Kopurererua Valley

ACT will provide Tauranga City Council with a virtual self-guided cultural experience that utilises our proximity based cultural content delivery platform. The Virtual Cultural Guide will encompass up to 5 points of interest (POI) that encapsulate cultural stories and histories about Kopurererua Valley, accessed through ACT’s custom developed mobile device software.

Kopurererua Valley Reserve, or K Valley, is one of Tauranga’s largest reserves and provides a variety of different experiences, from farmland to native bush land and ponds. Kopurererua Valley is a 300-hectare block of low lying rural land situated between residential neighbourhoods in Tauranga. Running from Judea in the north to Tauriko in the south, the valley is bordered by the neighbourhoods of Te Reti, Gate Pa, Greerton, Westridge and Cambridge Heights.

This valley is within the rohe, boundaries, of Ngāi Tamarawaho. Ngāi Tamarawaho are direct descendants of those who arrived aboard the Takitimu waka in the 11th century. The Kopurererua river winding throughout the valley, extending up and through the new Lakes district, has its beginnings in the Mamaku ranges between the beautiful Puwhenua and prestigious Otanewainuku maunga. It empties out into Waikareao Estuary, the food basket of the Ngāi Tamarawaho people. Dotted throughout the valley are remains of pā and other archaeological sites such as middens which detail the occupation of the valley by Ngāi Tamarawaho. One Pā that was situated in the lower valley by the current express route was called Puke Toromiro Pā, another within the valley was Orini Pā. This valley also served an important role as a retreat path for the now notorious battles of Te Ranga and Gate Pā.

ClientTauranga City CouncilServicesLocal councilYear2016Linkwww.tauranga.govt.nz