Mangaweka
Encyclopedia
Mangaweka is a township on State Highway One (SH1), in the North Island
of New Zealand
, with a population of just over 200. It is between Taihape
to the north and Hunterville to the south. The Rangitikei River
runs adjacent to the township, which is popular for rafting, kayaking, fishing and swimming.
The township is interesting not only for the visually interesting historic main street, but also because of its growing artists' community. The main street is preserved in its original state due to SH1 being re-located in the early 1980s. This tore the heart out of the township as the main street became redundant, but this is what makes the township such a tourist attraction today, with many people stopping to take photographs and visit the flourishing art galleries.
The main feature in Mangaweka is an elevated DC-3
aircraft. It was originally set above SH1 as a tearoom, but is now featuring it's history in New Zealand. There is also a busy cafe under the DC3 that acts as the base for a river rafting company. The Department of Conservation have several scenic reserve walks around Mangaweka including one on the former North Island Main Trunk railway line and tunnels, replaced by a deviation in 1981.
Famous (or infamous) people who have lived in Mangaweka include the New Zealand poet Sam Hunt, the artist Robin White (whose iconic "Mangaweka" painting hangs in Te Papa) and photographer/artist Richard Aslett. The town also hosts the controversial annual "Fakes & Forgeries Art Exhibition and Festival" in October and November, which in 2007 featured Mangaweka's most famous son, C. F. Goldie
(alias Karl Sim http://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaystartimes/318027a22870.html).
Other major features close to the town include some of the country's biggest railway viaductshttp://www.teara.govt.nz/en/whanganui-places/9/4, and the Rangitikei River canyon which provides the setting for the southern hemisphere's highest flying fox, 80m bungy jump and Lord of the Rings location.
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, with a population of just over 200. It is between Taihape
Taihape
Taihape is the Northern gateway town of the Rangitikei District, located near the middle of the North Island of New Zealand. It services a large rural community and lies on State Highway 1, which runs through the centre of the North Island.- Economy :...
to the north and Hunterville to the south. The Rangitikei River
Rangitikei River
The Rangitikei River is one of New Zealand's longest rivers, 185 kilometers long.Its headwaters are to the southeast of Lake Taupo in the Kaimanawa Ranges. It flows from the Central Plateau south past Taihape, Mangaweka, Hunterville, Marton, and Bulls, to the South Taranaki Bight at Tangimoana, 40...
runs adjacent to the township, which is popular for rafting, kayaking, fishing and swimming.
The township is interesting not only for the visually interesting historic main street, but also because of its growing artists' community. The main street is preserved in its original state due to SH1 being re-located in the early 1980s. This tore the heart out of the township as the main street became redundant, but this is what makes the township such a tourist attraction today, with many people stopping to take photographs and visit the flourishing art galleries.
The main feature in Mangaweka is an elevated DC-3
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
aircraft. It was originally set above SH1 as a tearoom, but is now featuring it's history in New Zealand. There is also a busy cafe under the DC3 that acts as the base for a river rafting company. The Department of Conservation have several scenic reserve walks around Mangaweka including one on the former North Island Main Trunk railway line and tunnels, replaced by a deviation in 1981.
Famous (or infamous) people who have lived in Mangaweka include the New Zealand poet Sam Hunt, the artist Robin White (whose iconic "Mangaweka" painting hangs in Te Papa) and photographer/artist Richard Aslett. The town also hosts the controversial annual "Fakes & Forgeries Art Exhibition and Festival" in October and November, which in 2007 featured Mangaweka's most famous son, C. F. Goldie
C. F. Goldie
Charles Frederick Goldie, OBE was a well-known New Zealand artist, famous for his portrayal of Māori dignitaries.Goldie was born in Auckland on 20 October 1870. He was named after his maternal grandfather, Charles Frederick Partington, who built the landmark Auckland windmill...
(alias Karl Sim http://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaystartimes/318027a22870.html).
Other major features close to the town include some of the country's biggest railway viaductshttp://www.teara.govt.nz/en/whanganui-places/9/4, and the Rangitikei River canyon which provides the setting for the southern hemisphere's highest flying fox, 80m bungy jump and Lord of the Rings location.