MANUKAU or MANAKAU?
It's funny what a difference one letter can make to a place name.
Most people will have heard of Manukau, a suburb of Greater Auckland with a population of 4,120. It is located 23 kilometres south of the Auckland CBD, and contains the Manukau City Centre business district. The second largest natural harbour in New Zealand has the same name.
But how many have heard of Manakau, a tiny rural settlement with a population of 500, situated 8 km north of Otaki and 12 km south of Levin? It is connected to both via State Highway 1. The settlement is situated 5 km from the Tasman Sea.
In 1886, Manakau became the first place to have a railway station on the newly completed Wellington-Manawatu railway line. The line is now part of the North Island Main Trunk line, but the station was closed in 1982. There is no shopping centre in the settlement, but the area is served by fruit and vegetable markets, a dairy, a cafe, and a garden centre. Public facilities include Manakau School which opened in 1888, and a bowling club.
The cache is a camoed Marmite jar. Please re-cover with foliage.