As you travel North along State Highway 1 from Bulls to Waiouru for years you would see an actual aeroplane on the side of the highway at the tiny township of Mangaweka. No more (see below), but this small community is still worth a visit as recommended by the 27 Favourite Points received when this was one of the geocaches on the The Tuia Matauranga Pokai Whenua GeoTour which was retired 01/Feb/2023. This is a replacement to that geocache.
Pull off SH1 into Kawakawa Street where the yellow AA sign indicates Historic Main Street and park.
This is a multi-cache exploring some of the history of Mangaweka, using signs, paintings and buildings around town.
The Final is at S 39° 48.ABC E 175° 47.XYZ where ...
Waypoint 1. A. The Langholm Hotel.
Painting of three musicians sitting on steps: number of letters in the name of stringed instrument
Originally established as a boarding-house in 1898, The Langholm was later converted into an hotel - the only licensed public house in Mangaweka. The Langholm was a large two-storeyed wooden building that also included stables and a detached billiard room.
The current building was built some 60-odd years ago, and is no longer a hotel but recently purchased as accommodation for a large gang of shearers working in this region.
Waypoint 2. B. The Bank of New Zealand building.
Window: number of letters in the name of the bird on the left side
Local folklore suggests the plans for this large, grand bank building got mixed up with the small non-descript bank building built in Taihape. Actually, it was expected Mangaweka would be the main town of the region with the railway reaching here in 1902. With businesses opening to support the population constructiing the railway, and the large viaducts nearby the population of Mangaweka was much larger than that of Taihape. By 1908 the population of Mangaweka had fallen dramatically below that of Taihape, but this impressive bank remains.
Waypoint 3. C. Painting.
Painting: number of hats multiplied by 3 minus 2
This painting is based on a self portrait of Karl Sim, a world famous art forger who was born in Mangaweka.
Karl Sim copied (forged) artwork by C. F. Goldie among others that were so realistic that Karl Sim works have ended up in prodigious art galleries and significant fine art auctions. He was undone by spelling errors and the quantity of old masters' art sold through his Foxton studio. In 1985 Karl Sim was found guilty on forty counts of forgery - the only New Zealander to do so. After his conviction Karl Feodor Sim legally changed his name to Carl Feodor Goldie so he could legitimately sign his forged Goldies as C. F. Goldie.
Every two years Mangaweka holds a Fakes and Forgeries Art Competition, where entrants submit an exact replica, a copy with a twist, a work "inspired by" or in the style of a famous artwork or artist. One of Sims famous paintings is a copy of C. F. Goldie's painting of Te Aho te Rangi Wharepu of Ngāti Mahuta substituting his own image for that of Te Aho te Rangi Wharepu. That image is depicted here.
Waypoint 4. Note this is Z. The School Memorial gateway.
The Great War Rolls of Honour: subtract the number of names on the left post Roll from the number on the right gatepost.
The Final is still a short distance away (but not as close as previously), in a private front yard, placed with the owner's permission. If they are about, take the opportunity to talk to them. Ask them about what's in their back yard.
Waypoint 5. X. The Coal & Wood building (painting).
Painting: number of black buttons on the proprietor's shirt
Coal and wood merchants were an essential business in the late 19th to mid-20th century as fuel for first, wood burning open cooking fires, and later for coal burning ranges. This business appears to have previously been C. L. Zimmerman's Mangaweka Steam Carriage Works. The steam carriage was an early variety of 'motor' car or bus in the early 20th century. Zimmermann's business was one of the largest coachbuilding, smithing and engineering establishments in the district. The premises were built in 1907, and comprised a large smithy (with two forges), an engineering shed, and the coach-building and repairing departments.
In the doorway is a painting of a man - perhaps it's Zimmerman.
Waypoint 6. Y. The Puha Palace building.
Painting: number of letters in the name on the truck minus 3
This building is famous in Aotearoa for two reasons - both artistic.
In 1971 artist Robin White and poet Sam Hunt made a road trip here to Mangaweka. She noticed a truck parked outside this boarding house and painted 'Mangaweka' two years later. Her painting shows the influence of the style of fellow artist Rita Angus.
Poet Sam Hunt recorded the visit in his poem 'A Mangaweka road song' performed in 1971.
Local folklore says Sam Hunt cruised through town once or twice and he won this boarding house, Puha Palace, in a game of pool.
On the side of the building there is a mash-up painting of Robin White artworks combining bits from 'Mangaweka', 'Morris Commercial, Hokianga' with Sam Hunt in the window, and 'This is me at Kaitangata'. Perhaps it was an entry in one of the Fakes & Forgeries competitions.
Previous Waypoint - The DC-3 plane that used to be a feature of Mangaweka.
May 2021: It was reported in the local newspaper the DC-3 that was the last waypoint, has been moved to Shannon for restoration and repairs after 35 years exposure to the elements.
Mitchell, P. (2021, May 6). Future of Mangaweka's iconic plane up in the air. Stuff.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300301138/future-of-mangawekas-iconic-plane-up-in-the-air
This plane was built in 1945; served in the US and NZ Air Forces; flew as a passenger plane for New Zealand National Airways Corporation (forerunner of Air NZ) and Fiji Airways; converted for agricultural topdressing, until finally withdrawn from service in 1981. About 1986 it was moved here to serve as a cafe and booking office for Mangaweka Adventures Company.
Accordingly there is a different Waypoint (now WP4).
The Final is a short distance away, in a private front yard, placed with the owner's permission. If they are about, take the opportunity to talk to them. Ask them about what's in their back yard.