Herangi Range#Piritoki Reef
{{Short description|Range of hills in Waikato Region, New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
{{About-distinguish-text|a mountain range in Waikato|Herangi Hill near Cape Maria van Diemen, Northland}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Herangi Range
| photo = North end of the Herangi Range.jpg
| photo_caption = The north end of the Herangi Range viewed from Karioi; Taranaki Point in the near distance
| location = Waikato, New Zealand
| elevation_m = 806
| elevation_ref =
| prominence =
| range =
| coordinates = {{coord|-38.5|174.76|region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
| topo =
| first_ascent =
| easiest_route =
| map = New Zealand
}}
Herangi Range is a range of hills south of Marokopa and north of Awakino, in the Waikato region of New Zealand, reaching to the Tasman Sea at Tapirimoko, Tirua, Taungaururoa, Te Mauku and Ngarupupu Points. Just to the south of Ngarupupu, the Waikawau River enters the sea. Other rivers draining the range are Mangaotaki River, Awakino River and Manganui River. Herangi is part of the Whareorino conservation area.
Herangi is in the Maniapoto rohe.{{Cite web|date=2012|title=2 Matters of Significance to Maori|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/WRC/Council/Policy-and-Plans/Rules-and-regulation/WRP/WRPChapter2.pdf|website=Waikato Regional Council}} Pā and other archaeological sites are found close together along the coast, but very few in the range itself.{{Cite web|title=NZAA Site Viewer|url=https://archsite.eaglegis.co.nz/NZAAPublic|access-date=2022-01-12|website=archsite.eaglegis.co.nz}}{{Cite web|date=1 May 2018|title=Waitomo District Plan Section 21: Heritage Resources|url=https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/media/xswjg5hn/21-heritageresources.pdf}} The Kiritehere valley was settled in the 1900s,{{Cite web|date=20 Nov 1912|title=FRONTIER SETTLEMENT. KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/KCC19121120.2.5|access-date=2022-01-31|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} but much of the rest of the range is in Whareorino Conservation Area, of particular importance for its native frogs.
A Reims Cessna F152 II crashed into a tree on a ridge between Whareorino ({{Convert|649|m||abbr=on}}) and Mangatoa Saddle on 21 July 2009. The pilot, who died, was inexperienced and had not complied with requirements to calculate a route allowing for the poor weather.{{Cite web|date=2 March 2012|title=AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT CAA OCCURRENCE NUMBER 09/2776|url=https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/publications/fatal-accident-reports/ZK-NPI_Fatal.pdf}}
Geography
The main peaks from north to south are Maungamangero {{Convert|806|m||abbr=on}}, Te Heruera {{Convert|756|m||abbr=on}}, Maugatewharau {{Convert|795|m||abbr=on}}, Te Whakapatiki {{Convert|766|m||abbr=on}} and Herangi {{Convert|725|m||abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|title=HERANGI RANGE, Waikato|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz52832/HERANGI-RANGE/|access-date=2021-12-04|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en}}
Mangatoa and Manganui Roads follow a north–south route through the ranges, running from Marokopa, {{Convert|56|km||abbr=on}} south, via Kiritehere, Moeatoa, rising over the {{Convert|311|m||abbr=on}} Mangatoa Saddle, Waikawau and a lower {{Convert|230|m||abbr=on}} saddle to follow the Manganui valley through to Awakino.{{Cite web|title=Awakino to Marokopa|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Awakino/Marokopa/@-38.489528,174.5454488,42252m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x6d14a6dcb52ad38b:0x500ef6143a2b490!2m2!1d174.6474074!2d-38.6651646!1m5!1m1!1s0x6d1345cddc96d08f:0x500ef6143a2e0a0!2m2!1d174.7215299!2d-38.3022086!3e1|access-date=2021-12-05|website=Google maps|language=en}} The road was built about 1935, when the last surfboats plied wool to the Holm & Co vessel,{{Cite web|date=2 Jan 1935|title=WANGANUI CHRONICLE|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19350102.2.119.2|access-date=2022-01-14|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|page=11}} Parera, off the beach at Nukuhakari.{{Cite web|date=14 Mar 1935|title=LAST WOOL SHIPMENT. KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/KCC19350314.2.12|access-date=2021-12-07|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}{{Cite web|date=24 Nov 1924|title=SHIPPING NEWS. NEW ZEALAND TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19241124.2.4|access-date=2021-12-07|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} Prior to that, even travel on horseback was difficult.{{Cite web|date=23 Jul 1898|title=ON HORSEBACK THROUGH THE KING COUNTRY. NEW ZEALAND HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18980723.2.72.6|access-date=2021-12-07|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}
