Tararua History Remutaka Place Name Origins

The origin of the names of various topographical features, tracks, huts and other sites of the Remutaka Ranges, excluding road and street names.

Remutaka means edge of his cape touching the ground on that spot. Remu means edge. Taka means ground. Also a noted Māori iwi ancestor Haunui–a–Nanaia of the Kurahaupō people was resting or sitting on the pass while looking over Wairarapa when he first saw these ranges. Remu means buttocks. Taka means rest. It was named as part of his journey of discovery across the southern North Island. In 2017 the name changed from Rimutaka to Remutaka.

The Remutaka Ranges extends approximately 47 kilometres from SH2 in the north to Turakirae Head in the south.

The scope of the area it covers is from the SH2 road southwards where it crosses the Range.

• on the East (Wellington) side, it is from the SH2 road to Whitemans Valley.
• on the West (Wairarapa) side, it is from the SH2 road to Turakirae Head.

It excludes the following areas:

• Farm names that are located between the Western Lake Road and Remutaka Forest Park.
• Local names of various features between Corner Creek and Turakirae Head.
• Rock names in the Turakirae Head area.

Other documents that relate to the area are:

• for Ōrongorongo place name origins see Ōrongorongo Place Name Origins.
• for Wainuiomata place name origins see the Wainuiomata Place Name Origins.

See also the Wikipedia page on the Remutaka Forest Park.

For more history about the Māori naming and their association with the Remutaka Ranges see:

• A Guide to Rimutaka Forest Park by Bill Sewell.
• Built Heritage Of The Orongorongo Valley by Chris Cochran, Chris Maclean, Allan Sheppard.
• The History of the Orongorongo Valley and Environs by Joanna Lane–Taylor.
• Tararua – The Story of a Mountain Range by Chris Maclean.

The huts that are mentioned in the document are / were located from Corner Creek to Turakirae Head area. Also the huts administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC).
Many huts have had alterations / changes / been rebuilt over the years.
The Map sources are from various topographical maps as stated in the Bibliography.
See the Bibliography for further sources of information.

Abbots Creek Water
William Abbott (1784 – 1877) was a 19^th century settler in the Featherston area. The creek becomes Otauira Creek when it reaches Featherston.

Source – Map. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1880s.

Back Road Road / Track
A secondary road that does not have much traffic. The track starts from near The Summit rail settlement and goes to the Ladle Bend Bridge on the Remutaka Rail Track.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1950s.

Barneys Stream Water
Barneys Whare Hut
Frank Barnes (1859 – 1941) was a sailor and later became a shepherd at the Ōrongorongo / Riddifords Station from about 1895. He was also an artist. He lived in the hut from 1895 to 1936. The private hut is owned by the Ōrongorongo Station. The hut is located just north of Turakirae Head on the Wairarapa side.

Source – Map. Information – The History Of The Orongorongo Valley And Environs by Joanna Lane–Taylor. Time Frame – 1900s.

Battery Pond Water
Battery Stream Water
Battery Stream Bivouac Hut
Where battery were used to power electricity.

Battery Stream Bivouac was in existence from the 1960s to 2009. It was a DOC Hut. The hut was located north of where the Papatahi Crossing crosses Battery Stream.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1840s.

Bawbaw, Mt High Point
Echo. It is from the area located on the boundaries between the Central Highland and Gippsland regions of the state of Victoria in the country of Australia. In the Aboriginal Woiwurrung language the name for the mountain is variously bo–ye, meaning ghost; or bo–bo, meaning bandicoot. In the Aboriginal Bunurong language, the mountain is named Bore Bore meaning echo. In the Aboriginal Gunai language, the mountain is called Bo Bo meaning echo. Topographical maps prior to the 1950s show this as named BauBau.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Search. Time Frame – 1882.

Black Whare, Mukamuka Hut
The hut was built of malthoid sheeting over a wire netting frame which was the colour black. The hut was in existence from the 1920s to the 1960s. It was a private hut owned by Eglinton / Wharekauhau Station but visitors were allowed to use it. It was located on the left bank of the Mukamuka and Hinakatika Streams.

Source – The History Of The Orongorongo Valley And Environs by Joanna Lane–Taylor. Information – The History Of The Orongorongo Valley And Environs by Joanna Lane–Taylor. Time Frame – 1900s.

Blaikie Stream Water
Cyril Hugh Blaikie (1920 – 1991) was a poultry farmer along Plateau Road, The Plateau, Te Mārua in the 1960s.

Source – Map. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1880s.

Bocketts Stream Water
Charles Frederick Bockett (1857 – 1913) was a 19^th century settler in the South Wairarapa area. It was also known as Brocketts Creek / Stream, which is a alternative spelling of Bocketts.

Source – Map. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1870s.

Boundary Creek Water
Geographic term in that it is marking the separating of an area. In this situation it is a water source.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1880s.

