Our History
Geological History
Ngatuhoa lies at the northern end of the Mamaku Plateau, a broad, largely flat volcanic tableland deeply incised by steep gorges. These gorges were carved by spring-fed streams draining northward toward Tauranga Harbour. The landscape is the product of powerful volcanic activity in relatively recent geological history.
The most significant of these eruptions occurred thousands of years ago from the Rotorua caldera. Gas-rich magma exploded beneath the surface, blasting out a vast crater that later filled with water to form Lake Rotorua. Superheated gases, pumice, and ash raced across the surrounding land at immense speed before settling, compacting, and cooling into a rock known as ignimbrite.
This ignimbrite layer, resting on an ancient greywacke base, varies in thickness from approximately 15 to 150 metres. Subsequent eruptions, including Mount Tarawera around 900 years ago, added further layers of volcanic ash (tephra) atop the ignimbrite. These layered deposits are clearly visible in road cuttings throughout the area. The ignimbrite itself is best observed in stream beds, where erosion has exposed its characteristic fractures, cavities, and weathered surfaces.
Over time, vegetation colonised the ash-rich soils. Today, the plateau is predominantly cloaked in North Island podocarp–hardwood forest, with scattered and isolated pockets of kauri and beech adding to the ecological diversity of the landscape.
Early Māori History
The first people to inhabit this area, around 250 years ago, were of the Ngāti Ranginui iwi. Their original homeland was Mauao (Mount Maunganui), and their rohe extended along the coast from Maketū to Katikati, and inland to the crest of the Kaimai Range, including Pūwhenua, Ōtanewainuku, Ōtāwa, and Tūhua (Mayor Island).
In the mid-1700s, Ngāti Ranginui were invaded by Ngāi Te Rangi from the eastern Bay of Plenty. Many were killed and buried along the beach. In recent times, heavy seas have uncovered skeletal remains, bringing renewed awareness of this tragic event.
Those who survived retreated inland and later became a hapū within Ngāti Ranginui. They established settlements in a number of fortified pā around the Ruahihi, Pyes Pā, and Ōropi areas, several of which remain clearly visible today.
With access to the rich seafood resources of Tauranga Harbour now controlled by Ngāi Te Rangi, these communities adapted to their new inland environment. They relied on the forests and streams for food and resources, and came to be known as “bush dwellers,” a name reflecting both resilience and deep connection to the land.
The legend of Te Rere I Oturo (The Leap of Oturu)
There lived once upon a time a member of the Ngati Ranginui hapu whose name was Oturu. He lived with his wife and family in one of the several fortified pa in the Ruahihi region near the upper reaches of the Wairoa River. He was born and grew up in the area and was thoroughly familiar with all the forest and streams which fed into Wairoa near his home. He frequently made excursions into the forest, traveling up the Ngatuhoa and the Opuiaki Streams where he caught many fat eels and snared many fat pigeons. He would always stay away for several days, before returning to his family with only a few small ill-fed pigeons and some skinny eels. While his family showed increasing evidence of malnutrition, Oturu managed to stay in very good shape and it became obvious to everyone that he was consuming the best eels and pigeons in the forest himself and bringing only the skinny ones home. Oturu’s wife had two brothers whose attention was drawn to the disparity in the physical condition of Oturu and his wife and children. They decided to follow him on one of his hunting excursions to satisfy themselves that their suspicions were correct. After observing him for two or three days dining sumptuously on fine, fat pigeons and storing the skinny ones to take home, they decided to swoop in. Oturu took off downstream with his wife’s brothers in hot pursuit. The flat rock in the stream bed made for fast traveling so the desperate Oturu, knowing that capture probably meant death, kept to the bed of the stream until he reached the top of the 42-meter-high waterfall. With his two brothers-in-law closing in fast, the only escape was over the edge. He took a flying leap….The legend ends here. Whether Oturu survived his adventure is left to our imaginations.
Land Confiscation and Its Aftermath
Following the New Zealand Land Wars, which concluded in 1864, approximately 50,000 acres of land were confiscated by the government. This area stretched from Tauranga Harbour, between the Wairoa and Waimapu rivers, and extended south to the edge of the forest. Much of this land had been occupied by Ngāti Hangarau.
As a result of the confiscation, Ngāti Hangarau were left with a significantly reduced area of land, consisting mainly of dense forest. This remaining territory lay around what is now the junction of Omanawa and McLarens Falls Roads, between the Ōpuiaki and Omanawa rivers, and extending several miles southward.
Today, this landscape contains a number of notable features. Kauri trees are scattered throughout much of the Mangapapa Gorge, and several streams have been diverted as part of a hydroelectric power scheme. Beyond and to the west of the remaining Ngāti Hangarau land, large tracts of forest are now government-owned and form part of the Kaimai–Mamaku Forest Park.
