Te Hangāruru – A Journey Through Our Whenua

Nestled beneath the shadow of Ruapehu and stretching across the ancestral lands of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua, Te Hangāruru is more than a cycle trail—it is a journey through living history, culture, and the enduring relationship between our people and the whenua.

The name Te Hangāruru was gifted by Uenuku and reflects a place of abundance, shelter, and harmony. It speaks to the richness of our environment and the responsibility we carry as kaitiaki to protect and restore it for future generations.

As riders and walkers travel between Horopito and Waimarino, they pass through ancient forests, cross dramatic river valleys, and experience landscapes shaped by generations who have lived, travelled, hunted, gathered, and cared for these lands.

Reconnecting People, Culture and Nature

Te Hangāruru forms a vital connection within the Mountains to Sea – Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride, linking communities, stories, and landscapes across the central North Island.

For Te Korowai o Wainuiārua, the trail represents something much deeper than recreation. It is a pathway for cultural revitalisation, environmental restoration, education, and economic development.

Through this kaupapa we are creating opportunities for our uri and local communities while sharing the unique stories, history, and values of our rohe with visitors from throughout Aotearoa and the world.

Supporting Restoration Through
Kaitiakitanga

Te Hangāruru is closely connected to the vision for the Pōkākā Eco-Sanctuary,
an ambitious iwi-led conservation initiative focused on restoring native ecosystems
and protecting taonga species.

Together, these projects demonstrate how cultural values, environmental
stewardship, and sustainable tourism can work hand in hand to create lasting
benefits for both people and the environment.

Through training, employment, and conservation initiatives,
Te Korowai o Wainuiārua is investing in the next generation of kaitiaki who will
continue caring for these lands long into the future.