Boundary Hut Water
Geographic term in that it is marking the separating of an area. It is also known as the A-Frame which means that the hut is shaped like capital letter A. The hut was in existence from the 1900s to about 2010. It was a private hut. It was located between the Ōrongorongo and Eglinton / Wharekauhau Stations near Windy Point.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1900s.

Breakwind Stream Water
A windbreak design to stop severe wind gusts. On the 19 January 1888 a train was overturned at Pigeon Bush due to strong winds. As a result, windbreak fences and rows of willow trees were erected along the length of line that is most prone to the wind in the area.

Source – Bridge Name. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1880s.

Burling, Mt High Point
Burlings Stream Water
Henry Burling (1801 – 1911) was a 19^th century settler in the Featherston area.

Source – Map. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1840s.

Centre Ridge Track Road / Track
Geographical term in that it is the middle of a nearby series of ridges. The track starts from near the intersection of Pig Gully Track and Back Road and goes to near Ladle Bend Bridge on the Remutaka Rail Track.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1950s.

Climie Creek Water
Climie, Mt High Point
Climie Track, Mt Track
James Daniel Climie (1850 – 1928) was a surveyor in Wellington. There is a transmitter station located at Mt Climie. The power source for the transmitter comes from Tunnel Gully.

The Mt Climie Track starts at Tunnel Gully and goes to Mt Climie.

Source – Map. Information – Built Heritage Of The Orongorongo Valley by Chris Cochran, Chris Maclean, Allan Sheppard. Time Frame – 1882.

Colletts Stream Water
Thomas George Collett (1843 – 1930) was a 19^th century settler in the Mangaroa Valley area. He was a farmer of section 165.

Source – Map. Information – Upper Hutt Street A–Z Master Themes by Lynly Yates. Time Frame – 1870s.

Collies Track Track
John Middleton Collie (1834 – 1893) was part of Collie, Scott, and Wilkinson contractors who won the Summit Contract. It was of short length, but was perhaps the most difficult as it included the 576 metre Summit Tunnel. The contract terminated a short distance downhill of the tunnel. It is also known as Kellys Track, which is an alternative spelling of Collies Track. The track starts from about halfway down the Remutaka Hill Road on the Wellington side and goes to Ladle Bend Bridge on the Remutaka Rail Track.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Search. Time Frame – 1870s.

Collins Stream Water
James Collins (1806 – 1861) was a 19^th century settler in the Te Mārua area. To a lesser extent it is also known as Tunnel Stream, which is named after the Mangaroa and Remutaka railway tunnels that are in the area.

Source – Map. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1840s.

Cooley Stream Water
James Edmund Cooley (1843 – 1911) was a 19^th century settler in the Mangaroa Valley area.

Source – Map. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1870s.

Cone, The High Point
A fruit of a conifer, typically tapering to a rounded end and formed of a tight array of overlapping scales on a central axis which separate to release the seeds. It is located near the head of the Wharepapa River.

Source – Tararua Story – Tararua Tramping Club by B. D. A. Greig. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1880s.

Corner Creek Water
Corner Creek Campsite Campsite
Geographical term in that two sides or edges meet. The campsite was officially established in the 1980s though people were camping in the area for many years beforehand. It is located at 44 Ocean Beach Road. This road is also known as the Western Bay Road. Corner Creek was also known as Oruamotoro / Oruamatoro Creek.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1900s.

Cross Creek Settlement / Water
Lot Cross (1837 – 1891) was a 19^th century farmer in the vicinity of the Cross Creek Railway settlement. He was farming in the area before it was decided that the railway was going to go through. There is also a stream named after him. The track to Cross Creek starts from the end of Cross Creek Road and goes to the former railway settlement.

Source – Map. Information – A Guide To The Rimutaka Rail Trail by Graeme Jupp. Time Frame – 1870s.

Cross River Water
Geographical term in that the stream intersects with a river. It is now known as Papatahi Stream.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1940s.

Deraa, Mt High Point
A fortress. Named after the Syrian city of the same name.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Search. Time Frame – 1882.

Didet, Mt High Point
A Latin word meaning spread out, disseminate.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1882.

Dog Hill High Point
A domesticated carnivorous mammal that typically has a long snout, an acute sense of smell, non-retractable claws, and a barking, howling, or whining voice.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1880s.

Drakes Elbow Geographic Feature
James Charles Drake (1821 – 1865) was a surveyor. He was part of a surveying team to build a road over the Remutaka Ranges in the 1850s. It is now known as Hairpin Bend.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Search. Time Frame – 1850s.

Echo Gully Geographic Feature
A deep valley where a sound is repeated or reverberated after the original sound has stopped.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Search. Time Frame – 188s.

Eglinton Whare, Mukamuka Hut
Henry Eglinton (1838 – 1904) was a 19^th century settler at Wharekauhau, Wairarapa. The hut was in existence from the 1900s to 1920s. It was a private hut owned by the Eglinton / Wharekauhau Station but visitors were allowed to use it. It was located north of Mukamuka Stream along the Pack Track that ran from Turakirae Head to the Southern Wairarapa.

