The Key (Taranaki) New Plymouth, North Island, New Zealand
By Blenheim Bear and Devlin the Devious on 02-Jul-16. Waypoint GC6MRZN

Gone too many times, will open up for another cache.. BB

I wonder if this is still there? I will come back when I’ve got more time

Tried to look for the key at WP1, did not find.

We decided to try this easy multi, which turn harder than wet, wet, wet nearby, as we didn't locate the key at first stage. But the three of us succeded, using a few additional supplies. Container and logbook were in good condition. Thanks for placing this, would be great to have a check on the key, or change this multi to a normal with different rating.

Found this last month but forgot to log it..
Looked at the first waypoint about a year ago and DNF “The Key” but had a go at it anyway and managed to extract it but had no pen so we returned last month with pen in one hand and our own key to finally claim the find.
Liked the concept of this one and thinking back now I did see a very rusted .... which possibly was the original key as it would have still had the properties needed to extract the cache,
TFTC

No joy at the first waypoint,

Over planned this one. At the GZ it was the option you did not plan for thT worked. Simple and effective. TFTC

Thanks for putting out this cache for woolwood9 and I to find!
SL **tm/ww NZ** (may just be a black smudge on the many wet or plastic logs)
We soon had another good cache located.

*No problem, quick stop this time - we had a DNF here in 2018 as we didn't have the required tools!*

Heading north with tmann421 to find some caches,
Signed log tm/ww NZ
TFTC

Did some preemptive scouting on this one to figure out what "key" would be required for this one after reading previous logs. Returned this morning with what we assumed would be the correct key - but turns out we were slightly cocky and hadn't fully looked at what was required. So a return trip this afternoon with a better solution - which worked in record speed. Log in hand, singed, and returned. TFTC

This was a most interesting cache. Based on previous logs we ignored the first waypoint and went straight to the final. We pondered several possible methods of retrieval, and returned to our car to gather a variety of equipment. We tried three methods which failed, but a fourth method succeeded eventually after several tries. If that hadn't worked, we had another possibility, but would have needed additional equipment. We're not sure if any of our methods were the intended one. Despite a lengthy period at the cache, no passers by questioned what we were up to. A favourite from us. TFTC

Could not find the essential part at WP1 but still managed to get to the log at the final. I also see many others have not found anything at WP1

#11,680. Returned for another exploration of the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway in New Plymouth. We could not find the “key” at WP1 either. Made our way to the final GZ where the hide was found after a short search. Fortunately the place was not too busy at the time of our visit. We fashioned up something to make our own “key” for the retrieval. The cache was in good condition, all nice and dry inside. Took nothing, left nothing, signed log.

Thanks for the “multi” placement(s), and for bringing us to these sites, and …

.T h a n k s. .f o r. .t h e. .c a c h e.
.M a u r u u r u. .k o e. .n u i. .a t u. .h o k i. .t e. .k e t e r o k i.

We decided to have a day in the Naki, starting with the event and tiki touring around picking up some caches.
Like others before us, we didn't manage to find the first stage, but located the second and managed to devise our own tools, so the cache was soon in hand.
We certainly had to be discreet with muggles passing on a regular basis.
Thanks for setting this up BB & DD

.Visited the Lye Centre earlier today while it was raining. Now weather clearing. Did not find the key here. Found the final but not enough wet stuff with us today. A local resident kindly helped us out. We finally got this one sorted. Cheers

Day 7 - Friday 20 December. New Plymouth area today.

The Seagnoid, Zara, Toby and I are spending Christmas exploring Taranaki via geocaching. Its been an amazing 3 week adventure. Rattls BBQ was a great event, meeting many other cachers. But also managed to fit in a few more events, especially New Years Day celebrating the start of 2020. Lots of caches - over 500. Lots of cache maintenance. Lots and lots of kilometers. And lots of amazing places visited along our journey. Mt Taranaki remained elusive for much of our travels and the caches on it at the top. Loved Pukekura Park Night Lights Show and the the Wooden Mechanical toy exhibition at NP Info centre.

Alas the cache gives no entity called WP1 so we assumed that to be the published coordinates, but could not find anything useful there. Found the cache at the final and tried two ways to extract the cache. The first failed in spectacular fashion, not even moving the cache a little. A quick visit to the nearby housing to get some resources and the second method worked nicely.