Mt Duthie, {{Convert|372|m||abbr=on}}, gets about {{Convert|2|m||abbr=on}} of rain a year. It and {{Convert|332|m||abbr=on}} Mt Brookes were named after the surveyors who mapped them,{{Cite web|date=2013-05-16|title=Mt Duthie manager single minded|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/8678937/Mt-Duthie-manager-single-minded|access-date=2022-01-17|website=Stuff|language=en}} F Duthie and Edwin Stanley Brookes Jnr.{{Cite web|last=C. A. LAWN|title=THE PIONEER LAND SURVEYORS OF NEW ZEALAND|url=https://www.surveyspatialnz.org/Attachment?Action=Download&Attachment_id=2653}}
= Piritoki Reef =
Piritoki Reef lies about {{Convert|1|km|abbr=on}} north of Tirua Point.{{Cite web|title=Piritoki Reef, Waikato|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz52835/Piritoki-Reef/|access-date=2021-12-04|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en}} Its sharp rocks{{Cite web|date=19 Jun 1907|title=STORY OF THE WRECK. BAY OF PLENTY TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19070619.2.16|access-date=2021-12-04|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} create an area of turbulent sea.{{Cite web|title=-38.375605, 174.633590|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-38.3802307,174.6333759,1429m/data=!3m1!1e3|access-date=2021-12-04|website=Google Maps|language=en}} They rise to about a metre above sea level.{{Cite web|title=Piritoki Reef|url=http://fishing-app.gpsnauticalcharts.com/i-boating-fishing-web-app/fishing-marine-charts-navigation.html?title=Manukau+Harbour+to+Cape+Egmont,NU+boating+app#12.59/-38.3749/174.6287|access-date=2021-12-04|website=fishing-app.gpsnauticalcharts.com}} The Northern Steamship Company's 307 ton{{Cite web|title=Northern Steam Ship Company of Auckland - Vessel details|url=http://www.nzmaritimeindex.org.nz/nssco/nsspage.php?vessel=1102289|access-date=2021-12-04|website=www.nzmaritimeindex.org.nz}} Kia Ora foundered on the reef in fog on 13 June 1907,{{Cite web|date=23 Jul 1907|title=KIA ORA INQUIRY. AUCKLAND STAR|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19070723.2.76|access-date=2021-12-04|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} with the loss of 3 lives.{{Cite web|date=14 Jun 1907|title=The s.s. Kia Ora KAWHIA SETTLER AND RAGLAN ADVERTISER|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/KSRA19070614.2.7|access-date=2021-12-04|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} The Chief Officer was blamed, with a suspicion of being inebriated, but his suspended certificate was returned within a few months.{{Cite web|date=1 Nov 1907|title=Packet Licenses and-the Kia Ora. KAWHIA SETTLER AND RAGLAN ADVERTISER|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/KSRA19071101.2.8|access-date=2021-12-04|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}
= Tirua Point =
Tirua Point has cliffs on the north side of the Point rising to over {{Convert|100|m|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|title=Tirua Point, Waikato|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz52834/Tirua-Point/|access-date=2021-12-04|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en}} In the 1860s it was thought the country was at its {{Convert|198|mi|abbr=on}} widest between Tolaga Bay and Tirua Point.{{Cite web|title=ENZB - 1867 - Stevens and Bartholomew's New Zealand directory for 1866-67 - AUCKLAND PROVINCE, p 277-286|url=http://www.enzb.auckland.ac.nz/document/?wid=4596&page=1&action=null|access-date=2021-12-04|website=www.enzb.auckland.ac.nz}} The 1:50,000 map shows the easting of the northern headland of Ngararahae Bay, just south of Tirua Point as 1742785,{{Cite web|title=Ngararahae Bay, Waikato|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz52827/Ngararahae-Bay/|access-date=2022-01-14|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en}} and Marau Point, on the north side of Kaiaua Bay, on same latitude on the east coast, as 2068929{{Cite web|title=Marau Point, Gisborne|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz3657/Marau-Point/|access-date=2022-01-14|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en}} the difference being just over {{Convert|326|km|abbr=on}}.