Source – The History Of The Orongorongo Valley And Environs by Joanna Lane–Taylor. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1880s.

Fern Creek Water
Fern Hill High Point
The area has many ferns, which are feathery or leafy fronds.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1882.

Fifty–Eight Stream Water
The origin of the name is not known. However a possibility is that it is a corruption of ‘158’. Section 158 is one of the designated land blocks in the Whitemans Valley area. Another possibility is that someone from the British Army 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment of Foot settled in the area. It was called 58 Stream.

Source – Map. Information – Upper Hutt Information Centre. Time Frame – 1882.

Fishermans Rock Headland
The rock where fisherman noted that was used to mark an area that the entrance to Wellington Harbour was near.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Search. Time Frame – 1840s.

Goat Rock High Point
The goat is a surefit animal so it is steep and suitable for them.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1900s.

Gooden / Goodin, Mt High Point
Jacob Henry Gooding (1838 – 1900) was a 19th century settler along the Western Lake Road area, south of Featherston. He married Sarah Ann Burling (1843 – 1916), who was a daughter of Henry Burling (1801 – 1911) who was a 19th century settler in the Featherston area, that Mt Burling is named after.

Source – Map. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1880s.

Govt Gully Water
A shortened version of 'government', a system or group of people governing an organised community, often a state. In its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1882.

Gravel Gully Water
A loose aggregation of small water–worn or pounded stones.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1882.

Hairpin Bend Geographic Feature
A bend in a road with a very acute inner angle, making it necessary for an oncoming vehicle to turn about 180 degrees to continue on the road. It was known as Drakes Elbow.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Search. Time Frame – 1940s.

High Maunganui High Point
A large mountain that catched the sun in the morning. Maunga means mountain. Nui means large, big. It was also known as High Monganui, which is a alternative spelling of Maunganui.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Place Names Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

High Misty, Mt High Point
A cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface that limits visibility. It is also known as Mt Misty.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Hinakitaka Stream Water
A place that is good for setting eel traps. Hinaki means eel trap. Taka means place. The area is Māori land and is associated with the Wellington Tenths Trust in particular with the Ngāti Tama tribal group, and Pipitea Pa.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Hinau Flats Geographic Feature
A tall native tree with long leaves, whitish underneath and producing masses of white flowers and edible berries, the pounded kernels of which form a meal from which hinau bread is baked, while the bark is used for dye for the initial stage of producing the black of muka.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Hiwawa Stream Water
To babble. There was also a Maori settlement located here.

Source – Map, William Colenso – His Life And Journeys by A. G. Bagnall and G. C. Petersen. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Horseshoe Gully Geographic Feature
It is shaped like a shoe for a horse formed of a narrow band of iron in the form of an extended circular arc. It is also known as Siberia Corner / Curve.

Source – Map, A Guide To The Rimutaka Rail Trail by Graeme Jupp. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1870s.

Howe Truss Bridge Creek Water
It consists of chords, verticals, and diagonals whose vertical members are in tension and whose diagonal members are in compression. It is shaped like a shoe for a horse formed of a narrow band of iron in the form of an extended circular arc.

Source – Map, A Guide To The Rimutaka Rail Trail by Graeme Jupp. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1870s.

Huia Stream Water
A native bird with beautiful black and white tail feathers used by the Māori people for decoration. It was where the last remnants of the species was before it became extinct.

Source – Map. Information – Wikipedia. Time Frame – 1880s.

Johnsons Stream Water
James Johnson (1819 – 1901) was a 19th century settler in the Whitemans Valley area. He was a farmer at Section 54 of Whitemans Valley.

Source – Map. Information – Upper Hutt Street A–Z Master Themes by Lynly Yates. Time Frame – 1860s.

Kaitoke Stream Water
A meal of earthworms. Kai means eat or food. Toke means worms. On occasions only worms could be found in the poor soils in the area.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Karaka Rocks Geographic Feature
A native tree with glossy leaves and orange berries. It is also a place where Māori people would rest when going around this coastline.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Kaumātua Ridge Ridge
A respected elderly person. The Kaumātua Tramping Club who pioneered the route, cut and marked the track along the ridge. Name is used locally by all of the local Wellington tramping clubs, Forest and Bird branches and Search and Rescue organisations.

Source – Map. Information – Kaumātua Tramping Club 60th Anniversary July 2020 by Rob McColl (Editor). Time Frame – 1989.

Kotumu, Mt High Point
Kotumu Stream Water
A stump.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Ladle Bend Creek Water
A Ladle is a large long handled spoon with a cup shaped bowl, used for serving soup or sauce. Bend means that it curves which it does just before it reaches the Pākuratahi River.

Source – Map, A Guide To The Rimutaka Rail Trail by Graeme Jupp. Information – Internet Search. Time Frame – 1870s.

Lucena Stream Water
William Lancaster Lucena (1839 – 1902) was a 19^th century settler in the Featherston area. It is now known as Owhanga Stream.

