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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 5, Issue 6 (October 1, 1930)

Beautiful Morere and Flourishing Wairoa

Beautiful Morere and Flourishing Wairoa

The vernal beauty and freshness of Morere, famed for its wonderful hot mineral springs and the stately nikau groves, contrasts with the venerable aspects of the mountains and hills roundabout. Morere is a natural paradise, and perpetuates in miniature the entrancing loveliness that at one time, before the advent of the devastating civilisation of the pakeha, clothed the hills and valleys. In this region the road winds through many scenes rendered historic by the depredations of the warrior Te Kooti; and the sleek cattle graze placidly on sites that within the memory of living man ran red with the blood of victims slain in battle or wantonly massacred. The mountain fastnesses once securely held by the resourceful and crafy warrior are still pointed out. Pursuit into his numerous Urewera strongholds was impossible.

Wairoa is a flourishing centre, and the starting point of a three-hour run by motor to Lake Waikaremoana.

page 45

Proceeding from Wairoa some mountainous country is soon reached, and when within ten miles of Gisborne, from the summit of Wharerata Hill, one of the most magnificent panoramas of land and sea is obtained.

The view from this lofty elevation embraces the whole of Poverty Bay. Prominent in the foreground is Young Hick's [sic] Head, the first land in New Zealand to be sighted by Captain Cook, and facetiously named by the great navigator in honour of his devoted and incorrigible cabin-boy. The prospect here set out before the traveller is classic, but the inappropriateness of the designation, Poverty Bay, is borne out by the wealth that centres in the handsome and picturesque town of Gisborne. The confluence almost in the heart of the town of the Tarnhern and Waikoau Rivers adds greatly to its charm, a charm enhanced by the rich gardens and substantial residences that fringe the outer circle of the town.

Along The Shore of Beautiful Lake Roto-iti. (Rly. Publicity photo.) Some of the fine lake scenery in the vicinity of the Rotorua Wonderland

Along The Shore of Beautiful Lake Roto-iti.
(Rly. Publicity photo.)
Some of the fine lake scenery in the vicinity of the Rotorua Wonderland