Day seven of Taybeedragon's and my big 3 week circumnavicaching trip around Mt Taranaki, starting from Palmerston North. Today is New Plymouth - we got here at long last! Yes, it's been a slow trip!!
Highlights:
* 3 weeks, 536 caches
* Mt Taranaki had been removed for washing, which was a bit of a shame. Even after it had been returned we were only allowed to see it for it was less than half an hour a day.
* High percentage of caches with crappy coordinates
* Amazing Pukekura Park
* AMAZING Pukekura Park light show!
* Pukeiti Gardens
* 3 notebooks full of cache notes for later logging
* Lots of cache maintenance!

***[======== NZ Mega 2020 ========](http://nzmega.com)***

Planning for the [NZ Mega 2020](http://nzmega.com) event is well underway. It will be held in Auckland over Labour Weekend, 23 to 26 October 2020. It's going to be a massive celebration of geocaching:

* 20 years of geocaching worldwide.
* 20 years since New Zealand had the very first geocache hidden outside of USA.
* And it's 2020 - all the 20s!

Talk to your geo-friends and start planning to be part of [this event](https://coord.info/GC87777) - you won't want to miss it!

A Fp for this one even if the key was missing
Away for a week of adventure leaving home in the rain and a strong southerly wind but as we advanced and the days ticked by the weather improved. Our main aim was to cycle the timber trail then blob out for a day then head north to Waitomo and return via Te kuiti and head south
on SH 3 getting caches along the way and in some cases taking alternative routes around around the Awakino gorge before geting back to NP then home
Thanks to all for placing these geocaches

My second attempt. First visit I couldn't find the key but with reading other logs and the hint I had a fair idea and located the object.. I thought I had the right Tt
TOTS but sizing was wrong and even when I altered that it still would not oblige but today it worked like a gem and it was soon signed and returned surreptitiously.
Thanks M. For this cache and another smiley face.
Worth a fav point.

visited this early before rain set in but didnt have enough of the required TOOT. so another visit some time...

So glad to get another multi while here, didnt really think to bring anything with me.
Couldn't find the "key" so hunted through my geo bag and what was around and soon had cache in hand. Thanks for bringing us here, hubby is now in a sulk after stepping in dog poop on the way back + fav point

Checked out what we needed last year & came back this Naki trip to knock it off. Muffed our first effort & needed to restock. Back to try again & finally conquered it. Paper log was mush so binned that & then signed the waterproof log. TFTC

Spent far too much time here trying to retrieve without the key

Couldn't find the tool, couldn't get the container out,

Found it. Very wet

On holiday in New Plymouth grabbing caches

Out again today to collect a few more end of day caches with scoria, he had been to this one early in the week and this time was coming prepared. No key but a suitable kit to work as a pick

We had previously came across a similar cache nearer to home so we knew the trick to this one.

Also a bonus in that I am trying to get up my multi count as I am currently working on boosting a few achievements in project.gc.

Thanks for the placement and novelty

Another dot day and another visit to this cache, this time we'll prepared.
Attempt 1 and I realised I had only done half the prep work.
Attempt 2 and the cache came to hand.

Like so many others, not sure of a key but easily spotted the cache. can think of a couple of ways to make a suitable key so will note the method for a return at a later date.

Searched for the key with no luck, we had our TOT to retrieve cache and sign log. Cache and log are very wet... TFTC

This was a real team effort in the company of Agogo... using a most creative set of tools - all good fun, and we got there in the end. Many thanks, and Happy New Year for 2018!

Looked for the key without success so checked past logs and went to final and assessed the challenge. Returned later better equipped. Thankfully had also teamed up with lion fish. After a concerted team effort cache was retrieved. A master class in geocaching required and worthy of our last cache for the year. Awesome .

rustynz tells me I need to catch up with all my logging!

A 3 day weekend of fun with a group of Westies (rustynz, gorby, jag58 & merlot58)

Sorry for the generic logs. Thanks to all the CO for the hides, and the adventure

Getting through a big list of caches today. We made a pile long before our trip to New Plymouth myself and the rest of Team Westies. This cache was on the list. We did a big search looking for the key, but the key didn't want to be found. So we came to the place where the key needed to be and saw what we were supposed to do. But no key.... so we improvised instead. out came all manner of things but then I had an idea and viola... we have a cache to sign. Thanks for the cache BB. Counting down caches now until we depart for Auckland.

