Taumarunui, the meeting place of the Whanganui and Ongarue Rivers, was an important centre in Maori history. A rural service and shopping centre and the largest town in the Ruapehu District, Tamarunui is known for its farming, railway history, trout fishing, gardens and weaving. The golf course is listed amongst the country's top 50.
Taumarunui is around 2.5 hours from Hamilton and 45 mins to Whakapapa Village
in the Tongariro National Park.
The Pureora Forest Park to the north-east has large stands of ancient native trees and abundant bird life. A good range of walks and tracks and mountain biking is available.
Owhango, a small village 20 mins drive south, borders the Tongariro Forest Park containing pristine rivers, scenic bush and native wildlife, home to the famous 42 Traverse mountain bike ride which starts at the volcanic plateau end.
Facts and Figures
- Taumarunui experienced population decline during the 1990s, when few areas could be expected to absorb the impacts of freezing works closures and decline of the rail industry. From a 36% decline between 1996 and 2001, the last Census (2006) showed decline has been slowed at -8%.
- Unemployment in Taumarunui in 2006 was 4.1%, which is lower than both national and Ruapehu averages.
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