Makahu, named after the white hawk was settled in 1896.
The first road to Makahu, heading east from Stratford towards Strathmore, climbed over a large hill. Nothing more than a pack track, in 1902 it was widened to become a dray road and a bridge was put in over the Mangaehu River.
A few years later when the Makahu Co-op Dairy factory began producing butter it was then time to make access better so as to get produce out.
In 1907 after using pick, shovel and explosives the Makahu tunnel was opened. Though people protested that it was to near the top of the hill to make it worthwhile, most were pleased when the 160 metre cut had shortened the road by more than 3 kilometres.
The tunnel was supported by an interesting construction of wood and lined with timber which eventually rotted at the Makahu end collapsing in 1919.
It was then lined with concrete in the form of pillars. Still in use today, strong walled and perfectly shaped, the Makahu tunnel is a great feature on the road Stratford to Strathmore and worth a detour to see.
On the southern end there is a heritage trail sign part of the SH43 trail. It’s worth taking time to read as it will add more to what is written here. See if you can spot where the old track is they talk about on the sign.