora and fauna and was first declared as a sanctuary in 1915. This area is a peneplain, a low-relief plain formed from prolonged erosion. Beneath the tussock in the Gouland Downs are sandstone and mudstone sedimentary rocks that were formed in
1520-403: Is complex, and is the most diverse of any of New Zealand's protected areas. It includes the best sequence of palaezoic rocks in the country. The complexity of these rock formations suggest that they result from the collision of three former continents. Kahurangi National Park also contains 80% of all New Zealand's alpine species. It also contains around 18 endemic bird species. The park includes
1615-475: Is considered as one of the most outstanding examples of limestone karst landscapes in New Zealand. There are multiple short walks in the area that are popular with visitors. The Honeycomb Hill Cave area in the basin was discovered in 1976, and in 1982 was given the status of a site of global significance in paleozoology due to discoveries of bones of several species that had become extinct. In 1984,
1710-591: Is in the park, upstream of Seddonville . The Aorere River and its tributaries have a catchment area of 573 km (221 sq mi) draining the Haupiri and Wakamarama ranges in the north of the park. The river flows northwards for 40 km (25 mi) into Golden Bay at the town of Collingwood . The Wangapeka River drains eastern regions of the park, and has a catchment area of 479 km (185 sq mi). The oldest fossils ever found in New Zealand were identified during an expedition in 1948 in
1805-429: Is known for its steep cliffs. The boundary of the park extends to mean high water springs , so does not include beaches below the high tide mark. The entire coastline from Kōhaihai to Kahurangi Point is considered nationally significant because it is almost totally unmodified, and includes a narrow strip of highly diverse coastal forest, including nīkau palms . The nīkau palms are New Zealand's only native species in
1900-470: Is located in the central and western areas of the park, inland of the Ōpārara Basin and to the south of the route of the Heaphy Track. The centre of the wilderness area is Lake Aorere adjacent to Mount Domett (elevation 1,645 m (5,397 ft). The wilderness area includes the catchments of the Roaring Lion , Spey, Burgoo, Beautiful, and Ugly rivers, among others. It takes around a week to traverse
1995-461: Is one of the largest marine reserves around the North or South Islands. The northern end of the coast is a habitat for fur seals (Kekeno) and Hector's dolphins , and driftwood along the coast is a habitat for animals like earwigs, sandhoppers and spiders. Rocky reefs and seastacks provide a habitat for encrusting animals, invertebrates and inshore fish that thrive in murky waters. The Gouland Downs
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#17327874332422090-541: Is significant evidence of stoneworking, including local pounamu as well as argillite , obsidian , and chert imported from elsewhere in Aotearoa. The significance of the site to Ngāi Tahu led to it being excluded from Kahurangi National Park . The first Europeans and Chinese would have been early gold-miners in the 1860s. In the early 1870s, the Nelson Provincial Government investigated
2185-528: Is the deepest known cave in New Zealand. It has been explored to a depth of 1,024 metres, and its 33.4 kilometres of cave passages make it New Zealand's second longest. Kahurangi National Park is known for its biodiversity. A metaphor used in describing the park is that it is a "tectonic ark" that separated from Gondwana around 80 million years ago. There is a particularly high rate of endemism for both flora and fauna, with many notable species that are not found elsewhere. The high level of endemism has arisen as
2280-534: Is the northernmost settlement of any real size on the West Coast, and is located 96 kilometres (60 mi) northeast by road from Westport . Apart from a narrow coastal strip, the town of Karamea and its local area are completely surrounded to the south, east and north by Kahurangi National Park . The town is located on the coastal plain adjacent to the Karamea River and the Ōtūmahana Estuary . The town consists of two small settlements, Market Cross and Karamea proper, located about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) apart. Up
2375-505: Is vulnerable and is nationally uncommon. The estuary is an important feeding and breeding area for birds and fish. The estuary is the third largest tidal estuary on the West Coast, after Ōkārito Lagoon and Saltwater Lagoon . It has been classified as a Significant Wetland by the West Coast Regional Council in its Regional Land and Water Plan. A small specially protected area of wetland known as Ōtūmahana Reserve
2470-545: The Big Rimu Walk . Karamea provides a base for transport and accommodation for visitors coming to the area for mountain biking . Prior to the establishment of Kahurangi National Park in 1996, mountain biking was a popular activity on the Heaphy Track. In the final 12 months before the North West Nelson Forest Park became a National Park, around 2,000 mountain bikers completed the route. At
