Murupara

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Murupara is a town located in the North Island of New Zealand. The town is situated in an isolated part of the Bay of Plenty region between the Kaingaroa Forest and Te Urewera National Park, on the banks of the Rangitaiki River, 65 kilometres southeast of Rotorua. Murupara is the terminus of the Murupara Branch railway. Its principal industries are all related to forestry. The name Murupara means "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, with 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 of 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.

The settlements of Galatea, Horomanga, Kopuriki, Aniwhenua, Waiohau and Murupara lie between the boundary of the Kaingaroa Forest, the popular 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.

Coordinates: 38°28′S, 176°42′E