PIKI KI RUNGA - The climb to the top of Marble Mountain
A representation of the taniwha
Te Ngarara huarau
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This our Summer/Autumn 2010 exhibition is open from 7 December 2009 - 11 June 2010.
Following on from our new local geology display the exhibition tells the story of the Takaka Hill/Marble Mountain. Starting from how limestone and marble was created, the story goes on to tell of Moa which once roamed the hill.
From there it is on to Maori legends especially the legend of the fearsome Te Ngarara Huarau, the lizard like taniwha (monster). Much of the hill is consider tapu by local Maori, the area of Canaan being one in particular.
Next are the early settlers and their struggles to cross the hill as opposed to going by sea - which at the time was an expensive way of travel. The way over started as a Maori walking track, then expanded to a bridle path and gradually over time to a proper road, though a tar sealed road wasn't completed until the 1950s.
The story of the road is one of hardship and challenges.
Hardship: for the road men (and their families) who, for many years, endeavoured to keep it open through snow, rain and the hot summer sun.
Challenge: to the road engineers to produce a safe and usable road.
Even today the maintenance is ongoing, with a major slip on the Takaka side a few years ago.
Also of note are the families who farmed the hill and those who remain today.
The hill is well known for its marble. One of the more well known uses of it was in the construction of the old Parliament buildings and later in the Beehive. Marble and lime is still being extracted today. Among other things it is used in the production of toothpaste and fertilizer.
Last but not least is notorious Harwood's Hole, at the top of the hill, a favourite haunt of cavers.
The karst landscape of the hill
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Looking across the hill towards Nelson
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