Rangituhi / Colonial Knob

Rangituhi / Colonial Knob
Colonial Knob
Rangituhi / Colonial Knob is located in New Zealand
Rangituhi / Colonial Knob
Rangituhi / Colonial Knob
Rangituhi / Colonial Knob is located in Wellington Region
Rangituhi / Colonial Knob
Rangituhi / Colonial Knob
Highest point
Elevation468 m (1,535 ft)
Coordinates41°09′13″S 174°48′14″E / 41.15361°S 174.80389°E / -41.15361; 174.80389[1]
Naming
Native nameRangituhi (Māori)
English translationsky glow
Geography
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWellington Region
DistrictPorirua

Rangituhi / Colonial Knob (Māori: [ɾaŋitʉhi]) is a large hill or mountain southwest of Porirua city and west of the northern Wellington suburb of Tawa. The peak's summit stands at 468 m (1,535 ft). Kapiti Island and Mana Island can be seen from the peak, and on a clear day the inland Kaikōura Ranges to the south and Mount Taranaki to the north may also be seen.[2][3]

Rangituhi / Colonial Knob was formed from part of a 30–40 million year old peneplain, that has since been raised by earthquakes and eroded.[2][4]

The hill is the location of the Rangituhi / Colonial Knob Scenic Reserve administered by the Department of Conservation, and Te Rāhui o Rangituhi and Spicer Botanical Park both administered by Porirua City Council. These reserves include a significant amount of the remaining native forest in the Tawa-Porirua Basin.[2][4]

The Rangituhi / Colonial Knob Walkway makes up part of the Te Araroa national walkway.[5]

View of Mana island from Rangituhi/Colonial Knob

Name

Early Māori named the peak Rangituhi, meaning 'sky glow', in reference to the apparent red glow of the hill during sunset.[1][2]

History

The Rangituhi / Colonial Knob Scenic Reserve contains two abandoned reservoirs which were built in the late 19th century in order to serve the Porirua Hospital. These reservoirs became redundant when the hospital was connected to the main Porirua City water supply.[4]

Proposed adventure park

Rangituhi / Colonial Knob is the proposed location for an adventure park to be called the 'Porirua Adventure Park', with plans going back to 2016. This includes proposals for mountain biking, zip lines, surf simulators, a gondola and cafes. The park was expected to open in late 2023,[6][7][8][9] with the developer saying the project may be rolled out in phases due to increased construction and logistic costs.[10] In mid 2023, the developer was seeking another $3m in funding before the project could proceed, and the revised opening date was Christmas 2024.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b "Rangituhi/Colonial Knob". New Zealand Gazetteer. Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Rangituhi/Colonial Knob Walk". Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Rangituhi / Colonial Knob Walkway". NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Colonial Knob Scenic Reserve" (PDF). Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Mt Rangituhi / Colonial Knob Walkway". Wellington Regional Trails. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Porirua Adventure Park – Resource Consent Decision". Porirua City Council. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Porirua Adventure Park – FAQs". Porirua City Council. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  8. ^ Maxwell, Joel. "Porirua adventure park applies for infrastructure funding as investors fizzle". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  9. ^ Williams, Katarina. "'Mum and dad' investors sought to help make Porirua Adventure Park's gondola a reality". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  10. ^ Wong, Justin (12 June 2022). "Porirua Adventure Park's attractions to be rolled out in phases as costs soar". Stuff. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  11. ^ Wong, Justin (8 July 2023). "Porirua Adventure Park still needs $3m to get shovels in the ground". www.thepost.co.nz. Retrieved 8 September 2023.