This trip starts at Kohukohu or the northern terminal of the Ferry.

From Kohukohu drive towards the Ferry terminal. About 2 km after the terminal you will see on your right the remains of the buildings of the Motukaraka Dairy Company factory.

Turn left at the next road on your left, Motukaraka Point Road. At the end of the point you will come to the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, which is very visible across the Harbour from Rawene. Built in 1910, it has been well maintained by the local congregation.

Return to West Coast Road and follow the signs to Panguru. Pass Matawhera Road on you left and turn into the next one, Motuti Road. This will lead you down to the Harbour and shortly after you first see the water, look for an entrance on your right to St. Mary's (Hat Maria) Church. This is where the casket containing the bones of Bishop Pompalier were placed when they were brought back from France in 2004.

Half the church building was originally at Pompalier’s mission at Purukau, further down the Harbour. It was moved to Motuti in 1922 and joined to another old Kauri building. The joint between the two buildings is nearly invisible. The restored Stations of the Cross are particularly fine art specimens and you will also find much of interest in the inscriptions on the headstones in the graveyard.

Further along Motuti Road you will see the Motuti Marae, an elaborately decorated structure. The people of the marae offer day visits and overnight stays, with cultural displays. For more information visit their web site >>

Further along on the right hand side of the road is a reconstruction of a typical Maori village – Tuireremai Pa. You can visit this, but you need to phone first to ensure that there is somebody there – phone 09 4052 506.

You return to Kohukohu the way you came. Or you can continue on to Panguru and Mitimiti – see Itinerary N11 >>