Kakahi, New Zealand

Kakahi (correctly, Kākahi) is a small King Country settlement about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) up the Whanganui River from Taumarunui, New Zealand. Founded as a sawmill town, it takes its name from the Māori word for the New Zealand freshwater mussel.

Kakahi can be reached from State Highway 4, and the North Island Main Trunk railway passes through it across a bridge over the Kakahi Stream. The Whanganui River and Whakapapa River meet about five kilometres to the east, about 1 km from the end of the Te Rena Road (an old logging tram line). Te Rena Road is notable for extensive colonies of glowworms along the sheer banks where the road cuts deeply through the hillside.

Kakahi has a long history of Māori settlement, and four fortified pā sites. In about the 15th century, Ngāti Hotu people were defeated here by Whanganui Māori in the battle of the five forts. A marae of the Ngāti Manunui hapū of Ngāti Tūwharetoa is located in the town; its whare tipuna, built in 1913, is called Taumaihiōrongo.

1862, February: James Coutts Crawford crosses the Whakapapa River and camps across from Terena.

20th century: Last century Kakahi was a King Country sawmill town, with four timber mills around the township, many tram lines for moving the timber (mainly totara). Kakahi also had three churches, one hotel (burned to the ground), one boarding house and a pool hall. It still has the active Kakahi Primary School (Photos), the Kakahi General Store (also a post office), and the Kakahi Hall (which has been restored to full function by the community).

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