# Wainui Bay

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Bay in Tasman Region, New Zealand

Wainui Bay Eastern side of Wainui Bay, on the Taupo Point track Wainui Bay Location of Wainui Bay in New Zealand Coordinates 40°48′S 172°56′E / 40.80°S 172.94°E / -40.80; 172.94 Part of Golden Bay / Mohua River sources Wainui River Ocean/sea sources Tasman Sea Sections/sub-basins Wainui Inlet

**Wainui Bay** is within [Golden Bay / Mohua](/source/Golden_Bay_%2F_Mohua), and at the south-eastern end of Golden Bay, in the [Tasman Region](/source/Tasman_Region) of the [South Island](/source/South_Island), New Zealand.

2km
1.2miles

Wainui Inlet

Whariwharangi Bay

Taupō Point

Uarau Point

Wainui Bay in [Golden Bay / Mohua](/source/Golden_Bay_%2F_Mohua)

Bordering the [Abel Tasman National Park](/source/Abel_Tasman_National_Park), it is approximately 24 kilometres (15 mi) north-east of [Tākaka](/source/T%C4%81kaka), the nearest town.[1][2] There are several [Department of Conservation](/source/Department_of_Conservation_(New_Zealand)) walking tracks that start in Wainui Bay, including the [Wainui Falls](/source/Wainui_Falls) track, the Taupō Point track, and other tracks leading into the Abel Tasman National Park.[2][3][4]

On 18 December 1642, the first known encounter between Māori and Europeans happened out in the bay, which resulted in several dead Dutch sailors and the surrounding area being named [Murderer's Bay](/source/Golden_Bay_%2F_Mohua).[5][6]

## Naming

Wainui is a [Māori language](/source/M%C4%81ori_language) term (*wai* meaning water, and *nui* meaning large, expansive). In other words, the name translates as big water.[7] The umbrella entity for the three local iwi gives a meaning of "where the tidal flow leaves a big expanse of bay empty".[8] It is one of many places named Wainui in New Zealand, for example, [Wainui](/source/Wainui), [Wainui Beach](/source/Wainui_Beach), Wainui in [Akaroa Harbour](/source/Akaroa_Harbour).

There are three plausible explanations for the name Taupō:

1. In the sixteenth century a chief, Tūmatakōkiri, migrated from [Lake Taupō](/source/Lake_Taup%C5%8D) to the [Cook Strait](/source/Cook_Strait) area, thus it is conceivable he brought the name with him [7]

1. The meaning of taupō is ‘a rough black and yellow cloak’, made from flax leaves, and also ‘a rust-coloured earth of stone’. This same pattern is seen on the rocks here [7][9]

1. And lastly, the place used to be spoken of as Taipo.[10] The [iwi](/source/Iwi) once revered a taipō, a many-scaled goblin, with the body of sea serpent and the head of a man [9] Although this is the least plausible name, because taipo is thought to be an 18th-century whaler's term for an evil spirit, and in the South Island Maori dialect the word for an evil spirit is atua [11]

## Local places

### Wainui Inlet

Wainui Inlet from the air

Wainui Inlet is the estuary of the Wainui River that flows into the bay.[12] It can be [walked across](/source/Abel_Tasman_Coast_Track#Whariwharangi_Bay_to_Wainui_Bay) within two hours either side of low tide.

### Uarau Point

Uarau Point is a prominent hill on the eastern shore of Wainui Bay.[7][9] In Māori legend, a taipō (goblin, evil spirit) named Ngārara-huarau, protected this place. It remains a spiritual area, and some local people feel uneasy walking past the cave where he lived.[7][9] According to legend, Ngārara-huarau dug caverns here.[7] Underground rumbles from falling rock and cascading water continue today, and it is a dangerous area to traverse owing to many [sinkholes](/source/Sinkhole).[7]

### Taupō Point

Taupō Point is a 49-metre-high (161 ft) limestone outcrop on the eastern side of Wainui Bay.[13] This steep, rounded, bush-clad knoll is linked to the granite mainland by a sandy [isthmus](/source/Isthmus). Four centuries ago, a [pā](/source/P%C4%81) stood there. Today, as then, it is a great lookout spot. Traces of trenches, terraces and cooking pits are now hidden under [mataī](/source/Prumnopitys_taxifolia), [tītoki](/source/Alectryon_excelsus), [nīkau](/source/Rhopalostylis_sapida) and [karaka](/source/Karaka_(tree)) trees.[5][9][14]

