Porirua History

(with thanks to Wikipedia)

The name "Porirua" has a Māori origin: it may represent a variant of pari-rua ("two tides"), a reference to the two arms of the Porirua Harbour. In the 19th century the name designated a land-registration district that stretched from Kaiwharawhara (or Kaiwara) on the north-west shore of Wellington Harbour northwards to and around Porirua Harbour. The road climbing the hill from Kaiwharawhara towards Ngaio and Khandallah still bears the name "Old Porirua Road".

In the late 1940s state planning envisaged Porirua becoming a satellite city of Wellington with state housing. The name Porirua was first applied to a council in 1961 when Makara County, to the west of Wellington, was abolished, the mostly rural western part becoming the Makara Ward of Hutt County and the rapidly growing eastern urban portion (including Titahi Bay) becoming the Borough of Porirua. Four years later the population was officially estimated at over the 20,000 threshold then necessary for Porirua to be declared a city. Since then Porirua has grown to a city population approaching 51,000, with state housing no longer in the majority. Major territorial additions to the city occurred in 1973 and 1988 as part of the reduction and eventual abolition of Hutt County.

Porirua is largely formed around the arms of the Porirua Harbour and the coastline facing out to Cook Strait and the north-eastern parts of the South Island. Most of the populated areas of Porirua are coastal: Camborne, Karehana Bay, Mana, Onepoto, Papakowhai, Paremata, Pauatahanui, Plimmerton, Pukerua Bay, Takapuwahia, Titahi Bay and Whitby all have direct access to coastal parks and recreation reserves. Several suburbs without direct coastal access, including Aotea, Ascot Park and Ranui Heights, have substantial portions with good views over the harbour. Elsdon, formerly known as Prosser Block, lost access to the harbour as a result of reclamation work, especially during the 1960s. Much of the existing city centre, north of Parumoana Street and east of Titahi Bay Road, was built upon this landfill.

Elsdon

Elsdon is unquestionably the most industrial suburb of Porirua. Large numbers of businesses are located in Elsdon, most without store fronts. The feel is hands-on across the suburb, with the population mostly living in the surrounding hills at the foothills of Colonial Knob. At least three features stand out within the suburb, besides the industrial feel.

Camp Elsdon -

Camp Elsdon is a charitable incorporated society administering what was known as Elsdon Methodist Youth Camp which began in 1954. Many Kiwis across the country have fond memories of Camp Elsdon from their youth, and it remains popular today. In addition to the friendly miniature horses and ponies that graze on the front yard, the nearby carpark is one of several major access points to Colonial Knob and Porirua Scenic Reserve - and a gateway to all the caches up there.

Elsdon Park -

While probably technically within the neighbouring suburb of Takapuwahia, Elsdon Park is well known as one of the premiere sporting fields in the Wellington area, boasting an excellent cricket ground and one of only three professional grade hockey fields in the region. In addition to hosting the sports which go on year round, the park also hosts students from nearby Mana College and various city-wide events as well. It has often been the scene of fireworks and festivals.

Whittaker's Chocolate Factory -

The olfactory highlight of Porirua, with the scent of chocolate wafting on the wind, comes from the Whittaker's Chocolate Factory, tucked away out of sight right next to the cache. Established in 1896, the main headquarters and factory were moved to Porirua to have room to grow in 1969. This was well after the brand had become a household name across New Zealand, with its premium product, the Peanut Slab, having been introduced in the 1950s. The 250 gram block bars were introduced in the 1990s, and since 2012 Whittaker's has been voted "NZ's Most Trusted Brand" every single year. Since Cadbury was always owned by overseas interest (despite its strong connection to Dunedin), Whittaker's is indisputably the largest and most famous domestic chocolate manufacturer. And while it is great to have them here, it is (to my eyes) a tad disappointing that there is no factory tour available (probably to keep their trade secrets to themselves, although their website begs that they don't have room for a tour). They are in their third generation of family ownership, and the fourth generation is hard at work in the business as well.

The Cache

You will want to park at either Mohuia Crescent (lots of traffic during the work day) or on Hukatai Street (near a playground). The Whittaker's factory is on Mohuia Crescent. Stealth will be required at many times, so please be prepared to wait until the coast is clear.

You are looking for a camoflauged container that is too small to hold anything other than the log. Make sure you bring your own writing utensil. Online logs that do not match the logbook will be deleted unless previously arranged with the CO. General practice is to log your find online within two weeks of making the find in the field, unless otherwise arranged with the CO.

Also make sure that you note the code in the logbook, as you will need this for some of the caches later on in the series.