This Geocache is placed at a rarely used entry point to ‘The Base’ Shopping centre. From my reckoning it is position on what use to be the boundary between The Te Rapa Air Force Base and Te Rapa School.
The 29 hectare block of land that The Base sits on traditionally belonged to Waikato-Tainui. It was taken prior to World War II by the Crown under the Public Works Act for defence purposes, and became the Te Rapa Air Force Base (hence the name), which eventually closed in 1992. Te Rapa Air force Base was a major Air Force stores depot.
The land came back to the tribe in 1995 as part of the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu settlement. It was put into what is known as Pootatau Te Wherowhero title (named after the first Maori King), which means it can never be sold or alienated.
Adjacent to the Air Force Base was the original site of Te Rapa Primary School which started its life as a single classroom block in 1906 and has served, until recent years, a largely rural sector of the community. It was relocated from State Highway 1 to its present site on Ashurst Avenue in October 1997.
As a past pupil of the school when it was on its original site I have fond memories of the area. My mother actually designed the schools symbol, which they still use to this day.
Some may recall the iconic plane that was on display for many years outside the old Air Force Base.