2565-432: The Buller River near Murchison in the south, to the base of Farewell Spit in Golden Bay in the north. The park has no single dominant landform, but includes an unusually wide variety of landscapes, including mountain ranges, rivers, gorges, raised peneplains and karst features such as caves and arches. Many of the landforms within the park are considered to be nationally or internationally significant. Its geology
2660-464: The Cobb Reservoir – a hydro-electric storage lake that is entirely surrounded by the national park. The tablelands to the west of Mount Arthur are a rolling landscape of tussock and karst features at an elevation of around 1,200 m (3,900 ft). The area is surrounded by the peaks of Mount Lodestone (1,462 m), Mount Arthur (1,795 m) and Mount Peel (1,654 m). The Ōpārara Basin is
2755-718: The Department of Conservation . Much of what was the North-west Nelson Forest Park formed the basis of the new park. Kahurangi Point , regarded as the boundary between the West Coast and Tasman Regions , is located in the park, as is Mount Owen . There is archaeological evidence that Māori had settled the Kahurangi coastline from around 1380 CE , with pā sites on coastal ridges and evidence of more substantial habitation found around several of
2850-483: The Heaphy River . Apart from a narrow coastal strip, the town of Karamea and its local area are completely surrounded to the south, east and north by Kahurangi National Park . There are two main areas of residential accommodation and businesses on the north side of the Karamea River. These are Market Cross and the settlement of Karamea itself. These two locations are around 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) apart. On
2945-579: The Heaphy Track , a popular tramping and mountain biking track that is classified as one of New Zealand's Great Walks . Another multi-day tramping track in the park is the Wangapeka Track . In addition to tramping, rafting and caving are popular activities. Several locations in the national park were used during the making of The Lord of the Rings film series. The park is managed by
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3040-468: The Heaphy Track , one of New Zealand's nine "Great Walks", is at the Kohaihai River , about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Karamea. The western end of the Wangapeka Track is near Little Wanganui, around 18 kilometres (11 mi) south of Karamea. Popular attractions in the area include the Ōpārara Basin , (including the Ōpārara Basin Arches ), Honeycomb Hill Cave , Fenian Track and caves, and
3135-441: The Heaphy Track . As at 2018, the road to Karamea was funded by Waka Kotahi via a special purpose road funding category, but the agency signalled that this funding category could end by 2024. Air transport is available from Karamea Aerodrome . Golden Bay Air flies from Karamea to from Wellington, Takaka and Nelson. There is also a helicopter charter service at the aerodrome. Karamea township offers local services including
3230-534: The Lower Palaeozoic era around 400 to 500 million years ago. They are some of the oldest rocks in New Zealand. These rocks were worn down by erosion to form the peneplain around 100 million years ago. They were then submerged beneath a shallow sea, and limestone was deposited on top of the older sedimentary rocks. The land was subsequently uplifted, and erosion removed most of the limestone, leaving isolated outcrops that now appear like tree-covered islands in
3325-563: The North-west Nelson Forest Park as part of the amalgamation of eight forest parks in the region, under the management of the New Zealand Forest Service . At the time, many of the tracks in the park were overgrown. The Forest Service started on a programme of work to promote recreation in the park, including cutting new tracks and building huts. An environmental lobby group, the Maruia Society, advocated for
3420-497: The rock wren , kea , blue duck (whio), and species such as the great spotted kiwi and kākā (both classified as vulnerable). Other native birds that can be found in the park include pipit , kererū , the New Zealand falcon , weka , robin , fantail , bellbird , grey warbler , tūī , tomtit , rifleman , fernbird and brown creeper . In addition to the whio, freshwater birds that are found in wetlands and waterways in
3515-778: The Cobb Valley at a site that is now within Kahurangi National Park. The fossils were identified as trilobites from the Cambrian (542–490 Ma), the first period of the paleozoic era. A tramping hut near to the location of the find is known as Trilobite Hut. Fossils of takahē have been found at Mt Arthur and in the Euphrates Cave on the Garibaldi Plateau. The Euphrates Cave skull supports "the hypothesis that takahē were widespread across
3610-799: The Colony, as well as new immigrants. The Nelson Special Settlements Act was passed on 25 October 1872, to allow the scheme to proceed, but there were disputes with central government about allowing the scheme to extend to those already resident. Prior to 1874, the Nelson Province had not been significantly involved in the immigration schemes organised by the Colonial Government , but in October of that year, around 250 adults arrived in Nelson seeking work, and another shipload of immigrants