Source – Map. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1880s.

Mahers Stream Water
James Joseph Maher (1888 – 1964) was a 20th century farmer in the Mangaroa Valley area. He was also a National party Member of Parliament representing the Otaki electorate from 1945 to 1960.

Source – Map. Information – Upper Hutt Street A–Z Master Themes by Lynly Yates and Wikipedia. Time Frame – 1920s.

Manganui Stream Water
A great stream. Manga means stream. Nui means great. It was also known as Monganui Stream, which is a alternative spelling of Maunganui.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Place Names Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Mangaroa River Water
Mangaroa Tunnel Tunnel
A long stream. Manga means river or stream. Roa means long. Mangaroa has also been spelt as Mungaroa and Maungaroa. The length of the tunnel is 253 metres and was built between 1876 and 1877.

Source – Map. Information – Upper Hutt Street A–Z Master Themes by Lynly Yates. Time Frame – 1800s.

Mānuka Hill Vegetation
A flowering native tree that has aromatic, prickly leaves and many small, white, pink or red flowers. There were lots of mānuka in the area.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1860s.

Matarua Stream Water
A reddish water, from the iron oxide in the local swamp.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Place Names Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Matthews, Mt High Point
Charles Matthews (1811 – 1892) was a 19^th century settler first at Wharepapa and later at Wairongomai in the Wairarapa. It was named after the first person to reach the summit between two residents of the Lower Wairarapa Valley. It is the highest point in the Remutaka Range at 940 metres.

It was originally called Mount Francis. This is named after Francis Beaufort (1774 – 1857) who was a hydrographer of the Royal Navy in England. He also came up with empirical measurement that relates wind speed to observed conditions at sea or on land. John Lort Stokes (1811 – 1885) served under Robert Fitzroy (1805 – 1865) of the ship Beagle, who was trained by Francis Beaufort. John Lort Stokes was later captain of the ship Acheron which surveyed New Zealand between 1848 and 1852. These voyages produced a number of hydrography surveys of New Zealand. The Māori name for this is unknown.

Source - Map. Information – Internet Search. Time Frame – 1850s.

Maunganui, Mt High Point
A large mountain that caught the sun in the morning. Maunga means mountain. Nui means large, big. It was also known as Mt Monganui, which is a alternative spelling of Maunganui.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Place Names Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Maungaroa Ridge
A long mountain. Maunga means mountain. Roa means long. It is an early Maori name for the area. Maungaroa has also been spelt as Mungaroa and Mangaroa.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Place Names Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Miro Creek Water
Miro Creek Road / Track Road / Track
An evergreen coniferous native tree that has curved leaves arranged in two rows. It grows up to 25 metres high, with a trunk up to 1.3 metres diameter. Miro Creek Road / Track starts along the Back Road and goes up Miro Creek.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Misty Hill High Point
A cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface that limits visibility.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1880s.

Mukamuka Point Headland
Mukamuka Stream Water
A lot of inner flax fibres. Muka means flax fibre. It is a native plant where tassel made from muka formed around a smaller knot. It is also known as the Mukas, Mukes, Muks and Mooks which are a shortened version of Mukamuka. Also Big and Little Mukamuka and the various variations of the place name. To a lesser extent it is also known as Moukamouka which is a alternative spelling of Mukamuka.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Mukamuka-iti Stream Water
A lot of small inner flax fibres. Muka means flax fibre. Iti means small. It is a native plant where tassel made from muka formed around a smaller knot. It is also known as Little Mukamuka Stream.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Mukamuka–nui Settlement
A lot of large inner flax fibres. Muka means flax fibre. Nui means large. It is a native plant where tassel made from muka formed around a smaller knot. A Māori settlement was located here.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Muldoons Corner Geographic Feature
Robert David Muldoon (1921 – 1992) was the National party Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984. It was named because of a knobbly bit on the overlooking cliff–face that came right down on the Wellington side of the Remutaka Hill Road. It looked just like Muldoon's grin. It was eased in 2012 by removing several tight curves, which improved visibility and provided barriers along the valley side of the road.

Source – Newspaper article^{[[http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/5199202/Muldoons-Corner-a-danger-no-more(approve sites)|#]}. Information – Wikipedia. Time Frame – 1970s.

Munitions Bend Geographic Feature
Munitions is named after a storage area was established during World War 1 (1914 – 1918) for military equipment. Bend is named after that is located on a curve on the Remutaka Rail Track. This location was chosen as it was isolated and accessible only by official persons.

Source – Map, A Guide To The Rimutaka Rail Trail by Graeme Jupp. Information – A Guide To The Rimutaka Rail Trail by Graeme Jupp. Time Frame – 1914.

Narrow Neck Stream Water
Geographical term in that the stream is narrow or small.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1882.

Nicholl, Mt High Point
William Nicols (1815 – 1890) was a 19^th century farmer in the Featherston area. Nicholl is a misspelling of Nicols.

Source – Map. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1880s.

Oruamatoro / Oruamotoro Creek Water
Of the place acquired by stealth. O means of. Rua means place. Matoro means stealth. It is now known as Corner Creek.

Source – Map, William Colenso – His Life And Journeys by A. G. Bagnall and G. C. Petersen, Information – Valley And Bays – Origins Of Street Names In Lower Hutt, Including Eastbourne, Petone And Wainuiomata by Alison Carey. Time Frame – 1800s.

Oreore Stream Water
To shake, quiver or move. It is also known as Oriori Stream.

Source – Map. Information – The Great Harbour Of Tara by G. Leslie Adkin. Time Frame – 1800s.

Ōrongorongo, Mt High Point
It is a shortened version of Te Wai o Rongorongo. The waters of Rongorongo. Te means the. Wai means water. O means of. Rongorongo was the wife of Turi Kaihautu of the canoe Aotea. Also a sister of Rongokako of the Māori Tākitimu people of the Hawkes Bay area. Rongorongo is a female name. Also Orongo was an ancient deity of Hawaii. Rongo is the Māori god of agriculture, and father of the kumara. See Ōrongorongo Place Name Origins.

Source – Map. Information – Built Heritage Of The Orongorongo Valley by Chris Cochran, Chris Maclean, Allan Sheppard. Time Frame – 1800s.

Ōtaiura Stream Water
Where water rushes. John Alexander Wilson (1838 – 1909) recorded a tradition that a Māori tribe, known as Te Tauira, formerly lived at Te Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, that they were expelled from that district by Rakai–pāka and fled southward to Wairarapa. The tradition states that Ōtauira, a stream near Featherston, was named after them. Prior to the stream entering Featherston, it is known as Abbots Creek.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Place Names Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Owhanga Stream Water
A nest. It was also known as Lucena Stream.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Pack Track Track
A path that was suitable for animals that was from Southern Wairarapa to the road end at the Coast Road, Wainuiomata. Its origins is that it was also a Māori Track. It is now known as the Wild Coast Track. It is a private road of which one of the owners is the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1840s.

Pākuratahi Forest Park / Reserve
Pākuratahi, Mt High Point
Pākuratahi River Water
Pākuratahi Tunnel Tunnel
A first swamp hen. Pākura means swamp hen which is also known as the native bird pūkeko. Tahi means first. The Greater Wellington Regional Council owns the forest and the area covered is about 8,000 hectares and is a future water collection area. The length of the tunnel is 73 metres and it was built in 1876.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Place Names Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Palliser Bay Water
Hugh Palliser (1723 – 1796) was a Royal Navy officer in England and a patron and friend of the explorer James Cook (1728 – 1779). It is also known as Kawakawa Bay, which is named after a native shrub of the pepper family with aromatic leaves, cultivated as an ornamental. It was visited by the Māori explorer Kupe and that one of his daughters fashioned a garland or chaplet from the leaves of the kawakawa.

Source – Map. Information – Wikipedia. Time Frame – 1770s.

Papatahi Crossing Track Track
Papatahi, Mt High Point
Papatahi Stream Water
A flat area. Papa means flat. Tahi means area. Papatahi Stream was also known as Cross River. Papatahi Crossing Track starts from about 3184 Western Lake Road, Wairarapa and goes to the mouth of the North Boulder Creek and Boulder Creek that feeds into the Ōrongorongo River.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Peak, The High Point
Geographical term in that it is a pointed top. It was previously known as The Hump, which is a small hill or raised area.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1882.

Pig Gully Track Road / Track
A omnivorous domesticated hoofed mammal. The track starts from near the Summit Railway Settlement and goes to the Remutaka Rail Track.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 2000s.

Pigeon Bush Reserve Reserve / Park
A native pigeon that has mainly greenish metallic plumage with white underparts and a purplish crimson bill and feet. The Native Forest Restoration Trust organisation owns the reserve and the area covered is about 1,175 hectares.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 2000s.

Plateau, Mt High Point
Geographical term in that it is a level high ground that overlooks the surrounding area.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1882.

Point, The High Point
Geographical term in that it is a top part of the range and that it sticks out. It is located between Mt Topokopoko and The Peak.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1882.

Pounui, Lake Water
Pounui Stream Water
South wind. But pou means post. Nui means large.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Portal High Point
A entrance to a tunnel.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1950s.

Prices Tunnel Tunnel
Thomas Price (1838 – 1906) was the manager on the Remutaka Incline Contract between the Summit tunnel and Featherston in the mid–late 1870s, working for the contractor of that section, Charles McKirdy (1839 – 1914). He later operated timber tramways in the Akatarawas. The length of the tunnel is 98 metres and was built in 1876.

Source – Map, A Guide To The Rimutaka Rail Trail by Graeme Jupp. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1870s.

Prince Stream Water
Prince of Wales (1841 – 1910) who was born Albert Edward, was the son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in England. He later became King Edward VII.

