Murupara
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The town of Murupara is located in an isolated part of the North Island of New Zealand, between the Kaingaroa Forest and Te Urewera National Park, on the banks of the Rangitaiki River 65 kilometres southeast of Rotorua. Its principle industries are all forestry related.
Murupara is the terminus of the Murupara Branch railway.
Murupara - "To wipe off mud"
Many years ago, Murupara was a staging post on the road between Rotorua and Napier. In the early 1900s, the planting of exotic trees began on the surrounding scrubland. This area is now known as the Kaingaroa Forest - 1,400 square kilometres of planted pines. As the main service centre for the many forestry workers and their families, Murupara grew to a population over 3000. Recent changes to the forestry contracting system have brought about a decrease in the number of permanent residents, but Murupara remains a well serviced township with a strong community spirit. Galatea, Horomanga, Kopuriki, Aniwhenua, Waiohau and Murupara nestle between the boundary of the Kaingaroa Forest, beautiful Te Urewera National Park and Whirinaki Forest Park. Earlier history is also evident around Murupara. In a rock shelter approximately eight kilometres west of the town centre are a number of ancient cave drawings. Any of the four marae in the area will extend a friendly welcome to visitors wishing to learn 'the Māori ways'.
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