On Saturday, March 13 2021, Rangitāne organised a hīkoi ‘Te Pikinga ki Te Hau’ with around 19 whānau and friends taking up the opportunity. The route is a steady uphill climb, mainly on a 4WD track with a short 150 metre scramble to the trig at the top.
Te Hau is a 909m peak to the south of Blenheim located on private property at Tempello Station and is a significant maunga to Rangitāne.
The maunga celebrates Rangitāne tupuna, Te Hau, the grandfather of Kupe. It is said to represent the reclining nose of Te Hau as he gazes over the surrounding landscape. The summit has views to the south of the Awatere Valley to Te Karaka (Cape Campbell) and the north of the Wairau plain and valley. Kapara Te Hau (The Gardens of Te Hau), known as Lake Grassmere can also be seen from the peak.
Te Hau has one of the best-preserved areas of indigenous dry shrubland vegetation in Marlborough. Native vegetation includes a variety of dryland species, with silver tussock, Tauhinu, Mānuka and porcupine shrub among the species present. The terrain is steep, with low rainfall, and rocky outcrops near the summit.
Tempello Station owners Dave and Jo Grigg have committed to preserving and protecting the natural heritage of the area through the Tempello Bio-diversity Project.