Source – Map. Information – Wikipedia. Time Frame – 1880s.

Railway, Mt High Point
A track made of steel that trains run along. Named after the Upper Hutt to Featherston railway that use to run in the area before the Remutaka Railway Tunnel was built in the 1950s.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Search. Time Frame – 1880s.

Red Hut, Mukamuka Hut
The hut was built of corrugated iron painted with the red roof paint used frequently at the time because it was known for its durability. The hut was in existence from the 1920s to the 1960s and used by the musterers of Eglinton / Wharekauhau Station. It was a private hut owned by the Eglinton / Wharekauhau Station but visitors were allowed to use it. It was located on the left bank of the Mukamuka Stream fairly near the shoreline but inland.

Source – The History Of The Orongorongo Valley And Environs by Joanna Lane–Taylor. Information – The History Of The Orongorongo Valley And Environs by Joanna Lane–Taylor. Time Frame – 1920s.

Redington Stream Water
Roger Redington (1931 – 2017) owned land in the Mangaroa Valley area. He was also a builder and worked for Odlins Timber Company.

Source – Map. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1960s.

Remutaka Forest Park Reserve / Park
See the Remutaka definition. The Department of Conservation (DOC) owns the park and the area covered is approximately 22,000 hectares or 220 square kilometres. It is located along the Remutaka Ranges between Wellington and the Wairarapa plains. It was established in 1972 and has expanded since.

Source – Map. Information – Wikipedia. Time Frame – 1800s.

Remutaka Incline / Rail Track Road / Track
See the Remutaka definition. It is where the railway line crossed the Remutaka Ranges before the tunnel was completed in 1955. It is now a public walkway. The track starts from Cross Creek, Wairarapa and goes to Kaitoke, Upper Hutt.

Source – Map. Information – Wikipedia. Time Frame – 1950s.

Remutaka, Mt High Point
Remutaka Pass Geographic Point
Remutaka Railway Tunnel Tunnel
Remutaka Range Ridge
Remutaka Stream Water
Edge of his cape touching the ground on that spot. Remu means edge. Taka means ground. Also a noted Māori iwi ancestor Haunui–a–Nanaia of the Kurahaupō people was resting or sitting on the pass, while looking over Wairarapa when he first saw these ranges. Remu means buttocks. Taka means rest. It was named as part of his journey of discovery across the southern North Island. In 2017 the name changed from Rimutaka to Remutaka.

The length of the tunnel is 8.798 kilometres and was built between 1951 and 1955.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Place Names Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Rimutaka Range Ridge
It is a misspelling of the word Remutaka.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Place Names Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Rochforts Pass Geographic Feature
John Rochfort (1832 – 1893) was a surveyor and engineer. It was him that identified a lower pass than the road so that the railway could cross the Remutaka Ranges. This is where the Summit Tunnel is.

Source – Map, A Guide To The Rimutaka Rail Trail by Graeme Jupp. Information – A Guide To The Rimutaka Rail Trail by Graeme Jupp. Time Frame – 1870s.

Siberia Corner / Curve Geographic Feature
Siberia Stream Water
Siberia Tunnel Tunnel
A cold, inhospitable place known for its wind. A windbreak was built here after a locomotive was blown over in strong winds on the 11 September 1880. It is also known as Horseshoe Gully. The length of the tunnel is 108 metres and was built between 1875 and 1876.

Source – Map, A Guide To The Rimutaka Rail Trail by Graeme Jupp. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1870s.

Sinclairs Creek Water
Alexander Sinclair (1819 – 1886) was a 19^th century settler in the Whitemans Valley area.

Source – Map. Information – Upper Hutt Street A–Z Master Themes by Lynly Yates. Time Frame – 1870s.

Slip, Mt High Point
A movement of geological features present on either side of a fault plane. It was here that difference between two fault lines are easily seen.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1900s.

Summit Settlement
Summit, The High Point
Summit Tunnel Tunnel
Geographical term in that it is the highest point of the railway line that used to run over the Remutaka Ranges. There was a railway settlement located here. It also refers to the lookout at the top of the Remutaka Hill road. The Summit Tunnel goes under Rochforts Pass. The length of the tunnel is 576 metres and was built between 1874 and 1878.

Source – Map, A Guide To The Rimutaka Rail Trail by Graeme Jupp. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1870s.

Swansons Creek Water
Charles Swanson (1839 – 1917) was a 19^th century settler in the Whitemans Valley area.

Source – Map. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1882.

Tanes Track Track
The God of Forests and Light. The track starts from the picnic area in Tunnel Gully and returns back to the starting point.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Tapokopoko, Mt High Point
Tapokopoko Stream Water
To sink into mud or get bogged down. It was also known as Mt Morris, which was named after George Bentham Morris (1839 – 1903) who was a Independent party Member of Parliament. He represented the East Coast and later the Tauranga Electorate from 1876 to 1885, whose portfolios were customs and marine. High points were named after politicians who were prominent at the time.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Te Ara Tirohanga Track Track
The place where the view improves as you climb the ascending pathway. Te means the. Ara means path. Tirohanga means view. It was renamed in May 2012 from the Rimutaka Trig Track. The track starts from just the below the road summit on the Remutaka Hill Road on the Wellington side and goes to the crest of the Remutaka Range.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Thrust Creek Water
Geological term in that there is a break in the Earths crust, across which older rocks are pushed above younger rock. It is also known as Wharekauhau Stream.

