The Waioeka Journey (Opotiki, BOP) Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Geckoh: Fresh out of monkeys, will be back with another plan soon.

More
Hidden : 6/24/2011
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

The Waioeka Journey


Take the journey!!

The Waioeka Journey – Te Awa a Tamatea is situated on State Highway 2 between Opotiki and Gisborne. The highway follows a route carved by rivers through the steep forested hills of the Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve.
This beautiful area has challenged people since early Maori travelled and lived in the gorge. In recent years the challenge of travelling in the gorge has resulted in high numbers of road accidents.
‘The Waioeka Journey – Te Awa a Tamatea’, is a multi-agency project aimed at increasing road safety, providing rest stops where drivers can take a break and discover some of the stories of the gorge. The two main agencies involved have been the NZ Transport Agency and the Department of Conservation. They have worked in conjunction with NZ Police, Environment Bay of Plenty, Accident Compensation Corporation, Opotiki and Gisborne District Councils, NZ Fire Service and local iwi, Ngati Ira o Waioweka and Te Aitanga a Mahaki.
Since 2004, a combination of engineering improvements, signage upgrades, enhanced police enforcement and education initiatives, including ‘Drive Reviver’ campaigns, have been instigated to improve driver safety.
Seven rest areas have been established at sites through the gorge to encourage travellers to stop, rest and reduce driver fatigue, a significant contributor to Waioeka vehicle accidents. Information panels at each site tell of the history, culture, geology, and ecology of the gorge.

Kia ora and welcome to the Waioeka Gorge… beautiful, evocative, with many stories to tell.

There is more than one name for the gorge. For some this area is known as Waioweka, but at present the official name is Waioeka.
On this journey – at Tauranga, Goldsmiths, Oponae, The Monument, Manganuku, Opato and at Matahanea, you can discover stories about this unique place.
Some of these originate with Tamatea, legendary navigator and explorer. Tamatea journeyed here leaving a legacy of tales and place-names. They include Te Rotonui Awai, a small lake created by the footprint of Tamatea, “a place where eels with many tails are to be found”. He is said to have stamped his feet, creating a pool of water which he used to quench the thirst of his daughter.
The gorge cuts through ranges of steep-sided hills rising from 400 metres near the coast to 1000 metres inland. The hard yet brittle greywacke has been showered with volcanic ash and pumice over thousands of years. Vegetation includes canopies of tawa, rimu, miro, totara and nikau palms, together with cover of fern, manuka and kanuka.
By the late 20th century, the government progressively added retired farmland to the Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve to protect water catchments. Regenerating bush helped reduce erosion, improve water quality and protect the Opotiki plains from flooding. Today, anglers, kayakers, trampers, hunters and walkers appreciate the recreational opportunities of the area.
The land is steep, the soil poor – a hard going place for the early settlers and travellers. A place with tales of hardship, ingenuity and adaptation – and the response of the landscape to the impact of man.

P.S Please bring your own writing stick as cache does not contain one

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre gur Gur

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


Advertising with Us