Tirua Point is on Nukuhakari Station, where grazing increased the advance of dunes in both Nukuhakari and Ngararahae Bays.{{Cite web|title=Beachcare Magazine Edition 5, 2014|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/PageFiles/898-beachcare/magazines/beachcare-magazine-2014-web.pdf}} Thousands of spinifex, planted in 2015, 2016 and 2017, have reduced sand movement.{{Cite web|date=September 2018|title=West Coast News|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/WRC/Services/regional-services/RCS/West-Coast-September-Newsletter-2018.PDF}}
File:Marokopa_and_Herangi_Range.jpg sandstone cliffs of Maungamangero in the mid distance centre{{Cite journal|last=D. A. B. MacFarlan|date=1998|title=Mesozoic stratigraphy of the Marokopa area, southwest Auckland, New Zealand, New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics|journal=New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics|volume=41|issue=3|pages=297–310|doi=10.1080/00288306.1998.9514812|doi-access=free}}]]
= Geology =
Herangi is part of the roughly north - south Kāwhia Syncline,{{Cite journal|last=MacFarlan|first=D. A. B.|date=1998|title=Mesozoic stratigraphy of the Marokopa area, southwest Auckland, New Zealand|journal=New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics|volume=41|issue=3|pages=297–310|doi=10.1080/00288306.1998.9514812|issn=0028-8306|doi-access=free}} Triassic Newcastle Group form the west side of the range, with sandstones, siltstones and greywacke folded, faulted and covered by Middle Jurassic Rengarenga carbonaceous sandstone and other sedimentary rocks.{{Cite web|last=Edbrooke|first=S. W.|date=2005|title=Geology of the Waikato area 1:250 000 geological map 4|url=http://www.gns.cri.nz/static/qmapdata/newmaps/QWaikato.zip|website=Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences|access-date=2022-01-31|archive-date=2018-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721043747/https://www.gns.cri.nz/static/qmapdata/newmaps/QWaikato.zip|url-status=dead}} The main rivers flow across broad alluvial floodplains, from which the hills of Mesozoic rock rise sharply. Steep homoclinal ridges and hogbacks are prominent, with dip slopes often underlain by more resistant sandstone. The coast has near-vertical cliffs, generally behind an ironsand beach.
= Tracks =
Currently 4 tracks offer alternative routes to Leitch's Hut, which has 16 bunk beds, heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets, untreated tap water and no booking system. Sam Leitch was awarded the area in a World War I soldiers' land ballot. His home was in the clearing where the hut is and his plantings of macrocapa and eleagnus remain. The tracks are classed as Advanced Tramping tracks, in the more difficult 5th level, as defined in DoC's 6 levels of walking track categories.{{Cite web|title=Walking track categories|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/things-to-do/walking-and-tramping/track-categories/|access-date=2022-01-31|website=Department of Conservation|language=en-nz}} The exception is Leitch's Track, which is a level easier, as an Intermediate: Easier tramping track.{{Cite web|title=Leitch's Track|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/waikato/places/whareorino-conservation-area/things-to-do/leitchs-track/|access-date=2021-12-05|website=Department of Conservation|language=en-nz}}
Leitch's Track is over {{Convert|8.5|km|abbr=on}}. It starts at the end of Leitch Road, on a well graded road, then passes farmland and climbs into bush, before descending to Leitch's clearing, with no major streams to cross.
