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Explore the rich maritime history of Whangārei on a self-guided walk along the Hātea River Heritage Trail! As you stroll, you’ll encounter fascinating stories like that of Te Terenga Parāoa, one of Whangārei’s traditional names, meaning "the gathering place of the whales."In Māori culture, the parāoa, or sperm whale, symbolizes chiefly status, wealth, and abundance. Whales were considered a sacred gift from the gods, providing essential resources like food, oil, and bone, which were used for everything from tools to ornaments.
Centuries ago, Māori tribes would perform rituals to call the whales into the harbour, where they would sometimes strand, offering these valuable resources to the local people. In the 1820s, Hongi Hika, the famed Ngāpuhi warlord, gathered chiefs at Whangārei Harbour before heading to battle, earning them the symbolic title of "great whales of the ocean."
So, take a walk and uncover these stories and more by reading the heritage signs along the trail.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
HATEA Loop Whangarei, Hatea drive,Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand
