{{Short description|Mountain range in North Island of New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Moehau Range | image = Moehau Range from south of Amodeo Bay.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = Moehau Range from south of Amodeo Bay | map = | image_map = <mapframe width="250" height="250" latitude="-36.59" longitude="175.25" zoom="8" align="center"> [ {"type": "FeatureCollection", "features": [ { "type": "Feature", "properties": { "stroke-width":1, "stroke": "#ff0000", "fill": "#ff0000", "title": "Moehau Range" }, "geometry": { "type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [ [ [175.3286602,-36.4808301 ],[ 175.3293469,-36.4835906 ],[ 175.3267720,-36.4891112 ],[ 175.3284886,-36.4938034 ],[ 175.3295185,-36.4973914 ],[ 175.3281453,-36.5007032 ],[ 175.3307202,-36.5077404 ],[ 175.3375866,-36.5089822 ],[ 175.3429081,-36.5099480 ],[ 175.3406331,-36.5113277 ],[ 175.3377148,-36.5127074 ],[ 175.3277585,-36.5118796 ],[ 175.3269002,-36.5194676 ],[ 175.3286168,-36.5230544 ],[ 175.3313634,-36.5273307 ],[ 175.3344533,-36.5309171 ],[ 175.3363416,-36.5396066 ],[ 175.3426930,-36.5442958 ],[ 175.3437230,-36.5498121 ],[ 175.3455684,-36.5551556 ],[ 175.3494737,-36.5544316 ],[ 175.3545377,-36.5529837 ],[ 175.3595158,-36.5565690 ],[ 175.3644940,-36.5593267 ],[ 175.3699872,-36.5605677 ],[ 175.3792569,-36.5678751 ],[ 175.3857800,-36.5693917 ],[ 175.3892408,-36.5730647 ],[ 175.3979955,-36.5755461 ],[ 175.4064499,-36.5795439 ],[ 175.4092394,-36.5845063 ],[ 175.4165350,-36.5883657 ],[ 175.4251180,-36.5831279 ],[ 175.4395376,-36.5805088 ],[ 175.4412542,-36.5849198 ],[ 175.4373060,-36.5893305 ],[ 175.4426275,-36.5958084 ],[ 175.4469190,-36.6035259 ],[ 175.4477773,-36.6132406 ],[ 175.4565321,-36.6149630 ],[ 175.4611669,-36.5992538 ],[ 175.4670034,-36.5905710 ],[ 175.4709516,-36.5835414 ],[ 175.4685484,-36.5740297 ],[ 175.4663168,-36.5696181 ],[ 175.4731832,-36.5645168 ],[ 175.4719816,-36.5595531 ],[ 175.4651151,-36.5561059 ],[ 175.4589353,-36.5530723 ],[ 175.4616819,-36.5475562 ],[ 175.4684625,-36.5468667 ],[ 175.4728399,-36.5403847 ],[ 175.4718099,-36.5304539 ],[ 175.4658876,-36.5283159 ],[ 175.4640852,-36.5234188 ],[ 175.4617677,-36.5284538 ],[ 175.4570471,-36.5276951 ],[ 175.4561887,-36.5217634 ],[ 175.4508930,-36.5154008 ],[ 175.4452282,-36.5101580 ],[ 175.4435116,-36.5057428 ],[ 175.4375034,-36.5033970 ],[ 175.4308086,-36.5080884 ],[ 175.4254871,-36.5115377 ],[ 175.4222256,-36.5122276 ],[ 175.4208523,-36.5089162 ],[ 175.4238563,-36.5061567 ],[ 175.4232555,-36.5018792 ],[ 175.4196506,-36.5004993 ],[ 175.4184490,-36.4970495 ],[ 175.4254871,-36.4978774 ],[ 175.4225689,-36.4940135 ],[ 175.4150158,-36.4916674 ],[ 175.4110676,-36.4890453 ],[ 175.4091793,-36.4821444 ],[ 175.4052196,-36.4817119 ],[ 175.4005847,-36.4808837 ],[ 175.3952632,-36.4803316 ],[ 175.3921733,-36.4880607 ],[ 175.3913150,-36.4964790 ],[ 175.3880535,-36.5022747 ],[ 175.3832469,-36.5055863 ],[ 175.3835903,-36.5159342 ],[ 175.3779254,-36.5182796 ],[ 175.3695140,-36.5196591 ],[ 175.3691707,-36.5126230 ],[ 175.3684841,-36.5042065 ],[ 175.3556095,-36.4982730 ],[ 175.3485713,-36.4928910 ],[ 175.3413616,-36.4879227 ],[ 175.3384433,-36.4854384 ],[ 175.3329502,-36.4840583 ],[ 175.3310619,-36.4822640 ],[ 175.3303752,-36.4808837 ],[ 175.3286602,-36.4808301] ] ] } } ] } ] </mapframe> | map_alt = | map_caption = Approximate extent of Moehau Range | map_relief = | map_size = | location = | label = | label_position = | elevation = | elevation_m = 892 | elevation_ref = | coordinates = {{coord|-36.54015|175.40215|region:NZ_type:mountain_source:GNS-enwiki|display=inline, title}} | coordinates_ref = | topo = | type = mixed sedimentary greywacke with some plutonic and andestic formations | age = [[Jurassic]]/[[Cretaceous]], about 150 million years ago | geology = Predominantly [[Stratigraphy of New Zealand#Basement rocks (Austral Superprovince)|Manaia Hill Group]] [[Greywacke|greywackeˌ]] [[sandstone]]s and [[siltstone]]s (Waipapa terrane) | volcanic_arc = [[Coromandel Volcanic Zone]] | volcanic_belt = | volcanic_field = | volcanic_arc/belt = | last_eruption = ~ 15 million years ago | first_ascent = | easiest_route = | normal_route = | access = | child = | embedded = }} The '''Moehau Range''' is the northernmost range on the [[Coromandel Peninsula]], extending from the settlement of [[Colville, New Zealand]] northwards to the tip of the peninsula. Mount Moehau is the highest point of the range, at 892m above [[sea level]].
==Physical geography== The Moehau Range is the central feature of the Colville Ecological District. [[Environment Waikato]]'s local area planting guide describes the area as "long ridges and steep streams radiating out to the coast, steep and broken hillslopes, floodplains, harbours and estuaries." The Colville Ecological District takes in {{convert|77201|ha}}, 59% of which is in indigenous vegetation, and 8% of which is virgin forest.<ref>Environment Waikato, [http://www.ew.govt.nz/enviroinfo/land/biodiversity/plantingguides/documents/coromandel1.pdf What to Plant in Coromandel Ecological Region] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927215106/http://www.ew.govt.nz/enviroinfo/land/biodiversity/plantingguides/documents/coromandel1.pdf |date=2007-09-27 }}</ref> To the south the range is drained by [[Waikawau River (Thames-Coromandel District)|Waikawau River]].
=== Geology === Most of the range is made up of [[Metamorphic rock|metamorphic]], [[Prehnite-pumpellyite facies|prehnite-pumpellyite]] [[Stratigraphy of New Zealand#Basement rocks (Austral Superprovince)|Manaia Hill Group]] [[Greywacke|greywackeˌ]] [[sandstone]]s and [[siltstone]]s (Waipapa terrane) of [[Jurassic]]/[[Cretaceous]] age, formed about 150 million years ago. They have few fossils,<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Subdivision and petrology of the Mesozoic rocks of Coromandel (Manaia Hill Group)|journal=New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics|volume=15|issue=2|pages=203–227|last=D. N. B. Skinner|date=1972|doi=10.1080/00288306.1972.10421955|doi-access=}}</ref> but are [[Interbedding|interbedded]] with feldspar-lithic volcanic sandstone, siltstone and mudstone/argillite, with minor conglomerate and coarse sandstone.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://data.gns.cri.nz/geology/|title=GNS Science - Geology Web Map Client|website=data.gns.cri.nz|access-date=2019-11-16}}</ref> To the south west of the range the Paritu [[Pluton]] is exposed. It consists of 17 million year old mid [[Miocene]] [[Subvolcanic rock|sub-volcanic]] intrusions, including [[hornblende]]-[[pyroxene]] [[granodiorite]], pyroxene-hornblende [[quartz]] [[diorite]] and [[biotite]]-pyroxene.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Miocene intrusive Rocks of Moehau Range, Coromandel|journal=Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand|volume=5|issue=3|pages=329–351|last=D. N. B. Skinner|date=1975|doi=10.1080/03036758.1975.10421854}}</ref> Several dikes of [[andesite]] [[Porphyry (geology)|porphyry]] and quartz porphyry were intruded into the Manaia Hill rocks around 15 million years ago.<ref name=":0" />
==== 'Granite' quarries ==== Coromandel granite was first advertised in 1900.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19000228.2.64.7|title=Auckland Star|date=28 February 1900|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2019-11-16}}</ref> It has been quarried in the plutonic area, on the coast between Port Jackson and Waiaro, at Paritu quarry,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mapspast.org.nz/?zoom=14&x=1810240&y=5954648&layerid=NZMS1%201959|title=MapsPast {{!}} Current and historical topographic maps (topomaps) of New Zealand|website=mapspast.org.nz|access-date=2019-11-16}}</ref> The quarry was taken over by the Coromandel Granite Company<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/waikato-times/20150420/281861527039301|title=Memory Boxes|date=20 April 2015|via=PressReader|access-date=2019-11-16}}</ref> in 1918, when a wharf was built about a kilometre to the south.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.tcdc.govt.nz/store/default/3716892|title=TCDC District Plan Appendix 3 Historic Heritage|date=2015|website=Thames Coromandel DC}}</ref> Although called granite, it is a [[quartz diorite]] rock. It has been used for many monuments and buildings, including [[Parliament House, Wellington|Parliament House]], [[Britomart Transport Centre|Auckland Chief Post Office]], [[Auckland War Memorial Museum]], [[Auckland Ferry Terminal]] and [[The Strand Station|Auckland Railway Station]]. Quarrying ended in the 1960s, though in the early 1990s Moehau quarry was reopened for the refurbishment of Parliament House.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecoromandel.com/explore/listing/paritu-stone-wharves|title=Paritu Stone Wharves|website=The Coromandel|access-date=2019-11-16}}</ref>