Log later

Down in New Plymouth with a bunch of Westies. We spent ages looking for the key and were unsuccessful. Fortunately Gorby had a Magyver tool and we managed to retrieve the cache from it hide. Full of water and the log was also very wet. Fortunately it was relatively waterproof and so was still in good nick. Advised the CO who was planning to check on the cache.

I was visiting New Plymouth for the weekend with a few other Westies from Auckland. Despite a thorough search we were unable to locate the key so decided to see if we could open the cache without it. We had McGyvor Gorby with us who was able to manufacture a way in to the cache. The container was full of water and log wet but still signable

Some drove round to the cache, and others walked further along the walkway to find it.

The "key" was giving us a few problems, and after seemed like ages, and no success, even with us all spread out, the decision was made to make our way to the final.

rebel98 suggested a shoe lace, which could have been attached to a tool I had bought with me. But gorby the master builder he is, with a bit of ingenuity retrieved the cache.

The contents a little wet, another fun find, signed Team Westies (merlot58, rustynz, rebel98, Jag50 and Gorby)

Found with Trayc.g, logging now as I have my own account. Really liked this one! I found the key twice. Dad had to come along and show us how to use it though. FP from me

Second time here for this one. Found key first time round but wasn't sure how to use it and ended wondering if we had the right key so we left it for another day. Brought hubby along this time to help out. Took us ages to find the key again but found it we did and hubby knew as soon as he saw it how to use it! Had to do a big cobweb clean out first then success! Cache is in hand! Neat set up, haven't seen one like this before. TFTC

Sneaking off the walking treck to find a nice little path leading to WP1. Finding the key took me a while, but eventually something struck my eye. Could this be the key to this cache? Took it with me and went to WP2 where it sort of made sense
Thanks a lot for the unusual hide, Blenheim Bear!

TFTC

CZECH
takovou kešku už znám, já jsem využil slabého místa a vyzrál na to, protože hledat "klíč", když souřadnice jsou pochybné, to se mi fakt už víc nechtělo

Great find again very clever took my grandaughter to sight the colours

found the key this time, couldn't find it last time I looked, took us a wee while to figure it out, thanks for the clever cache

Good very quick multi while walking past on my morning walk. Seen this type before so not a problem.

Nice multi got eating alive but I'll servie TFTC

Nice flat sea today should be fishing. Unlocked without to much trouble SL TFTC

Really enjoyable cache hide found with CatsandDragons while visiting to view the lights TFTC.

Managed to survive the family Christmas and now a chance to head away for a couple of days to New Plymouth with Mrs Dragon so that we can take a turn around the mountain and also make the most of the Pukekura Park Lights Festival.

Thirty fifth of the trip and located while heading down and around the mountain for a bit of a scenic drive. By now the weather that we had started with was not the same as the weather we had at this point as the skies were now clear and the mountain magnificent.

Had met up with Rosmar for the afternoon and a spot of dinner but of course we got a bit sidetracked while siting in the sun and went to locate a couple of caches nearby. Soon completed the requirements for obtaining the log on this one

Thanks for the placement and the cache

Nice easy multi... hardest part was avoiding the muggles...

I was doing a spot of cache maintenance and placement near by and decided I should grab this multi while I was at it.
I searched two likely areas for the required tool before I soon spotted a tell tale sign and then it was a quick retrieval and log sign at the convenient seat. Before returning the tool to its hide.
I've found a couple of caches like this before but it was nice to have the tool provided for a change!
T F T C Blenheim Bear and Devlin the Devious.

Found in October with trushannon. Logging now as just got my premium membership.
Was a very sneaky find. Returned key after trushannon found it so might have put it in slightly wrong place on tree.....

Tftc

New key installed at WP1, they do like to walk... Please put them back for the next person. Container loose as someone had a different way to get to the cache, now fixed again. BB

Today was day three of a four day ‘camp’ I have been fortunate enough to lead and organize for the ‘SJCgeocamp’ group. The SJCgeocamp group consisted of ten motivated fourteen-year-old boys who had chosen to join me and another adult for a trip to New Plymouth to experience Geocaching for the first time during their school camp week. I really enjoyed researching the trip which consisted of a variety of geocache types, sizes and difficulties in a variety of locations, some more challenging to get to than others. We were after quality rather than quantity and mostly visited geocaches with a high numbers of favorites and by CO’s with good reputations for providing unique hides. Thanks to all the cache owners, the boys had a great time.

