Haakarimata Koorero

Discover the cultural heritage associated to the Haakarimata Ranges as you take up the challenge of the Haakarimata Summit Track.

Along the track, encounter people of the land sharing personal insights and connections to the Haakarimata.

Hear how the Haakarimata got its name through a heart-warming love story between heroes. Explore a medicine chest of natural flora and fauna particular to the area.

Download the app before walking the Haakarimata Summit track. Once there, use earphones or listening devices to begin the experience. Ensure phone is fully charged and close all other applications as our app has a lot of stories to tell.

The application promotes the care of natural resources and raises awareness of the cultural heritage of the track. It is a tool to encourage health and fitness, whilst also educating users about the track. All of these are integral parts of the past, present and future of the people of Waikato-Tainui.

Maa taatou e tiaki, e manaaki


Waikato-Tainui is one of the largest indigenous tribal groups of Aotearoa, New Zealand. The land, rivers, lakes and waterways located within the tribes’ geographical boundaries are living embodiments of their tribal identity. Everything flows from New Zealand’s longest River that the tribe takes its name – Waikato.

Story-telling is a key traditional method for the passing on customs, history and knowledge through the generations to keep a legacy alive for the generations to come. Traditional story-telling also serves as a way to transmit cultural values and language to the next generation.

This application fuses technology and traditional story-telling together with environmental guardianship and health and wellbeing about the Tribe’s most recognisable feature. Located 10 kilometres north-west of Hamilton, near Ngaaruawaahia, the Haakarimata Scenic Reserve includes 1850 hectares of lush native forest which is protected.

The walkway passes through mixed podocarp forest of Rimu, Rata, Rewarewa and Tawa trees. It adjoins other tracks in the area, including the Kauri Loop Track, at its northern end, which provides an opportunity for walkers to venture past an old Maaori paa site to a grove of Kauri trees.

The Haakarimata Summit Track which the application is based on, is a track that comprises of a 1349 step staircase to the summit at 374 metres. Upon conquering the uphill climb people will enjoy breath-taking views, across the Waikato Basin and down to Mount Ruapehu in central North Island.