12 February 2022

With an expected high river flow in the Tukituki River we decided not to do the Khyber Pass trip and as  heavy rain was forecasted for Sunday we decided to walk  the Tutira and Tangoio walkways on Saturday.  However, Graeme reminded me that the Wairoa Road was closed for the weekend (from the Aropaoanui turnoff northwards) meaning we couldn’t get to Tutira so we decided to do a return walk of the Tangoio walkway and  White Pine Bush. 

We went there in 2 cars , my car had a rather doubting Thomas in it, particularly as we drove through torrential rain between Napier and Bay View, I told him to keep driving. As we drove up the Tangoio valley the rain ceased and the grumbling stopped. We had a great day, there was plenty of water going over the waterfalls but none of it landed on us, in fact there even was a little sunshine at times.

We left an empty Tangoio carpark about 8 o’clock and started along the walkway through the Tangoio Scenic Reserve. We made the detour to see the Te Ana Falls and then carried on up to view the Tangoio Falls, passing many little waterfalls fuelled by the recent downpour, on the way.  The vegetation in the scenic reserve is very varied and like the nearby Waipatiki Reserve has many splendid Nikaus sporting bracts of fruit.  Needless to say the Kereru was quite evident there.  

After the scenic reserve the walkway passes through a recently logged area, the only thing odf interest in this section was the explosion of about 10 pheasants from just above the track.  The last part of the walkway passes first through a redwood grove and then through another native section before ending at the Napier Taupo Road immediately opposite White Pine Bush

Morning tea was had at the White Pine shelter after which  we did the large loop and enjoyed the large Kahikatea, interupting a tourist takig a selfie at one of the trees.  We then re- crossed the road and retraced our steps back to the Tangoio carpark passing quite a number of groups others out enjoying the break in the weather.. Lunch was had at the Tangoio shelter and there, whilst under cover we had the only rain of the trip. 

After lunch Anthea and Jude headed back to town while Peter Janice & I drove down to the Tangoio beach and walked south down to the Pakarutahi river mouth.  Seagulls were feasting on small fish as they were washed up on to the beach and Peter even spotted a frog there.   

Peter B,  Anthea C, Janice L, Jude H and Glenda H

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