Tongapōrutu

Just under an hour from New Plymouth, Tongapōrutu is home to one of New Zealand’s most spectacular and rapidly changing stretches of coastline. The area is best known for the iconic Three Sisters and Elephant Rock, accessed from Clifton Road around low tide. Originally four sea stacks, the Three Sisters have gradually been reshaped by erosion, while Elephant Rock has also changed dramatically over the years, losing its distinctive ‘trunk’. North of the river, unusual spherical boulders can also be found along the beach.

The local community has a hall, reserve, tennis courts and public toilets. For everyday amenities, including groceries, Mōkau is approximately 15 minutes north, while Urenui is around 25–30 minutes south, with New Plymouth providing a full range of retail and services.

History: “The Tongapōrutu river is seven miles from Puke-aruhe. Here, on the south bank stands Pa-tangata,* the great island pa of Taringa-kuri, and said to have been the scene of the treacherous murder of Rangi-hapainga, a Ngati-Maniapoto chieftainess of high rank; which was afterwards fully avenged at the taking of Tihi-manuka.