Image: David Finn | ©
Aerial view of a hill that has been shaped into a triangle on the top. This is where a pā use to be.
Tauwhare Pā short walk

Located in Whakatāne area in the Bay of Plenty region

This short walk provides panoramic views of Ohiwa Harbour, right down to the East coast. Hikurangi maunga can be seen with snow on at times. It also showcases Moutohorā and Whakaari offshore islands slightly west.

This short walk takes you through Tauwhare Pā. There is a high point on the walk that overlooks many points of interest.

The walk includes views of:

  • Ohiwa Harbour
  • the East Coast
  • Hikurangi maunga
  • Moutohorā island
  • Whakaari (White Island)
  • Ohakana Island – the island within the harbour
  • a Ruakumara(Kumara pit)
  • remnants of traditional pā fortifications such as the trenches, palisades, and pā.

There are picnic tables in carpark.

This short walk is inside Tauwhare Pā Scenic Reserve. You can get to the start of the walk from Wainui Road, Ōhope. The parking for the pā site is located on Wainui Road.

Tauwhare Pā Scenic Reserve contains a good example of pohutukawa forest which grades into estuarine vegetation.

Common forest-dwelling bird species in the reserve include the:

  • grey warbler
  • silvereye
  • New Zealand kingfisher
  • tūī, and
  • kererū.

Native lizards are likely to be present.

Tauwhare Pā is a significant site for the local Whakatāne iwi, Ngāti Awa. The name Tauwhare implies 'the village suspended in space'.