Source – Map, Reading The Rocks – A Guide To Geological Features Of The Wairarapa Coast by Lloyd Homer and Phil Moore. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1990s.

Tramway Gully Water
There were a number of timber tramways in the area that were built to extract timber.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1900s.

Tunnel Gully Valley
Tunnel, Mt High Point
Where there is an artificial underground passage through a hill. Named after the Mangaroa, Pākuratahi and Remutaka railway tunnels that are in the area.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1870s.

Turakirae Head Headland
Turakirae Head Scientific Reserve Park / Reserve
Turakirae Hut Hut
A headland that comes down to the sea level. It is where the Remutaka Range descends southward and meets the sea. Turaki means to push down. Rae means headland. Turakirae Head is also known as Cape Turakirae. To a lesser extent Turakirae Head is also known as The Rak on the account of the rock climbing boulders in the area.

Turakirae Head Scientific Reserve was in the 1960s a quarry. Due to fact there are a series of raised terraces which show where the beach has been prior to a seismic event this caused issues. In 1969 the area became publicly owned and has since expanded. It is owned by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the area covered is about 127 hectares.

The Turakirae Hut was in existence from the 1920s to the 1960s and used by musterers of the Ōrongorongo Station. It was a private hut owned by the Ōrongorongo Station but visitors were allowed to use it. The hut was located between Turakirae Head and Barneys Whare on a plateau near the beach with a large shingle fan behind it.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Place Names Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Uawa Settlement
Rainy season or to land at a river valley. There was a Maori settlement located here. Ua means rain. Wa means season. Or U means to land. Awa means river valley. There was also a Maori settlement located here.

Source – Mr Colenso’s Wairarapa – Twelve Journeys 1843 – 1852 by Ian St George. Information – Māori Place Names Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Via Dela Rosa Road / Track
A Spanish word meaning of the rose. The track starts from about halfway down the Remutaka Hill Road on the Wellington side and goes to the Ladle Bend Bridge on the Remutaka Railway Track.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1990s.

Waimārara, Mt High Point
Waimārara Stream Water
Moon over shinning water. Wai means water. Mārara means moon, light or enlighten This is an official version. The origins of the word are disputed and other translations are clear water; name given to a fresh water spring; and the sight of the full moon rising from the sea on a clear summers evening. Topographical maps prior to the 1990s have had Waimārara Stream on the west side, that is the Wellington side of Mt Waimārara. After 1990 Waimārara Stream was on the east side, that is the Wairarapa side of Mt Waimārara. There are the remains of a World War 2 (1939 – 1945) Radar Station located at Mt Waimārara.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Place Names Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Waiorongomai Biv Hut
Waiorongomai Hut Hut
Waiorongomai River Water
Waiorongomai Saddle Geographic Feature
Waiorongomai Track Track
A peaceful water. Wai means water. Rongo means peace. Mai means for ages. Relates to a Māori Legend of the giant bird Rongomai (bird of peace) who stopped to drink from Lake Wairarapa on his way up the North Island from Wellington. Also it is waters of repute.

The Waiorongomai Biv was in existence from the 1960s to 2018. It was a DOC hut. The hut was located upstream from Waiorongomai Hut.

The Waiorongomai Hut was built in 1980. It is a DOC hut. The hut is located on the south side of the corner of Oreore Stream and Waiorongomai River.

The Waiorongomai Track starts from 2232 Western Lake Road, Wairarapa and goes to the Hut. The track has its origins in that it was also a Māori track that it gained access to the Ōrongorongo Valley area and then onto Wainuiomata.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Place Names Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Whare Hill High Point
A house or hut. Named after a house / hut that was located in the area.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1900s.

Wharekauhau, Mt High Point
Wharekaukau Stream Water
A place of knowledge. Whare means house. Kauhau means knowledge. Wharekauhau Stream is also known as Thrust Creek.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary. Time Frame – 1800s.

Wharepapa Hut Hut
Wharepapa River Water
A house built of flat planks or boards. Whare means house. Papa means flat. The hut was built in 1962 by deer / possum hunters. It is also known as Joes Hut, which is named after Herbert James (Joe) Houghton (1940 – 2021), who was a farm manager at Wharekauhau Station. It is a DOC hut. The hut is located alongside the Wharepapa River where the Papatahi Crossing crosses the river.

Source – Map. Information – Māori Dictionary, DoC. Time Frame – 1800s.

White Stone Hill High Point
White stones are present.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1880s.

