WORLD FAMOUS
Abel Tasman National Park is renowned for its world-famous coastal walking track, its golden sand beaches, unmodified estuaries, sculptured granite cliffs and mild climate.
It is a good place to visit at any time of year and during summer the park is particularly popular. It is easily accessible by either boat or walking from Kaiteriteri, Marahau, Totaranui or Wainui. The bays become dotted with sea kayaks, sailing boats and other water crafts.
Many people choose to stay in huts or campsites provided by the Department of Conservation (DOC) as they explore the Abel Tasman Track. The track hugs the coast, offering spectacular views as you reach the top of a ridge, then it’s back down to the next sheltered swimming and picnic spot.
Noticeable features are the golden sand beaches,the fascinating rocky outcrops (mainly granite but with a scattering of limestone and marble), the estuaries and the offshore islands. The vegetation cover varies and reflects a history of fires and land clearance, but the forests are regenerating well, especially in damp gullies where a rich variety of plants can be found.
Black Beech/Tawhai dominates the drier ridges. The more common forest birds, like Tui and Bellbirds/Korimako, can be seen along with Pukeko around the estuaries and wetlands. Oystercatchers/Torea, Cormorants)/Koau and Little Blue Penguins/Korora can be seen on the coast.
THE PARK'S HISTORY
Mana whenua
Māori have had a long association with the Abel Tasman National Park dating back more than 600 years. Archeological evidence shows most occupation was seasonal, with iwi (tribes) living along the coast, gathering kaimoana (food from the sea) and growing kumara on suitable sites.
The first known iwi were the Ngai Tara who came from the Wellington area. Around 1600A.D, Ngāti Tumatakokiri arrived from the Marlborough Sounds and gradually spread as far as Karamea. The people of Te Ātiawa and Ngāti Rārua also recognise the ancient people of Waitaha who tribal traditions say came to the area from their ancient homeland Hawaiki.
The region’s abundant food and proximity to the West Coast’s pounamu (greenstone) made it attractive to invading iwi and around 1800 Ngāti Tumatakokiri were conquered by Ngāti Apa from the North, Ngāti Kuia in the east, and Ngāi Tahu from the South.
In 1828 the Taranaki and Tainui tribes that were part of Te Rauparaha’s confederation swept through the region. The local tribes were almost completely destroyed with the area then settled by Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Rārua and Ngāti Tama.
Local iwi continue to have a strong relationship with the park as kaitiaki or guardians, working closely with Project Janszoon and DOC. Pou whenua are being erected at significant sites in the park to celebrate the stories of ancestors with links to the Abel Tasman and surrounding areas.
Most occupation was seasonal but some sites in Awaroa estuary were permanent.
The Ngati Tumatakokiri people were resident when, on 18 December 1642, the Dutch seafarer Abel Tasman anchored his two ships near Wainui in Mohua (Golden Bay). He lost four crew in a skirmish with the local people and sailed away without stepping on to the land.
The Park’s History
The coast of the Abel Tasman National Park was not fully explored until French navigator Dumont d’Urville anchored here in 1827. Many of the places in the Abel Tasman National Park still bear the names given by him.
Later on, around 1855, European settlers began to log the forests, build ships, quarry granite and to farm in the region. For a time there was prosperity but soon the easy timber was gone and gorse and bracken invaded the hills. Little now remains of their enterprises.
The bulk of the Park was classed as a national park in 1942, 300 years after Abel Tasman first sighted New Zealand. As the momentum of turning the area into a national park gained, many of the landowners sold there holding back to the government. However, there are still areas within the boundaries of the national park that are privately owned, most notably Torrent Bay and Awaroa.
Environment & Community
Alongside growing a successful business Keith and Heather have made an impressive contribution to our local community. This includes contributing more than half a million dollars (as at October 2020) to the community as ‘in kind’ or donations, including raising more than $100,000 for Rotary. When people ask Keith why he does it he answers “because we can”.
Project Janszoon
Donations in kind to facilitate schools and students to carry out conservation work in the Abel Tasman National Park.
Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust
Donations in kind to transport volunteers into the Abel Tasman National Park by water taxi.
Charity Cruises
Money raised for the local community by running d’Urville Island Charity Cruises with the Rotary every year.
Schools and Conservation
Subsidise water taxi transport for school groups and students to the value of…