3705-614: The Department of Internal Affairs in the year ending 31 March 1916. In 1918, the Department of Lands and Survey reported that 16,000 acres (6,500 ha) of Crown land, including the Gouland Downs, had been reserved under the Scenery Preservation Act 1903 . The protected area was reported to be rare and valuable, and included the habitat of kākāpō , kiwi , weka , and other native birds. In 1970, approximately 360,000 ha (890,000 acres) of land were gazetted as
3800-449: The Heaphy Track. The name Karamea is Māori – despite local jokes suggesting it was named by an Italian for his love – and is thought to either mean "red ochre" or be a corruption of Kakara taramea , "the smell of speargrass leaves." The name is used for the township and also for the surrounding area. Large shell middens have been found in the area. Radiocarbon dating indicates that these middens are associated with occupation in
3895-546: The Kahurangi coast were almost exterminated within two decades. The establishment of the New Zealand Company ’s settlement at Nelson in 1841 led to exploitation of timber, flax and coal resources in the region. One of the early European settlers to discover the tablelands in the Mount Arthur area was Thomas Salisbury. He wrote to The Colonist in 1863, claiming to have discovered gold in stream beds in
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3990-482: The Karamea River are the farming areas of Arapito (on the south bank) and Umere (on the north bank). Karamea is a gateway to the Kahurangi National Park, and provides a base for visitors coming to walk or mountain bike the Heaphy Track , or see popular local attractions such as the Ōpārara Basin , Ōpārara Arches , the Fenian Track and caves, the Big Rimu Walk and the coastal scenery north of Kōhaihai on
4085-427: The Karamea area, with all roads in the district closed and nearly all bridges damaged. Houses were badly damaged, with no chimneys left standing, and some houses burnt down. The wharf and wharf sheds were also badly damaged. The road from Westport to Karamea was severely damaged by large landslides, and telephone lines were broken completely isolating the town. A party travelled on foot from Karamea to Westport to report
4180-494: The Karamea harbour while the road was rebuilt. Dairy farming in the area began with the opening of the first Karamea Co-operative Dairy Company in 1893. This company struggled with payouts to farmers less than expectations and the venture was wound up in March 1897. There was no further progress until 1906, when J Curtin & Co opened a butter factory near the site of the 1893 plant. A newly formed Karamea Co-operative Dairy Company
4275-645: The Karamea township. In August 1931, the settlers were given access to relief funding from the West Coast Earthquake Relief Fund for the damage caused by these floods. Over the next few years, stop banks and training walls were constructed on the north side of the river to help mitigate the flood risk to the town. In May 1936 the Karamea School Committee notified the Education Board of their concerns about
4370-592: The South Island's subalpine habitats and lowland areas at the time of human arrival in New Zealand". The geology of Kahurangi National Park is complex, and is the most diverse of any of New Zealand's protected areas. It includes the best sequence of palaezoic rocks in the country. The complexity of these rock formations suggest that they result from the collision of three former continents. The park has extensive limestone and marble formations, natural arches, sinkholes and bluffs. It also includes three of New Zealand's largest cave systems. The Ellis Basin cave system
4465-455: The airstream continues to the east beyond the mountains, it holds much less moisture, leading to reduced annual rainfall in the east. The effect can be seen in the west to east progression of average annual rainfall in towns to the north of the park boundary, with Collingwood having 3,371 mm (132.7 in), Tākaka having 2,012 mm (79.2 in), and Motueka 1,341 mm (52.8 in). The park receives high annual rainfall, with
4560-459: The annual rainfall can reach 6,000 mm (240 in). However, on the eastern side of the park, the climate is typically drier. In prevailing westerly conditions, moisture-laden air from the Tasman Sea is forced to rise over the high elevations of the western ranges. As the air rises, it cools and the stored water vapour condenses to form rain. This is known as orographic precipitation . As
4655-445: The area were logged during the 1940s but this large tree was left. The regenerating forest is dominated by kāmahi and nīkau , but there are also small rimu trees emerging. The large rimu itself has a northern rātā vine on the trunk, with extensive rātā foliage in the canopy. The tree hosts a large collection of epiphytes. One notable feature of the track to the large rimu is the presence of Dawsonia —a giant moss—growing alongside
