Akatarawa Saddle

Akatarawa Saddle
Akatarawa Road in 2005
Elevation	450 m (1,476 ft)
Traversed by	Akatarawa Road
Location	Wellington, North Island, New Zealand
Range	Tararua Range
Coordinates	40°56′54″S 175°6′30″E

Akatarawa Saddle is a 450 m above sea level mountain pass in the Wellington Region on the North Island of New Zealand. It is traversed by the Akatarawa Road which passes the southern part of the Tararua Range from Upper Hutt southeast to Waikanae northwest. The Akatarawa River flows south into the Hutt River ending in the Cook Strait while waters north of the saddle lead to the Tasman Sea.[1][2]

About 1911 surveys were made in the hope of finding a railway route between Upper Hutt and Waikanae,[3] but a lengthy tunnel would have been needed,[4] though the route was claimed to be about 5 mi (8.0 km) shorter than the North Island Main Trunk.[5] Shortages of concrete delayed completion of the road,[6] though it was drivable in 1922[7] and bridges were completed in 1923.[8]

See also

• Akatarawa Valley

References

1. "Topographic map". NZTopoMap. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
2. "New Zealand Gazetteer". Retrieved 1 December 2022.
3. "M.P.s', Queries, HOROWHENUA CHRONICLE". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 20 October 1911. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
4. "WAIKANAE – AKATARAWA. EVENING POST". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 21 June 1916. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
5. "RAILWAY SERVICES. HUTT VALLEY INDEPENDENT". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 23 September 1911. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
6. "Hutt-Waikanae Road. HOROWHENUA CHRONICLE". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 28 January 1921. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
7. "OUR NEW ROAD. EVENING POST". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 28 October 1922. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
8. "PROGRESS ON ROAD WORKS. EVENING POST". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 7 March 1923. Retrieved 16 April 2021.