Manutuke can be explored through two very different subjects: the history of the wharenui at Manutūkē Marae and a wine tour that must be booked in advance. One offers a glimpse into the history of a meeting house and memorial hall; the other combines a winery and vineyards with tastings from tanks and barrels. If you are looking for accommodation in Manutuke, you can first decide whether cultural history or a scheduled winery visit will shape your stay. The wider destination of the Gisborne District adds further context in terms of landscape and trails.
Wharenui, history and remembrance
The wharenui Te Poho o Rukupō at Manutūkē Marae is one of the oldest meeting houses in Tāranga. In the 1980s, it underwent extensive restoration under the direction of Cliff Whiting. The history of the wharenui Te Poho o Hinehou adds another historical layer: shortly before the First World War, it was moved to Manutuke Marae and converted into a dining hall. During or immediately after the Second World War, the building was renamed Maori Battalion Hall and became the focus of Rongowhakaata’s Anzac Day commemorations. The history of an old meeting house thus sits alongside the later repurposing of another wharenui.
Three rolls of honour are displayed in the Maori Battalion Hall. The First World War roll of honour, “Rarangi Onga Hoia Maori O Te Ropu O Turanga,” lists 13 Māori soldiers from the Gisborne area who died in service, as well as 89 soldiers who served. The Second World War roll of honour, “Te Rarangi Ingoa Hoia Te Ropu O Manutuke,” names nine soldiers from the Manutuke area who died in service and 48 soldiers who served. The fallen are therefore associated with different places: Gisborne on the first roll of honour, and Manutuke on the second. The numbers of soldiers who served are listed separately for each.
Wine tour by prior arrangement
Wrights Vineyard and Winery offers a tour of the winery and vineyards at its Cellar Door in Manutuke, including tastings from tanks and barrels. Advance booking is required, so plan the tour as an activity to arrange ahead rather than a spontaneous stop. The winery and café are located in the Manutuke Appellation – Coastal Vineyard. The local wine connection is reflected both in the appellation’s name and in the tour on offer.
Landscape and trails in the Gisborne District
In the wider destination of the Gisborne District, Gray's Bush Scenic Reserve has a marked, wheelchair-accessible loop trail that takes 15 to 20 minutes. The reserve preserves the only remaining example on the Gisborne Plains of the nationally rare kahikatea-puriri forest type. Kererū find habitat there; the rare North Island kākā visits the area seasonally, but sightings are not guaranteed. Check trail conditions and accessibility again before visiting.
The Rere Falls Trail in the Gisborne District requires considerably more time: the route is 103 kilometres long and described as a Grade 3 ride taking one to three days. It connects with the Motu Trails; check trail conditions before setting out. The range of trails at Eastwoodhill Arboretum in the Gisborne District is also broad, from flat, tree-lined paths to a steep climb up Mt Arateitei, with views of the arboretum and the surrounding landscape. These regional examples vary in duration and terrain, complementing the local focus on marae history and wine.
For the wider trip overview: Gisborne.
