Maungataniwha Range
Encyclopedia
The Maungataniwha Range is a volcanic mountain range located halfway between Kaitaia
and Okaihau
in Northland of New Zealand
. The Mangamukas, as it is known by the local residents and many Northlanders because of the name of the settlement and river
on the southern side, separates Kaitaia and the Aupouri Peninsula
from the rest of Northland. The highest point in the Maungataniwha Ranges is Raeta at 751m. The range is home to many kauri trees and part of the range is a part of Northland Forest Park.
State Highway 1
crosses the range and passes through the Mangamuka Gorge. With a summit of 383m, the road is known to be one of the most winding, twisty and hilly section of the entire length of highway in New Zealand. It was built in the 1920s and was sealed in 1961, making it the preferred route from Whangarei
to Kaitaia.
In the early 1900s, a railway was proposed to either run through the ranges or run round them to connect Kaitaia and the Far North with the North Auckland Line or the Okaihau Branch
line of the national rail network
. After much debate, the idea never went ahead and in 1936 the decision was made not to extend the Okaihau Branch to Kaitaia and the extension from Okaihau to Rangiahua
was closed.
Kaitaia
Kaitaia is a town in the far north region of New Zealand, at the base of the Aupouri Peninsula which is about 160 km northwest of Whangarei. It is the last major settlement on the main road north to the capes and bays on the peninsula...
and Okaihau
Okaihau
Okaihau is a small town in the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island, just north of Kaikohe. State Highway 1 passes through the town. The 2006 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings recorded Okaihau's population as 717, an increase of 30 people since the 2001 census.- Transport...
in Northland of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The Mangamukas, as it is known by the local residents and many Northlanders because of the name of the settlement and river
Mangamuka River
The Mangamuka River is a river of the far north of the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows generally south from the Maungataniwha Range southeast of Kaitaia, and the last few kilometres of its length are a wide, silty arm of the Hokianga Harbour, which it reaches 10 kilometres...
on the southern side, separates Kaitaia and the Aupouri Peninsula
Aupouri Peninsula
The Aupouri Peninsula is a tombolo at the northern tip of the North Island of New Zealand. It projects between the Tasman Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east...
from the rest of Northland. The highest point in the Maungataniwha Ranges is Raeta at 751m. The range is home to many kauri trees and part of the range is a part of Northland Forest Park.
State Highway 1
State Highway 1 (New Zealand)
State Highway 1 is the longest and most significant road in the New Zealand roading network, running the length of both main islands. It appears on road maps as SH 1 and on road signs as a white number 1 on a red shield, but it has the official designations SH 1N in the North Island, SH 1S in the...
crosses the range and passes through the Mangamuka Gorge. With a summit of 383m, the road is known to be one of the most winding, twisty and hilly section of the entire length of highway in New Zealand. It was built in the 1920s and was sealed in 1961, making it the preferred route from Whangarei
Whangarei
Whangarei, pronounced , is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. Although commonly classified as a city, it is officially part of the Whangarei District, administered by the Whangarei District Council a local body created in 1989 to administer both the...
to Kaitaia.
In the early 1900s, a railway was proposed to either run through the ranges or run round them to connect Kaitaia and the Far North with the North Auckland Line or the Okaihau Branch
Okaihau Branch
The Okaihau Branch, sometimes known as the Kaikohe Branch and rarely the Rangiahua Branch, was a branch line railway that joined the North Auckland Line of the national rail network of New Zealand at Otiria. It was the most northerly line in New Zealand and was intended to run all the way to Kaitaia...
line of the national rail network
Rail transport in New Zealand
Rail transport in New Zealand consists of a network of gauge railway lines in both the North and South Islands. Rail services are focused primarily on freight, particularly bulk freight, with limited passenger services on some lines...
. After much debate, the idea never went ahead and in 1936 the decision was made not to extend the Okaihau Branch to Kaitaia and the extension from Okaihau to Rangiahua
Rangiahua
Rangiahua is a small locality near the Hokianga Harbour in the Northland Region of New Zealand. State Highway 1 passes through it. Umawera is to the west, and Okaihau to the east.Rangiahua nearly became New Zealand's most northern railway terminus...
was closed.