4750-415: The average annual rainfall in many areas exceeding 4,800 mm (190 in). Rainfall intensity can exceed 240 mm (9.4 in) in 24 hours, over much of the park. The high annual rainfall and high intensity, combined with the complex landforms and mountainous terrain creates a large number of steep rivers with the potential to cause significant flooding of low-lying land in the flood plains surrounding
4845-459: The average daily high temperature is between 21 °C (70 °F) and 23 °C (73 °F) with lows between 10 °C (50 °F) and 11 °C (52 °F). July is the coldest month, with average daily high of 13 °C (55 °F) and lows of 1 °C (34 °F). The average annual rainfall at Karamea, at the western boundary of the park is around 2,400 mm (94 in) but at sites with western exposure and at higher elevations,
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#17327874332424940-628: The census's question about religious affiliation, 61.9% had no religion, 24.6% were Christian and 2.5% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 30 (9.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 78 (25.7%) people had no formal qualifications. 27 people (8.9%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 114 (37.6%) people were employed full-time, 63 (20.8%) were part-time, and 12 (4.0%) were unemployed. Karamea statistical area covers 3,129.18 km (1,208.18 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 900 as of June 2024, with
5035-531: The damage caused by repeated flooding of the school. Relocation to a new site was proposed. In October 1936 there was a further major flood that entered 40 houses in Karamea and Market Cross. In September 1937, a large flood led to the river breaking through to the sea at the location of the old river mouth, cutting a new channel that greatly reduced the flood risk to the town and enabled the entry of vessels at high tide. Further river protection works were installed between 1938 and 1940, and these successfully defended
5130-512: The damage. The earthquake disrupted efforts underway at the time to control an outbreak of diphtheria in the settlement, and it was necessary for serum to be delivered by air. The earthquake caused the silting up of the harbour and cut the community's road link for about two years. The reconstruction of the road over the hilly section between Mokihinui and Little Wanganui required a workforce up to 400 men at times. Small coastal vessels were used to transport people and supplies between Westport and
5225-529: The early 1600s from the western North Island by way of the Marlborough Sounds and successfully displaced local Māori. This dominance of the region lasted for roughly 200 years, until other iwi began to encroach on the area in the early 1800s. Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri eventually succumbed to invasions by Ngāti Apa from the Kāpiti Coast to the northeast, Ngāti Kuia from the east, and Ngāi Tahu from
5320-604: The establishment of a new national park in the area from the 1980s. In 1987, the management of the North West Nelson Forest Park was transferred to the newly formed Department of Conservation. The following year, an area of 86,946 ha (214,850 acres) within the Forest Park was designated as the Tasman Wilderness Area under the National Parks Act 1980 section 14, as an important step towards
5415-594: The first systematic discovery campaign led to finds of the bones of fifty birds, most of which were extinct species. In 2008, an area of 38 ha (94 acres) was designated as the Honeycomb Hill Caves Specially Protected Area. Access to this area is restricted and by permit only. The Tasman Wilderness Area is protected as a wilderness area under the National Parks Act 1980 section 14. The Tasman Wilderness covers 86,946 ha (214,850 acres) within Kahurangi National Park. It
5510-503: The formation of a new national park. Although the area does not have the iconic geographic features of previously established New Zealand national parks, at the time of its creation there was increasing interest in protecting biodiversity and geodiversity. Creation of a new national park was recommended by the Conservation Authority in 1993, but the Kahurangi National Park was not established until 1996. The new park
5605-406: The inland areas of the region was generally less common. Outside of frequently used trade routes connecting the top of the South Island to the West Coast, this was typically limited to seasonal hunting expeditions rather than the more permanent habitation along the coast. For much of the region's history, Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri were mana whenua (held authority in) the region, having arrived in
5700-517: The landforms within the park are considered to be nationally or internationally significant. The western boundary of the park follows the route of the Heaphy Track along the coast from just south of the Kōhaihai River past Scotts Beach and north to the mouth of the Heaphy River . The route of the Heaphy Track then moves inland, but the park boundary carries on along the coastline to just past Kahurangi Point . This northern section of coastline