Land Use, Forestry, and the Setting of Ngatuhoa
A further 18,000 acres were purchased by the Gammon brothers, who established a timber mill at Omanawa in 1908. Around 1,000 acres were logged, cleared, and grassed for farming; however, these efforts ultimately failed due to a widespread cobalt deficiency in the soil that affected much of the Tauranga district at the time. The land was subsequently planted in radiata pine, which has since been harvested, allowing farming to be attempted once more.
Adjacent to this area lies the government-owned Pūwhenua block, covering approximately 4,500 acres. Of this, around 2,000 acres are designated as virgin forest reserve. Immediately to the north is Māori-owned land. Although much of this area was extensively logged by the Frankham brothers up until 1975, large portions remain in a near-virgin state. Other Māori-owned lands in the vicinity have been developed as exotic forest plantations.
Set within this diverse landscape is Ngatuhoa Lodge, surrounded by streams, waterfalls, and native bush alive with birdsong. It is hoped that the thousands of young New Zealanders—and older visitors too—who stay here will enjoy their time in this remarkable environment, and that they will leave with a deeper appreciation of their natural heritage and a stronger commitment to protecting it.
The Establishment of Ngatuhoa Lodge
The idea for Ngatuhoa Lodge was born in 1967 and was the dream and vision of William (Bill) Kennedy. Bill initially envisaged establishing an adventure school in the Kaimai Range, similar in concept to Outward Bound. However, this idea was soon refined into a more achievable and inclusive vision: a campsite and accommodation facility that could be used by tramping clubs, schools, Scouts, and other community groups.
With support from the New Zealand Forest Service, a steering committee was formed, with Bill serving as chairman. In 1968, the organisation The Kaimai Youth Camp Society was formally established, sparking an intense period of planning and community effort. Donations of time, money, and building materials flowed in, reflecting widespread support for the project.
Construction of Ngatuhoa Lodge began in late 1967 under the direction of the late Vic Mansell. Framing timber (redwood) was sourced from logs felled on Laurie Singleton’s farm at Te Puke and milled by Gil Roper at the Waimapu Mill (Yatton Park). The flooring was generously donated by the Hutt Timber Company. Interior three-ply lining was produced from a rimu log taken from the Ōpuiaki area, logged by Jim Geraghty and peeled into plywood by J. J. Houthuzen—Ngatuhoa’s first patron—at H. T. Houthuzen Plywood’s factory at Gate Pā.
Ngatuhoa Lodge was first used in 1968 by Otumoetai Intermediate School, accompanied by teacher Graham Wood, who later served on the committee until 2013. The lodge was officially opened in March 1970, and plans for extensions followed almost immediately.
Subsequent development included the construction of the side bunkrooms, followed more recently by the rebuilding of the toilet block into a modern and well-designed amenity facility. An upgraded sewage treatment plant has also been installed to address drainage issues associated with the original field tile system.
Bill Kennedy continued to support Ngatuhoa Lodge throughout his life, contributing new ideas such as Life Memberships, the establishment of a native tree arboretum, and the development of the hydro-electric scheme. He also actively supported initiatives led by other committee members, including the flying fox and obstacle course. Today, the volunteer supporters group, Friends of Ngatuhoa Lodge, continue to be inspired by Bill Kennedy’s original vision and enduring legacy.
The next project undertaken was the side bunkrooms, followed by the latest large project rebuilding the toilet block, a very elegant amenity block. Recently an improved sewage treatment plant has been installed to overcome problems experienced with poor drainage in the field tiles.
Ngatuhoa Lodge Today
As Tauranga city and the surrounding communities continue to grow, Ngatuhoa Lodge has remained a vital place where people of all ages can experience the Ngahere o Aotearoa in an authentic and meaningful way. We are continually developing and enhancing our activities and facilities to enrich the experience of those who stay with us. Our hope is that everyone who visits, and shares in our story, leaves with a deep and lasting love of the bush.
Ngatuhoa Lodge exists to offer a unique opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the New Zealand bush, its wildlife, and the pioneering history of the region. We aim to nurture an understanding of nature and its conservation, while providing the setting, facilities, and equipment that encourage bushcraft skills, outdoor pursuits, and integrated learning. Through these experiences, we seek to foster personal growth and social development in an outdoor environment, while carefully managing and protecting the natural landscape within the Department of Conservation lease area.
We seek to provide a unique opportunity for people to appreciate the beauty of the New Zealand bush, wildlife and the pioneering history of New Zealand. We want to develop a love and understanding of nature and its conservation and to provide the setting, facilities and equipment that will foster bush-craft, outdoor pursuits and integrated studies. We hope to foster personal and social development in an outdoor setting and to manage and maintain the natural environment and the improvements within the Department of Conservation lease area.
