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Karitāne

Karitāne — was the name given to the mission establishment of the Rev. Mr. Creed, facing the bay, on a sandy terrace alongside the Maori village and the marae or green called Hau-te-kapakapa 1

Karitāne is a picturesque coastal settlement located at the mouth of the Waikouaiti River, some 40 minutes drive from central Dunedin, which has long been a favoured destination for day-trippers, holiday-makers & surfers.


It is home to around 400 residents and the base for Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki, with its marae on Coast Road.


Karitāne has a general store, with a café and petrol & diesel pumps. Commercial fishing boats still operate and a paua farm operates.


Karitāne beach is very popular with surfers, and the walk around the Huirawa Peninsula offers spectacular views and provides information about Maori settlement of the area.


The drive along the scenic route from Evansdale includes the lookout at Puketeraki with its spectacular view of the district.

Location

History

Karitāne was the location of a pre-European Māori kaik - an undefended village. 

The site of Huriawa Pa, a fortified Māori village sits in command above the coast. 

European sealers and whalers began to arrive as early as the 1820s and a whaling station was established at Karitāne in 1837.

The whaling station site was known as 'Waikouaiti', the namesake later becoming transferred to the present township of 'Waikouaiti' established by Johnny Jones as a farming settlement in 1840, on the north side of the estuary.

Destinations

The stunning Huriawa Peninsula is located at the northern end of Karitane beach.

The site of a historic fortified Māori pā, the site commands stunning views along the coast &  cliffs below. A dramatic landscape, it is invigorating to spend time reflecting on the sea cascading through the massive coastal blowholes which guarded access to the site from potential enemy.

The pā site is bordered by the Waikouaiti River mouth and vast Pacific Ocean on the other, sealing its defensive position. 

During the 18th century local chief Te Wera and his people withstood a six month siege at this site. 

The peninsula is owned by local iwi and the reserve is managed jointly by local Māori and the Department of Conservation.

Karitāne is also recognised as the holiday destination for Sir Truby King, Medical Superintendent of the nearby Seacliff Asylum, and founder of the Plunket Society & Karitane baby foods which was the staple of many a Kiwi child diet.

Kingscliff, the holiday house of Truby King remains at Karitāne as a private residence, currently not open to the public.