THE UPS & DOWNS OF MANGONUI HERITAGE TOWN

The township of Mangonui is built on a hill beside lovely Doubtless Bay. It is steep. And because of this there are magnificent views everywhere.

Local opinion has it that Mangonui was planned in a London office in the 1880s and the clerk had no idea that he was dealing with a hill. Streets are laid out at right angles to the water and ascend at alarming gradients. You have to be fit to walk the heritage trail which includes lovely old buildings, views of local pā sites and enough panoramic vistas to fill a calendar.

The town’s name comes from the traditional tale of a big shark (mangā nui)