A few steps away, is a lonely curve of golden sand known as Whariwharangi Bay. [Abel Tasman](/source/Abel_Tasman_Monument) anchored his ships off here.[15][6]

Researchers into history debate whether or not [waka](/source/Waka_(canoe)) landing sites at Taupō Point are the oldest maritime structures in New Zealand.[16]

#### Māori activity at the time of Tasman's visit

This sign at Taupō Point depicts an engraving of an 1844 drawing by NZ Company surveyor John Barnicoat

At the time of Tasman’s bloody visit to [Aotearoa](/source/Aotearoa), the [Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri](/source/Ng%C4%81ti_T%C5%ABmatak%C5%8Dkiri) iwi maintained a [pā](/source/P%C4%81) and settlement on the eastern side of Wainui Bay at Taupō Point and nearby Whariwharangi Beach.[5][14] This is the closest site to where the Dutch voyager anchored, and it is most probably from here that waka and warriors paddled out to investigate his ships and intentions.[15][6][17]

A drawing by Tasman's artist, [Isaack Gilsemans](/source/Isaack_Gilsemans), depicts ten men rowing a double-hulled waka, with another man standing on the prow. All the men have topknot hairstyles.[6][18]

The settlement had houses were built low to the grounds, curved-roof cooking shelters, storage pits and high storage racks.[6] The bay and inlet teemed with fish and shellfish, and an edible [braken fern](/source/Pteridium_esculentum) grew on the hillside.[6]

A sign at Taupō Point, depicts the scene from 1844, with pā, palisades and waka landed on the beach, as drawn by surveyor John Barnicoat.[19] A proverb, or *whakataukī,* inscribed on the sign reads:

Taupo sleeps beneath the sun: where are the people of the past? Kei te noho a Taupō i raro i te rā; kei hea ngā tāngata whenua?'

Someone has scratched some graffiti underneath the *whakataukī*. It reads:

Ko hoki mai au... ete i o a mokopuna

Which may translate as "I will return... with some of my grandchildren."

#### New Zealand's oldest maritime archaeological structures?

Beach along the Taupō Point track

In 2015, historical researcher, Rosanne Hawarden, claimed that a high-resolution image of the Gilsemans's 1642 drawing reveals waka landing sites on the shore by Taupō Point.[20][21] In addition, Barnicoat's 1844 ink drawing of Taupō Point, shows waka on the same rocky beach, where large boulders have been shifted so waka could be hauled ashore.[19][21] These tauranga waka are still visible at low tide.[22]

On the other hand, a group of historians led by Abel Tasman expert Grahame Anderson, debunked Hawarden’s research, and called it "wishful thinking".[16]

#### Access

People arrive here on foot, or by boat, or kayak. The walk along the beach from Wainui Inlet to Taupō Point takes approximately 1 hour each way, and is best done at low tide.[14][23][24] At high tide, some scrambling and climbing is needed.[25] The track starts at the end of McShane Road, just past Wainui Inlet.[25]

## References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Wainui Bay](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Wainui_Bay).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Wainui Bay, Tasman – NZ Topo Map"](http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz44752/Wainui-Bay/Tasman). *NZ Topo Map*. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-DOC_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-DOC_2-1) ["Wainui Falls Track"](http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/abel-tasman-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/wainui-falls-track/). *doc.govt.nz*. Retrieved 9 January 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Wainui Bay Walks"](http://goldenbayhideaway.co.nz/attractions/wainui_bay). *goldenbayhideaway.co.nz*. Retrieved 7 December 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["NZ Walks Information: Taupo Point Track"](http://nzwalksinfo.co.nz/tracks/1267-taupo-point-track). *nzwalksinfo.co.nz*. Retrieved 7 December 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_5-2) ["First known encounter between Māori and Europeans"](https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/first-contact-between-maori-and-europeans). *nzhistory.govt.nz*. Retrieved 4 December 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:8_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:8_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:8_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:8_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:8_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:8_6-5) [Salmond, Anne](/source/Anne_Salmond) (2014). [*Two Worlds: First Meetings Between Maori and Europeans, 1642–1772*](https://christchurch.wheelers.co/title/9781927327951/epub). [Wellington](/source/Wellington): Bridget Williams Books and eBook BWB Texts: Turning Points. pp. 82–83. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781927327951](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781927327951).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:1_7-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:1_7-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:1_7-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-:1_7-6) Simpson, Philip (2018). *Down the Bay: a natural and cultural history of Abel Tasman National Park*. Nelson: [Potton & Burton](/source/Potton_%26_Burton). p. 214. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780947503932](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780947503932).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [*Mohua place names*](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mohua_place_names_79.jpg) (photo). Tasman District Library. Retrieved 6 August 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_9-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:2_9-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:2_9-4) Janszoon, Project (24 May 2016). ["It's all in a name – Taupo Point"](https://www.janszoon.org/news/its-all-in-a-name-taupo-point/). *Project Janszoon*. Retrieved 4 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Millar, J. Halket (2003) [1948]. *Beyond the Marbel Mountain: Tales of Early Golden Bay, Motueka and Nelson*. [Christchurch](/source/Christchurch): Cadsonbury Publications. p. 21. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1877151955](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1877151955).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Tikao, Teone Taare (2004) [1939]. Beattie, Herries (ed.). *Tikao Talks: traditions and tales told by Teone Taare Tikao to Herries Beattie* (Second, published 1990 ed.). [Christchurch](/source/Christchurch): [Reed Publishing](/source/Reed_Publishing). p. 77. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-877346-04-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-877346-04-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Gilsemans, Isaac :Vaertuig en Gedaente der inwoonders van Selandia Nova. P. 173 \[Amsterdam, 1705\]"](https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22608079). *natlib.govt.nz*. Retrieved 4 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["New Zealand Topographic Map"](https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap?v=2&ll=-40.78788,172.94888&z=15). *NZ Topo Map*. Retrieved 4 December 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_14-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:3_14-2) ["Wainui Bay Attractions & Activities in Golden Bay & Takaka New Zealand"](https://www.nelsontasman.nz/visit-nelson-tasman/plan-your-trip/activities/3340-wainui-bay). *NelsonTasman.NZ*. Retrieved 4 December 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_15-1) ["Abel Tasman in our history |"](https://goldenbaymuseum.org.nz/abel-tasman/historical-background/). Retrieved 5 December 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:5_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:5_16-1) ANDERSON, CHARLES (7 March 2015). ["New claim rejected by scholar"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/67081063/new-claim-rejected-by-scholar). *Stuff*. Retrieved 5 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["2012: AT370 | First Encounters–Abel Tasman 1642"](http://abeltasman.org.nz/events/2012-at370/). Retrieved 5 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Conflict at Murderers Bay"](https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/1407/conflict-at-murderers-bay). *Alexander Turnbull Library*. Retrieved 5 December 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:6_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:6_19-1) ["Messenger, Arthur Herbert 1877–1962 :Taupo, Massacre Bay. 1921 \[i.e 1844\]"](https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22892813?search%5Bi%5D%5Bplace_authority_id%5D=-320575&search%5Bpath%5D=items). *natlib.govt.nz*. Retrieved 5 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Rosanne Hawarden and Rudiger Mack (1 November 2014). ["A possible pre-Tasman canoe landing site, or 'tauranga waka', in Golden Bay, South Island, New Zealand"](https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/INFORMIT.808326742292178). *Informit*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:7_21-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:7_21-1) SCHOUTEN, HANK (17 February 2015). ["Golden Bay canoe site may be oldest structure"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/66323891/golden-bay-canoe-site-may-be-oldest-structure). *Stuff*. Retrieved 5 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Sea Kayaking the entire length of the Abel Tasman National Park"](https://www.goldenbaykayaks.co.nz/stories/2021/6/28/sea-kayaking-the-entire-length-of-the-abel-tasman-national-park). *Golden Bay Kayaks*. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Walks Around Northern Abel Tasman National Park"](https://goldenbayhideaway.co.nz/attractions/northern_abel_tasman_walks#taupo_point). *goldenbayhideaway.co.nz*. Retrieved 5 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** beatsmilking (1 March 2011). ["Wainui Bay / Taupo Point Route"](https://motorcamps.com/content/wainui-bay-taupo-point-route). *motorcamps.com*. Retrieved 5 December 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:9_25-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:9_25-1) Trafford, Ian (2004). *Day Walks of Nelson*. [Auckland](/source/Auckland): [Reed Publishing](/source/Reed_Publishing). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [079000979X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/079000979X).

v t e Abel Tasman National Park Bays and beaches Awaroa Inlet Golden Bay / Mohua Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere Tinline Bay Rākauroa / Torrent Bay Tōtaranui Wainui Bay Caves Harwoods Hole Islands Armchair Island Ballon Rock Fisherman Island Motuareronui / Adele Island Tata Islands Tonga Island Rivers Awapoto River Awaroa River Falls River Mārahau River Simonet Creek Torrent River Wainui River Wainui Falls Structures Abel Tasman Monument Walking tracks Abel Tasman Coast Track Abel Tasman Inland Track Related reserves Tonga Island Marine Reserve

v t e Tasman District, New Zealand Seat: Richmond Populated places Golden Bay / Mohua Aorere Bainham Clifton Collingwood East Tākaka Ferntown Ligar Bay Motupipi Onekaka Pākawau Parapara Patons Rock Pōhara Port Pūponga Pūponga Rockville Seaford Tākaka Tarakohe Tata Beach Upper Tākaka Waikato Waitapu Motueka Brooklyn Kaiteriteri Lower Moutere Mārahau Motueka Riwaka Moutere-Waimea Brightwater Bronte Dovedale Mahana Māpua Ngātīmoti Ruby Bay Tasman Upper Moutere Wakefield Woodstock Richmond Aniseed Valley Appleby Hope Richmond Lakes-Murchison Murchison Rotoroa Saint Arnaud Tapawera Tophouse Geographic features Buller River Dun Mountain–Maitai terrane Hope Saddle Lee River Mārahau River Maungakura / Red Hill Newton River Ngārua Caves Roding River Sams Creek Tākaka River Waimea Plains Waimea River Golden Bay / Mohua Appos Creek Archway Islands Cape Farewell Cobb Reservoir Druggans Dam Dry River Farewell Spit Harwoods Hole Lake Killarney Lightband Gully North-west Nelson Forest Park Rawhiti Cave Slateford Tākaka Hill Tata Islands Te Waikoropupū Springs Wainui Bay Whanganui Inlet Wharariki Beach Abel Tasman National Park Armchair Island Awapoto River Awaroa River Ballon Rock Falls River Fisherman Island Motuareronui / Adele Island Simonet Creek Torrent Bay Tata Islands Tinline Bay Tonga Island Torrent River Tōtaranui Wainui River Falls Tasman Bay Bell Island Best Island Moturoa / Rabbit Island Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock Waimea Inlet Kahurangi National Park Brown River Bulmer Cavern Ellis Basin cave system Kahurangi Point Lake Matiri Mount Arthur Mount Burnett Mount Owen Nettlebed Cave Wharepapa / Arthur Range Nelson Lakes National Park Braeburn Range Lake Rotoiti Lake Rotoroa Maniniaro / Angelus Peak Mount Franklin Pourangahau / Mount Robert Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake Rotopōhueroa / Lake Constance Sabine Valley Saint Arnaud Range Spenser Mountains Facilities and attractions Abel Tasman National Park Coast Track Inland Track Monument Appleby railway station Brightwater railway station Cobb Power Station Ferntown Bridge Gowanbridge railway station Heaphy Track Hope railway station Karamea Aerodrome Kawatiri railway station Langford Store Memorial Park Milnthorpe Model Motueka Aerodrome Moutere Inn Mussel Inn Nelson Lakes National Park Onekaka Ironworks Onekaka Power Station Onekaka Wharf and tramline Proposals for a road through North-west Nelson Pupu Hydro Power Scheme Richmond railway station RNZAF Dip Flat Rutherford memorial Stafford Place St Michael's Church Stoke railway station Tākaka Aerodrome Tākaka Pioneers' Memorial Takaka Tramway Great Taste Trail Tonga Island Marine Reserve Tophouse Tour de Vineyards Wai-iti Dark Sky Park Wangapeka Track Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve Wharariki Ecosanctuary Administration Historic Nelson Province (1853–1876) Collingwood County (1877–1956) Waimea County (1877–1989) Richmond Borough (1891–1989 · mayor) Motueka Borough (1900–1989) Takaka County (1904–1956) Murchison County (1909–1965) Golden Bay County (1956–1989) Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council (1989–1992) Current Council Mayor Organisations Golden Bay Air Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby Union New Zealand Energy Richmond Athletic FC Talley's Group Schools Collingwood Area School Golden Bay High School Motueka High School Waimea College Waimea Intermediate

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Wainui Bay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wainui_Bay) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wainui_Bay?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.