5795-529: The official opening, a ministerial party led by the prime minister, Jim Bolger , Denis Marshall, and Nick Smith (MP for the Tasman electorate ) was flown by helicopter to Balloon Hut, south of the Cobb Reservoir. From there, they walked out via Flora Hut. Five small parcels consisting of unmodified coastal areas and forest with high conservation values totalling 900 ha (2,200 acres) were added to
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#17327874332425890-525: The palm family, and the section of coastline north of Kōhaihai is one of the easiest places to see large groves. The grove close to the Kohaihai end of the Heaphy Track is claimed to be the largest in the South Island. The Kahurangi Marine Reserve is not part of the national park but is immediately adjacent to its western coastline. It extends along 16 km (9.9 mi) between Wekakura Point and Crayfish Point, and 5 km (3.1 mi) out to sea. It
5985-465: The park in 2016. In 2007, Kahurangi National Park was added to the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites , along with Farewell Spit and the Canaan karst system. The Mōkihinui River is a river on the West Coast about 40 kilometres north of Westport . The river catchment area is a largely unmodified landscape of open tussock, podocarp-beech forests, and the pristine river itself. The area
6080-520: The park include the Australasian bittern (classified as vulnerable), and the New Zealand scaup . The park is also a key habitat for powelliphanta , a group of carnivorous native land snails. Of the 64 known species of powelliphanta , 29 are endemic — found only in Kahurangi National Park. Both of New Zealand's only native land mammals, the short-tailed bat (pekapeka) and the long-tailed bat (pekapeka tou-roa) have been identified in
6175-488: The park, including 67 that are endemic – found nowhere else. The range of species present in the park far exceeds the diversity of native plants in any other New Zealand National Park. Further, Kahurangi National Park has 80% of all New Zealand's alpine species. Notable plants that are endemic to Kahurangi National Park or the immediately adjacent region include: The fauna of the park includes around 18 endemic bird species including some classified as endangered such as
6270-557: The park. The Karamea River drains to the Tasman Sea through the Ōtūmahana Estuary at Karamea, and is the largest river in the park. It has a catchment area of 1,210 km (470 sq mi) including its tributaries that represents around 23% of the entire area of Kahurangi National Park. Another major river draining the western areas of the park is the Mōkihinui, with a total catchment area of approximately 750 km (290 sq mi) of which 685 km (264 sq mi)
6365-471: The park. A new species of skink, Oligosoma kahurangi was identified in 2021. It was found in slate scree in montane tussock grassland. It has been classified as Threatened − Nationally Critical. There is a wide diversity of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates in the park, and many of these are endemic, such as the Mt Arthur giant wētā . The extensive areas of karst and multiple cave systems within
6460-407: The period AD 1400 to AD 1600. The evidence suggests that the site was used by Māori as a temporary stopping place on the route down the coast to collect pounamu . The mouth of the Heaphy River is the site of an early Māori encampment dating back to perhaps 1380 AD, and there is evidence it was one of the few sites in the northwest South Island occupied by people for extended periods of time. There
6555-623: The river mouths and estuaries in the area. The Anaweka waka found near the park's western boundary was built as early as 1226 CE, and was sailed as late as 1400 CE. It is one of only two-long distance voyaging canoes known to have survived to modern times, and was probably used for return journeys from New Zealand back to the Pacific. The mouth of the Anaweka River , where the waka was discovered, supported many settlements. The area had an abundance of food resources, with middens from
6650-531: The sea. From December 2010, the combined opening migrated south. Between 2013 and 2015, the channel moved further south by over 2 kilometres (1.2 mi). In 2016, the channel was 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) south of the most direct route from the river to the sea. This southern location of the channel increases the risk of flooding in some areas of Karamea. A report to the West Coast Regional Council in 2016 recommended mechanical excavation of
6745-400: The service industry employs approximately a quarter of the workforce. Other former industries in the area include sphagnum moss , possum control, fishing, and fine furniture production. Horticultural tomato growers and a plant nursery also provide income. Fruit grown in the area includes tamarillo , which can be grown here due to the area's mild and frost-free microclimate . In 2020, it
