Welcome to Maungaturoto Heart of the Kaipara

 

Welcome to Maungaturoto: the heart of the Kaipara District. Located amidst rural farmland, dominated by Pukeareinga, the township was established in 1863 by settlers from the Albertland Settlement Scheme. Land was purchased by the Crown in the 1850s from iwi Te Uri o Hau, which still maintains a strong presence in the area to this day.

Maungaturoto has a vibrant, welcoming community and it is growing fast. The main employer is Fonterra, which is located just before the entrance to the township on State Highway 12. As a point of interest, it is the oldest of the dairy factories owned by the co-operative, which in this area had its beginnings as the Maungaturoto Co-operative Dairy Company in 1902 when the first factory was established.

Since the time of first settlement and now into the 21st century, the township has developed into a thriving, vibrant community with many activities, businesses and creative pursuits to suit everyone of all ages. In the town centre can be found three cafes each with its own unique menu and vibe. 

Nearby, on Hurndall Street East is the Sitting Duck Takeaways, where you can get a meal of your favourite fish and chips. The Maungaturoto Historic Inn, built in 1902, offers meals, accommodation and bar facilities and is well-known for its friendly team and family atmosphere.

Orrs Chemist is close to the Coast to Coast Medical Centre. Add to that real estate agents, Tony's Lotto Shop, Otamatea Community Services, Maungaturoto Four Square, Real Town Pies, Maungaturoto Library, Kaipara Kidz childcare, Maungaturoto Playcentre, Farm Source, Carters, the RSA, Dreams and the Maungaturoto Op Shop, and everything is where you need it to be. 

Maungaturoto has two state schools: Maungaturoto Primary School and Otamatea High School. Two private schools are also in the township: Otamatea Christian School and OneSchool Global Campus Maungaturoto.

Located on Bickerstaffe Road, is The Den, a second-hand emporium run by the community, where you can find everything you need to furnish your home. Proceeds from sales are used to assist community groups. Further along, on the left is Maungaturoto Country Club offering full facilities for several sports codes, as well as restaurant and catering facilities. It also provides space for New Zealand Motor Caravan Association members. The grounds also have a walking track which is open most of the year except for lambing time. There is also squash, rugby and bowls to enjoy for sporting enthusiasts. The local hunt club holds twilight showjumping during the show season midweek.

Adjoining the Maungaturoto Country Club is the Otamatea Repertory Theatre, a community-run theatre group that welcomes people of all ages to come and join in with theatre productions and other activities it holds during the year.

Opposite the country club entrance is the Maungaturoto MX Club for those who like getting out on a bike and taking on the track challenge. The club meets regularly with practice nights on Thursdays.

Ten minutes drive away is Whakapirau Beach, a quiet place in winter but buzzing in summer. Take a swim or have a picnic in the shade of the pohutukawa trees on the shoreline of the Arapaoa River. The area was once the resting place of Te Uri o Hau, killed by invading Ngapuhi at the battle of Puketapu in 1825. Later, the koiwi (human bones) were gathered up and placed in a mausoleum by Captain Henry Colbeck, who purchased the Pukehuia Block on which the settlement of Whakapirau now stands.

Wherever you want to visit in the Kaipara District, Maungaturoto is a great place to start out on the journey. Haere mai - Welcome.