Kahurangi Gateway

Project to erect ‘Gateway to Kahurangi National Park’ beside Tapawera Community Centre. Gateway to be built by volunteers and Tapawera school students with symbols depicting the early history of Kahurangi exploration, particularly by Brunner and Kehu.

Other Gateway features: Gold prospecting, mountains and rivers of Kahurangi, symbols of unity and challenge. To include gardens featuring native Kahurangi plants and ferns, water feature, rockery including large Kahurangi granite ‘guardian’ rock, seated areas, local/historical information and a scenic wall mural to blend with garden.

Gateway will become a symbol of Tapawera and boost its local economy. There is a potential to evolve the Gateway and part of the Community Centre to a broader local community and tourism function, as well as future local community development and employment. Gateway will be a roadside and national/international marketed attraction for current/future tourism and businesses in the area. Tourists will be encouraged to stay and explore rather than just drive through, helping to create a much needed boost for the district.