6840-625: The size of the park by 14%. The area added to the park includes part of the route of the Old Ghost Road , a 85-kilometre (53 mi) mountain biking and hiking trail that follows a historic gold miners' route. The significance of the Mokihinui region to the Ngāi Tahu iwi and Ngāti Waewae, the rūnanga for the area, was marked with the placement of a pouwhenua in July 2019. Kahurangi
6935-418: The south of the existing outlet. Deposits of silt raised the level of the river bed and led to a greatly increased risk of flooding in the townships of Karamea and Market Cross. On 30 December 1929 there was heavy damage in Karamea and Arapito from a sudden flood attributed to the breach of a dam created during the earthquake. In April 1931, floodwaters entered most of the homes around Market Cross, and some in
7030-406: The south side of the river, and 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) inland, is the small settlement of Arapito , and across the river from it is the settlement of Umere . These were originally called Promised Land and Land of Promise , respectively, when they were settled around 1880. The mouth of the Ōpārara River is around 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north of the centre of Karamea. Little Wanganui
7125-468: The south, losing a decisive battle to the latter near Whanganui Inlet . Mana whenua status in the area was contested for much of the early 19th century, eventually settling with Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui , Ngāti Rārua and Ngāti Tama having authority in the Tasman region and Ngāi Tahu controlling from Kahurangi Point south. Early Europeans to visit the area were sealers. The seal colonies along
7220-399: The steamer Charles Edward , on 27 November 1874. Most of the 20 men who were landed had no experience of breaking in new land. They were initially allocated small sections of pakihi – flat boggy land with infertile, waterlogged soil high up on a terrace to the south of the Karamea River. Better land was found on the Karamea River flats below the terrace, but there were delays before this land
7315-429: The tableland, and this led to a gold rush to the area. His brother John grazed sheep in the area in 1875. The special character of flora and fauna in the region was recognised prior to 1920. One particular example is the Gouland Downs, an area with unusual geology and vegetation, situated at around 600 m (2,000 ft) elevation to the west of Mt Perry. The Gouland Downs was one of eleven sanctuaries designated by
7410-484: The time, the National Parks Act 1980 did not permit mountain biking in National Parks, other than on formed roads. Lobbying activities to allow the return of mountain biking on the Heaphy Track continued through until 2011, when a three-year trial began. The trial permitted mountain biking during the winter season from 1 May to 30 September. The mountain bike trial period ended in 2016 and mountain biking became
7505-465: The township during a heavy flood in the river in February 1940. Survey records since 1912 indicate that there have been either single or double openings to the sea from the Ōtūmahana Estuary, and that these openings have migrated over 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) of shoreline since records began. Between 2008 and 2010, the two openings merged at a location giving a direct exit from the Karamea River to
7600-510: The township. In 1899, a large flood swept away a new bridge across the river and caused damage to settlers homes, farms and crops. Another major flood caused serious damage in January 1915, inundating the main street and the majority of houses. The Murchison earthquake on 17 June 1929 led to debris blocking the existing mouth of the Karamea River, and a new outlet to the sea formed from the Ōtūmahana lagoon around 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi) to
7695-416: The track. [REDACTED] Media related to Big Rimu Walk at Wikimedia Commons 41°14′54″S 172°11′34″E / 41.24833°S 172.19278°E / -41.24833; 172.19278 This West Coast Region (New Zealand) geography article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Karamea Karamea is a town on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It
7790-412: The tussock landscape. The remaining areas of the Gouland Downs have shallow and infertile soil where the only plants that thrive are tussocks and rushes. The Cobb region is a montane catchment on argillite , ancient volcanics, and ultramafics . It supports beech and conifer-beech forests, valley floor scrub and tussock-grasslands, and sub-alpine grasslands. The region includes several alpine lakes and
7885-531: The use of Special Settlement Areas as a way of developing remote parts of the province, and attracting immigrants. The conditions to be offered to immigrants included the offer of land on deferred payment terms, and the opportunity of partial employment by the Provincial Government for the first year after the immigrants arrived. The allotments of land would be between forty and two hundred acres to each head of family, and be open to those already in