Whitemans Spur High Point
Edward Whiteman (1855 – 1927) was a 19^th century farmer in the Mangaroa Valley area. He is a descendant of George Whiteman (1828 – 1905) who discovered Whitemans Valley while pig hunting in 1846.

Source – Map. Information – Electoral Roll. Time Frame – 1900s.

Wild Coast Track Road / Track
Geographical term in that it is a uninhabited, uncultivated and inhospitable coastline by the sea. It is a private road partly owned by DOC. The track starts from the Corner Creek Campsite and goes to the road end at the Coast Road, Wainuiomata. Its origins is that it was also a Māori Track. It was also known as the Pack Track.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 2010s.

Windy Point Headland
Geographical term in that it is always windy and exposed at this point.

Source – Map. Information – Internet Dictionary. Time Frame – 1840s.

Bibliography

Maps

• A Guide To Rimutaka And Haurangi State Forest Parks 274/4 Edition 1 1984.
• Featherston BP33 Edition 1 2017.
• Featherston Camp Manoeuvre Area, Topographical Survey Section, Defence Department 1916.
• Hutt N160 1943.
• Hutt N160 3rd Edition 1965.
• Hutt N160 4th Edition 1977.
• Lake Wairarapa BQ33 Edition 1 2015.
• Lake Wairarapa S27 Edition 1 1980.
• Lower Hutt BQ32 Edition 1 2017.
• Onoke N165 1st Edition 1953.
• Onoke N165 3rd Edition 1973.
• Paraparaumu BP32 Edition 1 2017.
• Park Map Rimutaka And Haurangi 274–02 Edition 2 1989.
• Rimutaka N161 2nd Edition 1968.
• Rimutaka N161 3rd Edition 1974.
• Trentham Manoeuvre Area, Topographical Survey Section, Defence Department 1916 and 1929.
• Turakirae R28 Edition 1 1978.
• Wellington BQ31 Edition 2 2016.
• Wellington N164 2nd Edition 1962.
• Wellington N164 3rd Edition 1967.
• Wellington N164 4th Edition 1974.
• Wellington R27 1st Edition 1979.
• Wellington R27 and part Q27 2nd Edition 1983.
• Wellington R27, R28 and part Q27 2006.
• Wellington R27, R28 and part Q27 3rd Edition 1996.

Other sources

• Surveyor Field Books from Land Information New Zealand.

Birth and Deaths dates have been obtained from:

• Birth, Death and Marriage Indexes from New Zealand, England and Ireland.
• Other genealogy sources such as Ancestry and Find My Past.

• All Trails website.
• Department of Conservation (DOC) website.
• Greater Wellington Regional Council website.
• Internet Dictionary.
• Internet Searches.
• Local Knowledge
• Maps Past New Zealand website.
• New Zealand Electoral Rolls from the 1860s to present.
• Papers Past Website.
• Stream names that are on bridges from personal visit along the Western Lake Road, Wairarapa.
• Tararua Tramping Club Trip Reports and website.
• Trailforks website.
• Upper Hutt Information Centre.
• Wikipedia

Books

• Adkin, G. Leslie. The Great Harbour of Tara.
• Bagnall, A. G. and Peterson, G. C. William Colenso – His Life and Journeys.
• Barnett, Shaun and Maclean, Chris. Leading the Way: 100 Years of the Tararua Tramping Club.
• Best, Elsdon. The land of Tara and they who settled it.
• Brochures Turakirae Head Scientific Reserve.
• Cameron, W. N. A Line of Railway.
• Carey, Alison. Valley And Bays – Origins of Street Names in Lower Hutt, including Eastbourne, Petone and Wainuiomata.
• Cochran, Chris and Maclean, Chris and Sheppard, Allan. Built Heritage of the Ōrongorongo Valley.
• Foley, Kristen. Wellington Rock – A Guide for Climbers.
• Greig, B. D. A. Tararua Story – Tararua Tramping Club.
• Homer, Lloyd and Moore, Phil. Reading the Rocks – A Guide to Geological Features of the Wairarapa Coast.
• Jupp, Graeme. A Guide to the Rimutaka Rail Trail – 3^rd Edition.
• Kerr, Ross. A Chronology of the Tararua and Rimutaka Ranges – 6^th Edition.
• Lane-Taylor, Joanne. The History of the Orongorongo Valley and Environs.
• Maclean, Chris. Tararua – The Story of a Mountain Range.
• McColl, Rob (Editor). Kaumātua Tramping Club 60th Anniversary July 2020.
• Reed, A.W. A Dictionary of Māori Place Names.
• Sewell, Bill. A Guide to Rimutaka Forest Park.
• Sheehan, Grant. Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate New Zealand.
• St George, Ian. Mr Colenso’s Wairarapa – Twelve Journeys 1843 – 1852.
• Yates, Lynly. Upper Hutt Street A–Z Master Themes.
• Yates, Lynly. Upper Hutt District and Topographical Features.

Category

Remutaka Glossary