I'm pretty sure we didn't complete this as the CO intended. However the final was found and the log was signed. I've seen other of this nature before so new what to expect and came suitably prepared. We enjoyed our walk along the piece of the coastal walkway. TFTC.

That was a sneaky hide!! In plain site and not what was expected with the key in hand. Have been making the most of the good weather today and this was my 60th find!

Had a look at this a few days ago. Spotted the cache location easily before getting there and quickly worked out what was required. Like others though, could not locate the key and happened to be a day I didnt have my caching toolkit with me. Returned today and after another quick look for the key, used my own tools to retrieve and sign log. Tftc

Located the attachment, but not the 'key' to retrieving the cache as it seems to have disappeared. Visited the final waypoint and the cache. After some thought used the attachment and with some skill (!) and attempts eventually the cache saw the light of day. BB notified. Thanks ftc.

Good hide

Old "key" has goneburger, looks like someone took a shine to it. Too large for a bird but it has taken wing. New "modern" key now placed at WP1 which is quite hard to find, but persevere and you will find it. Happy caching BB

looked at wp1 high and low but did not find the key or clue to next wp, so carried on our walk, with a bit of luck and some home made keys we found the next way point and signed the log, if this is not allowed please remove our find, TFTC

It seems that the "key" is the problem...
Searched twice but hint and co-ordinate are not clear enough.
Have seen the cache and an idea, but nothing similar in our camper.
What a bummer. For reaching this difficulty rate, the owner could reasses the "key" location...

Sorry cachers, WP1 has been muggled and "the key" has gone off to open other things. The final is still intact for those with their own "key" and normal service will be resumed ASAP. Happy caching BB.

Had trouble finding the key, luckily we had our own key. Easy to find final way point. Thanks for the cache

Had trouble finding the key, but found the GZ for the final waypoint. Guessed what the key was and tried our own key and boom! Got em. Tftc! Awesome idea.

Tftc. Fun one like it a lot! Took a while to find the Key, GPs was a little off

In New Plymouth for the hockey tournament I had some time for a few evening caches. After a bit of a hunt I found the tool for the next stage and made my way over. I'll be honest and it took me a minute to figure out how to use it. Once I figured it out I almost facepalmed myself for not figuring it out sooner. Nicely done on the cache! TFTC!

This proved harder than I thought most of the time was trying to get the timing right. Muggles seemed to be popping up everywhere. Finally got the gap I needed and took it off into the bush to sign the log was the key thanks BB didn't get wet feet TFTC

Had to come back cos couldn't find the key but no trouble on second visit. Weird eh? I'm sure we looked there. But a fav for us. Thanks loved it.

Found it . Found waypoint two first then went back and had another search and found the 'key'
Great cache!

Took a bit to find WP1 but I had my pirate son helping and kept fishing for it. Then the final way point was easy.

I had a go at completing this cache while walking home from a night on the town last week between 9 & 10 pm. Met three groups of Pokemon Go players, but only a couple of 14 year old lads I met at Kaweroa carpark knew what geocaching was.
Couldn't find WP1 for the key in the dark, despite knowing about the hidden track, but found the Final continuing my walk home.
Today I was sitting around doing nothing in particular (due to the lousy weather), but got enticed out of the house by the possibility of a FTF. After getting that I remembered I still had this one to do...
**Still couldn't find WP1.** But knowing where the Final was it was just a matter of which method to use to access cache. Brought the necessary tool so nabbed and signed.
I was always keen to place a geocache here due to the children's hand-made tiles along side the walkway, but couldn't figure out how to make it muggle-proof. Didn't think of this way. TFTC Blenheim Bear. Another good one

Hey, some of us have to work! (Work out, I mean, as I was just coming away from the gym when I saw this new cache) Such a lovely day, too, so I joined hundreds of muggles on the walkway. Soon spotted a familiar sight. A bit confused as to which came first, but soon sorted things out and located what was needed. Sat in the sun until all was quiet and logged my find peacefully. Thanks, Blenheim Bear, for another good one.

I cannot believe that I'm the first to find {FTF} on this, is that right?? Where are all the new Plymouth geocachers rushing out for this lol. I had come into new Plymouth and had had a pretty rubbish day geocaching only finding 1 out of 7 searches. I saw this hadnt gone so thought I would.give it a go, surely someone would have been there in a sunny day like today? I walked past the final and thought bet that's it, took awhile to locate wp1 and how to use said wp1 lol. Made the grab and stoked to see no name in the log. A fav point awarded for the clever design

Published