The old Pahi Wharf

In the Kaipara region, where we use to live about 45 minutes away is the tiny holiday town of Pahi (pronounced Par-hee) situated at the end of the peninsula at the Kaipara Harbour. It is one of the settlements established by the early settlers known as the "Albertlanders" with the nearest town being Paparoa.  The wharf is kind of an icon in these parts and is popular with many tourists, locals and fishing people.

From my research it looks like the original wharf was completed in 1881 with repairs in 1909 but sadly was demolished in the 1960s by a Navy blasting team on a training exercise. On 19 January 1987 the new wharf was opened by then prime minister David Lange built at a cost of $4000 by local residents. These days it is managed by the Pahi Regatta Committee.

Before roads were constructed in the area, dozens of boats would arrive from Helensville in the south bringing Aucklanders and from many farms around the region. As mentioned above, every year the Pahi Regatta is held which was first begun in 1887 and involves a community event of launch races, kayak contests, runabout races and and outboard powered bathtubs - a fun family day.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Kakaraea Methodist Church

This is a place I've been wanting to photograph for a long time. Located about 20 minutes or so out of Maungaturoto in the Kaipara along gravel roads the Kakaraea Methodist Church was first opened on Sunday March 29th 1874 and built under the direction of missionary Rev. William Gittos for the purpose of being the central church for his mission to the Maori in this region.

Unfortunately the entry door was locked so I couldn't take decent photos of the interior, so this one I had to make do with through one of the windows.  Apparently the church has special significance as the land it stands on was deliberately picked because of it's tapu (sacred) status in connection with the death of Hautatu (Chief Arama Karaka) and others at the battle of Ranganui (part of the musket wars). Otamatea Marae which is nearby and is the meeting place for the local Ngati Whatua tribe - it is still used today for events and tangis (burials).

Linking up with My Corner of the World and Skywatch Friday.

Kauri Bushmans Memorial Reserve

The other half and I drove out to Paparoa yesterday, about a 20 minute drive away to visit the Kauri Bushman's Walk - it's nice to see at their entrance they have a system for people to clean their shoes because of Kauri Dieback Disease which is killing many of our native trees.

Kauri dieback disease is something that infects these trees - it gets in at the root and causes root rot, bleeding of resin and yellowing of the leaves, eventually it kills them.

This was a relatively short walk - think it took us about 15 minutes to walk around the loop but there wasn't anyone else but us so it was quiet and peaceful.

Not a big a forest as Waipoua for instance where Tane Mahuta lives but it's an easy walk so good for little ones.

This plaque next to the entry explains that the reserve was purchased in 1954 by the Kauri Bushman's Association Bird and Forest Protection Society of Whangarei and the Otamatea County Council. It was dedicated to the memory of pre-first world war Kauri bushmen who worked before 1914 when the area was first being settled.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday.

The old Paparoa post office guest house

A couple of years ago while driving around Paparoa in Northland with Liz over at Mad Bush Farm we stopped at the old Paparoa post office guest house, quite an old building in those parts.  According to the information on their website the building is made of Kauri and has been in Paparoa since 1903. The historical Paparoa Cemetery is just up the road, Pahi and Whakapirau beach are also nearby as are some local cafes and the Cruiser Bar and Grill plus Sahara Restaurant are virtually around the corner.