7980-407: The wilderness area in any direction. Tracks, facilities and the use of vehicles are prohibited, in accordance with its status as a wilderness. The weather in Kahurangi National Park is very changeable, especially at high altitudes. After heavy rainfall many rivers and streams become impassable. In winter, heavy snowfalls may occur at higher altitudes. For the Heaphy Track, in January and February,
8075-426: Was $ 19,900, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 48 people (7.8%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 219 (35.6%) people were employed full-time, 126 (20.5%) were part-time, and 27 (4.4%) were unemployed. In 2020, it was reported that Karamea had a GDP of $ 26.8m, with 199 jobs in 111 businesses. Dairy farming and tourism are the main economic drivers, and
8170-404: Was 16.4, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 65.1% had no religion, 21.8% were Christian , 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs and 1.7% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 54 (8.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 165 (26.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
8265-448: Was allocated. Women and children arrived in January 1875. In October 1875, using labour from the settlers, work began on creating an inland track over the hills between Little Wanganui and Mohikinui to bypass the difficult and dangerous coastal track. The road to Karamea over the hilly section (known as the Karamea bluffs) north of Mokihinui, was not opened until 1916. The Murchison earthquake on 17 June 1929 caused severe damage in
8360-591: Was based largely on the area that had previously been the North West Nelson Forest Park, along with the Tasman Wilderness Area. At the time of approval, the new national park was the 13th national park to be established in New Zealand, and protected 452,000 ha (1,120,000 acres) of land. In his announcement about the establishment of the park, the Minister of Conservation , Denis Marshall said: "It consists of extensive areas of native forest and limestone and marble landscape which has international significance". For
8455-504: Was established at the south-east corner of the estuary in 1983. A life-size bronze statue of the extinct Haast's eagle or hōkioi was erected in Karamea in 2020. The initiative was a joint undertaking of the Karamea Estuary Enhancement Project and local iwi Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō and Ngāti Waewae. The hōkioi represents the spiritual guardian of the estuary. The statue is called Te Maia Kahurangi , and
8550-526: Was established in 1911, to purchase the Curtin's factory. The new company received its first cream for processing on 20 September 1911. Approximately 40 tonnes was produced in the first year. There was no road out of Karamea at the time, so all the production had to be shipped on vessels that were capable of crossing the Karamea bar. In 1935, the Karamea dairy factory was manufacturing 300 tonnes of butter annually. The industry slowly expanded, and milk powder
8645-699: Was highly rated for its biodiversity values, but prior to 2019, it was classified as stewardship land − the lowest level of protection for publicly-owned conservation land. In 2007, Meridian Energy had proposed to build the Mokihinui Hydro project on the river. The project was controversial and in May 2012 it was cancelled. In 2019, 64,400 ha (159,000 acres) of land in the Mōkihinui River catchment, including 15 km (9.3 mi) of river bed, were added to Kahurangi National Park. The addition increased
8740-520: Was manufactured locally from the 1970s. Local processing eventually ceased, and milk is now transported by road tanker to Hokitika . Karamea is 96 kilometres (60 mi) north of Westport on State Highway 67 . The town is situated on a coastal plain adjacent to the mouth of the Karamea River and the Ōtūmahana Estuary in Karamea Bight , a large bay formed by the curve of coastline for 100 kilometres (62 mi) north from Cape Foulwind , to
8835-406: Was on the way. There was insufficient work available to employ all these immigrants, and the province turned again to Special Settlement Areas as a solution. Karamea was chosen as a site for a Special Settlement Area partly because the area was already known from a gold rush 7 years earlier, but also that it had a harbour, and there were steamers passing regularly along the coast. By November 1874,
8930-445: Was reported that there had been a significant increase in the local population, with increasing demand for housing, and an increase in the roll at Karamea Area School. Tourists visit Karamea all year round to enjoy the many scenic attractions in the region, including Kahurangi National Park. Tourism is a fast-growing segment of the local economy, and the region has been said to be "New Zealand's best-kept secret". The southern end of
9025-411: Was unveiled on 22 February 2020. It depicts the ancestor Te Maia who rode an eagle he raised from a chick. It was cast in bronze by Gillie and Marc and is 300 cm high. The Karamea River has a catchment area, including its tributaries, of 1,210 km (470 sq mi), representing around 23% of the entire area of Kahurangi National Park. There is a history of the river causing flooding in
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