CORONATION RESERVE

Coronation Reserve, just to the south of the boat ramps at Whangawehi, is where a large number of Maori were baptised into the Christian faith in 1842. The nearby hollow rock was used as a baptismal font and across the road is a recess in the rock face where it is said the records were kept. The inscription on the font reads " According to tradition this rock font was used by William Williams who with William Yate visited the Mahia Peninsula in 1834 and baptised Maori here in 1842". Boats are able to be launched at Whangawehi. It is also a great spot to go fishing and to explore the rock pools.

DIRECTIONS

To visit Coronation Reserve, take State Highway 2 towards Gisborne. At Nuhaka continue straight ahead towards Opoutama and Mahia. At Opoutama cross over the railway lines and continue towards Mahia. At Mahia go straight ahead on to the East Coast Road towards Te Mahia. You will pass the Maungawhio Lagoon on your left and Oraka Beach. Continue through Te Mahia. Coronation Reserve at Whangawehi is 4.5kms past Te Mahia. It is on the left hand side of the road.

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