Mahoenui Track follows the Awakino River for {{Convert|12|km|abbr=on}}. It is closed from 1 September to 10 October each year for lambing. It starts at the end of Gribbon Road and crosses the river near the hut, but is not passable after heavy rain.{{Cite web|title=Mahoenui Track|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/waikato/places/whareorino-conservation-area/things-to-do/mahoenui-track/|access-date=2021-12-05|website=Department of Conservation|language=en-nz}}
Mangatoa Track crosses the Herangi Range for {{Convert|8|km|abbr=on}}, starting at the Mangatoa Road saddle and gradually climbing to the Herangi Ridge, before turning right, down to the Waikawau Track junction and Leitch's Hut. It too is not passable after heavy rain.{{Cite web|title=Mangatoa Track|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/waikato/places/whareorino-conservation-area/things-to-do/mangatoa-track/|access-date=2021-12-05|website=Department of Conservation|language=en-nz}}
Waikawau Track is the longest, {{Convert|14|km|abbr=on}}, overgrown and unmarked in places, with windfalls, slips and flooding after heavy rain. It starts on Crawford Road on the north bank of the Waikawau River, near Waikawau, follows the river, then Mangapapa Stream to Waikawau Saddle and then drops to Leitch's Clearing and crosses the Awakino River to the hut.{{Cite web|title=Waikawau Track|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/waikato/places/whareorino-conservation-area/things-to-do/waikawau-track/|access-date=2021-12-05|website=Department of Conservation|language=en-nz}}
Wildlife
The Herangi Range is part of Whareorino Conservation Area. It has a moist climate, with rainfall of 1.6 to 2.50m a year.{{Cite web|last=W. Mary McEwen|date=June 1987|title=Ecological regions and districts of New Zealand|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/science-and-technical/ecoregions2.pdf|website=Department of Conservation}} The ridges are covered by a sub-alpine vegetation of low scrub and kaikawaka along with neinei, pepperwood and divaricating shrubs interspersed with areas of cushion bog. At lower levels kohekohe is abundant on lower slopes facing the sea, but tawa is dominant inland, giving way to tawheowheo scrub at higher levels. Birds include karearea, many forest birds and, in 1987, there were occasional sightings of kaka and kōkako. Hochstetter's frog lives by most of the streams.{{Cite web|title=Whareorino Conservation Area|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/waikato/places/whareorino-conservation-area/|access-date=2021-12-05|website=Department of Conservation|language=en-nz}}{{Cite web|last=W. Mary McEwen|date=June 1987|title=Ecological regions and districts of New Zealand|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/science-and-technical/ecoregions2.pdf|website=Department of Conservation}} Archey's frog is found in moist, medium to high-altitude forest. Herangi and Coromandel Ranges are the only places where natural remnants of these critically endangered frogs live.{{Cite web|title=Waikato Conservation Management Strategy 2014–2024|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/about-doc/role/policies-and-plans/waikato-cms/waikato-cms-volume-one.pdf|website=DoC}} Some tracks have been closed to prevent the spread of chytrid fungus to Archey's frogs.{{Cite web|title=King Country Hiking Trails|url=https://www.kingcountry.co.nz/hiking-trails.html|access-date=2021-12-05|website=www.kingcountry.co.nz}} The Native Forests Restoration Trust's {{Convert|645|ha|abbr=on}} Steuart Russell Reserve has a sizeable North Island brown kiwi population and is the most northerly forest where hard beech dominates.{{Cite web|title=Steuart Russell|url=https://www.nfrt.org.nz/reserves/steuart-russell/|access-date=2022-01-17|website=NATIVE FOREST RESTORATION TRUST|language=en-US}} Uncommon Brachyglottis kirkii, white rātā, climbing rātā, akatea, northern rātā, rōhutu, shrub panax and the orchids, Caladenia bartlettii and Corybas rivularis, were recorded on Maungamangero in 1983.{{Cite web|title=Herangi Ra, Mt Maungamangero (HERA)|url=https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/publications/plant-lists/plant-lists-by-region/herangi-ra-mt-maungamangero-hera/|access-date=2022-01-17|website=New Zealand Plant Conservation Network|language=en}}
Pests
Marokopa was one of many areas around the country where acclimatisation societies introduced possums in the 1920s.{{Cite web|last=L. T. Pracy|first=A. L. Poole, Director-General of Forests|date=1962|title=INTRODUCTION AND LIBERATION OF THE OPOSSUM|url=https://scion.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p20044coll6/id/625/|access-date=2022-01-12|website=scion.contentdm.oclc.org}} DoC and Regional Council have a programme to control goats and possums in Herangi.{{Cite web|title=Waikato Regional Pest Management Plan Annual report 2016/17|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/WRC/Council/Policy-and-Plans/RPMP/Waikato-Regional-Pest-Management-Plan-Annual-Report-20162f17-.pdf}}
References
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External links
- [https://www.flickr.com/photos/79452638@N00/12608525034 Photo of Moeatoa in 2014]