== Demographics == The area is sparsely populated. In the area north of Port Charles Road, which includes the whole of the range, the 2013 population was only 129, living in 63 houses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/StatsMaps/Home/People%20and%20households/2013-census-quickstats-about-a-place-map.aspx|title=2013 Census map – QuickStats about a place|website=archive.stats.govt.nz|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref> However, it is part of [[Te Rerenga]] census area, where are 2,028 dwellings were occupied, but 3,897 unoccupied.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-about-a-place.aspx|title=2013 Census QuickStats about a place|website=archive.stats.govt.nz|language=en-nz|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref>
The main settlements are Port Jackson<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz9210/Port-Jackson/|title=Port Jackson, Waikato|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref> and Port Charles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz9226/Port-Charles/|title=Port Charles, Waikato|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref>
=== Port Jackson === [[Port Jackson, New Zealand|Port Jackson]] is a bay on the north coast, just south of [[Cape Colville]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz9210/Port-Jackson/|title=Port Jackson, Waikato|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en|access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref>
=== Port Charles === [[James Cook|Cook]] named Port Charles as he sailed by on 17 November 1769.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thetreasury.org.nz/Cook/cook.htm|title=THE TREASURY James Cook|website=thetreasury.org.nz|access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref> A sawmill opened in 1865 and closed in 1890,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thetreasury.org.nz/Sawmilling/sawmilling.htm|title=THE TREASURY Sawmilling|website=thetreasury.org.nz|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> later belonging to the [[Kauri Timber Company|Auckland Timber Co]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18830827.2.31|title=NEW ZEALAND TIMBER INDUSTRY. AUCKLAND STAR|date=27 August 1883|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> and with a tramway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/364419|title=Showing forestry workers grouped on and around a bush locomotive near Port Charles|website=Kura Heritage Collections Online (Auckland COuncil Libraries)|access-date=2025-04-17}}</ref> The population was 67 in 1901.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1901-census/1901-results-census/1901-results-census.html|title=1901 census results|website=StatsNZ}}</ref> [[Northern Steamship Company|Northern Steamship Co]]. vessels used to call at Port Charles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19020712.2.13.6|title=NORTHERN S.S. CO.'S MOVEMENTS. AUCKLAND STAR|date=12 July 1902|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> The road from Colville opened in 1928.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19280403.2.151|title=Coromandel Peninsula. Auckland Star|date=3 April 1928|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> A volunteer fire fighting group is based locally.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/111263-port-charless-new-smoke-chaser.html|title=Port Charles's new 'smoke chaser'|website=sunlive.co.nz|language=en|access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref> There were severe floods in 1950<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hwe.niwa.co.nz/event/May_1950_Waikato_Flooding|title=May 1950 Waikato Flooding|website=hwe.niwa.co.nz|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> 2002 and 2016,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/whats-happening/news/media-releases-archived/heavy-rains-highlight-losses-but-also-wins/|title=Heavy rains highlight losses but also wins|date=April 2016|website=waikatoregion.govt.nz|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> the 1950 flood moving the school off its foundations, bringing about its closure<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://natlib-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=NLNZ&docid=INNZ7129938700002837&context=L&search_scope=INNZ|title=The little Port Charles School|website=natlib-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> and 2002 flooding 23 homes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hwe.niwa.co.nz/event/June_2002_Upper_North_Island_Weather_Bomb|title=2002 Upper North Island Weather Bomb|website=hwe.niwa.co.nz|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> The beach is also being eroded.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/Global/1_Your%20Council/_2014%20Standing%20Committee%20Order%20Papers%20and%20Minutes/District%20Plan%20Hearings%20Panel/Technical%20report%201%20-%20Primary%20Development%20Setback%20review.pdf|title=Review of Primary Development Setback at Selected Beaches|last=Dahm|first=Jim|date=October 2009|website=Thames Coromandel District Council}}</ref>
