Pukehina & Maketu

Sunday 31st August - sorry, cancelled due to forecast 35knot winds, rain and 3.5m swell!

A local paddle just down the coast, exploring the rivers, estuaries and coastline of this area. Maketu is a historical place with a cultural heritage. It is located on Okurei point and has an estuary from which the Kaituna River used to flow out of, it is also adjacent to Newdicks Beach located on the south eastern side of Okurei point.

Maketu was the traditional landing site of the Te Arawa canoe. Maketu is named after an ancient kumara (sweet potato) pit in Hawaiki, the mythical place where, according to Mâori oral tradition, the Mâori sailed from

Trip Plan

The general plan is to paddle from Pukehina, out along Okurei Point by Newdicks Beach and round along the coast to the Kaituna where we'll stop for lunch on the beach before heading back and exploring the Maketu Estuary and back round to Pukehina and the Waihi Estuary. We'll cover around 10-12km and will be off the water by 4pm at the latest. Suitable for confident beginners.

Meet at the end far end of Pukehina Parade by the toilets at 10am.

This trip will rely on low swell so fingers crossed it'll be good on the day, otherwise we'll orangise an alternative trip in Tauranga Harbour or on one of the Rotorua Lakes