Towns

Murupara

Before it was a timber town, Murupara was a staging post on the road between Rotorua and Napier. In the early 1900s, planting of the huge Kaingaroa Forest began. At 2900 square kilometres, Kaingaroa is the largest plantation forest in the southern hemisphere. Murupara has a predominately Maori population; with four marae in the area, it’s a good place to learn about the Maori way of life. The town is handy to the Te Urewera National Park and Whirinaki Forest Park – both offer exceptional wilderness hiking, hunting and fishing opportunities. Guides are available.
Functional facts: Approx. population 1960, limited accommodation, limited shops and services.