== History == Mt Moehau is sacred to the [[Marutūāhu]] tribes of [[Māori people|Māori]]. Many important chiefs, including [[Tama-te-kapua]] of Te Arawa, are buried on its summit. The full name of the mountain is Te Moengahau-o-Tamatekapua (the windy sleeping place of Tamatekapua).<ref>{{cite web|title=Marutūahu tribes - Origins |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/744/mt-moehau |website=Te Ara : The Encyclopedia of New Zealand|accessdate=1 December 2014}}</ref>
== Folklore == Mt Moehau was reported by Māori to be the most sacred of the mountains of the [[Patupaiarehe]] (or tūrehu, karitehe or kōrakorako),<ref>{{Cite news|last=Homer|first=Lloyd|publisher=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga|title=Moehau mountain, Coromandel|language=en|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/2400/moehau-mountain-coromandel|access-date=2021-07-09}}</ref> an elusive and mystical light-skinned mountain folk.<ref>[[George Grey|Grey, George]] (1849). ''A story of patupaiarehe [fairy-like people] on Moehau''. New Zealand: Manuscript number: GNZMMS 7.</ref>
==Biodiversity== The Moehau Range is considered one of New Zealand's six '[[biodiversity]] hot spots'. The Moehau peak contains a selection of indigenous vegetation that is unique for a North Island forest, and is home to [[Manoao|silver]] and [[pink pine]], [[kaikawaka]], [[sweet hutu]] (''[[Ascarina]]'' sp.) and [[Metrosideros umbellata|southern rātā]], and is the northern limit for many [[Montane|southern montane]] species such as [[Phyllocladus alpinus|mountain toatoa]] and [[pahautea|mountain cedar]] (pahautea). The range is also noteworthy for the rare native [[Archey's frog]] ''(Leiopelma archeyi)'', whose young hatch from eggs, bypassing the tadpole stage. Moehau is also home to the Moehau [[stag beetle]] (''[[Geodorcus]]'' sp.), the Moehau [[wētā]] (''[[Hemiandrus]]'' sp.) and a population of approximately 500 [[North Island brown kiwi|brown kiwi]].<ref>Ecotours: Wildlife: Bay of Plenty: [http://www.ecotours.co.nz/Brian/wildlife/bayofplenty/coromandel.htm Coromandel], accessed 28 May 2007</ref><ref>Environment Waikato, [http://www.ew.govt.nz/enviroinfo/land/biodiversity/plantingguides/documents/coromandel1.pdf What to Plant in Coromandel Ecological Region] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927215106/http://www.ew.govt.nz/enviroinfo/land/biodiversity/plantingguides/documents/coromandel1.pdf |date=2007-09-27 }}</ref>
The Moehau Environment Group [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928121253/http://www.meg.org.nz/index.html] works to protect and enhance the natural environment of the Northern Coromandel Peninsula.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.meg.org.nz/index.html |title=Moehau Environment Group website |access-date=2007-05-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928121253/http://www.meg.org.nz/index.html |archive-date=2007-09-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Thomas Everth, [http://www.te-software.co.nz/blog/fence.htm To Fence or not to Fence?: An opinion on the proposed Coromandel predator fence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070327181531/http://www.te-software.co.nz/blog/fence.htm |date=2007-03-27 }}</ref> In 2020 the group were given $400,000 to do [[Common brushtail possum in New Zealand|possum]], [[Mustelidae|mustelid]], rat and cat control on up to {{Convert|15000|ha||abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 July 2020|title=Council Helps Sustainability of Community Groups With $1.63m in Grants|url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2007/S00470/council-helps-sustainability-of-community-groups-with-163m-in-grants.htm|access-date=2020-07-24|website=scoop.co.nz}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Thames-Coromandel District}}
[[Category:Thames-Coromandel District]] [[Category:Mountain ranges of Waikato]]