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Purakaunui

Te Wera, the Chief of the Kai Tahu, had a pā at Huriawa. After an unsuccessful siege of Huriawa by his feuding uncle, Taoka, from Pukekura (Taiaroa Head), an ally of Te Wera's, Te Pakihaukea, shifted to Purakanui and relocated Mapoutahi Pā

Pūrākaunui, like much of North East Otago is rich in Māori history. The meandering Pūrākaunui Road heads downward towards stunning and at times isolated beaches, bound by natural beauty. Wildlife is at times in abundance and it is not uncommon to be sharing the beach with territorial sea lions.


Long, white & sandy stretches of beach lead northward towards Mapoutahi Pā with its commanding stance breaking the route further north towards Doctor's Point.


Pūrākaunui is accessed by road either via Port Chalmers or Blueskin Bay and by foot via Doctor's Point, tide dependent.


The roads leading to this beautiful location are an attraction equal to the destination, with views of either Blueskin Bay north or Port Chalmers, Careys Bay & Aramoana, below & eastward. 

Location

 History

Te Wera, the Chief of the Kai Tahu, had a pā at Huriawa. 

After an unsuccessful siege of Huriawa by his feuding uncle, Taoka, from Pukekura (Taiaroa Head), an ally of Te Wera's, Te Pakihaukea, shifted to Purakanui and relocated Mapoutahi Pā.

Destinations

A walk to the dramatic Mapoutahi Pā site is a must, located upon a rocky outcrop high above the sea and wide open to the elements.  On a wind swept day the walk to the edge is exhilarating and breathtaking beyond imagination.


The wider Pūrākaunui area includes unmissable destinations including the picturesque Pūrākaunui inlet & beach, Long Beach, the quaint settlement of Osborne, Whakeareare Beach or Murdering Beach (famed for its world class surf break), Canoe Beach & 'Wuthering Heights-esqe' Heyward Point.


North beyond Mapoutahi access to Doctors Point is possible when coordinated with the tides.


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