forgotten Monument (Taranaki) Hawera, North Island, New Zealand
By Rick-a-mortis on 16-Apr-17. Waypoint GC742KC

Used the hint and didn't find it. Think it may have been removed

Could find where it was. Couldn't find a way to get to it. Unsure if it's on someone's private land.

On a previous visit three years ago, we weren't sure how to access this cache. Many people referred to climbing the gate, but which one? We climbed the gate at S39 34.000 E174 17.652, went down the road and over the step stile, then along between the electric fences. We had to cross one single string temporary electric fence. At the monument we found a suitable hint object in a suitable position, but were unable to find a cache. Noting that previous logs suggested it was on its last legs, we decided to risk placing a new cache - a Berocca tube - and logging it as a find, ad trust the cache owner will find this acceptable. TFTC

**17,344**
Like Capperz we couldn’t see any clear way to access this cache placement so up the hard way it was, along the fence line and to the monument. The cache has had a hard life and is feeling rather depressed, but we were able to sign the log and returned as found. TFTC

Parked alongside and could see the host towering above me, but not how to get there. After a few checks I climbed the gate, then followed the electric fenced walkway. A great interesting place here with awesome history, shame it's not marked on the roadside. Cache was a bit flattened, added my name and replaced as founsd.

With a preferable weather forecast for the Saturday this weekend, and a little time available for a roadie out Taranaki way I was off out the house at 0600 and back home 12 hours later. My initial (misguided) plan to cache up to Stratford, then back again was adjusted just after lunch and Normanby was the turn-around spot. A good day out and improved my Taranaki stats somewhat with 30-odd real finds and 17 Ad Lab stages (3 completed). Put my big-boy pants on to climb the Hawera water tower (a DNF for the cache though) and a great Earthcache out at Ancient Beaches. Many, many 2 Bulbars caches, thanks Lester, and appreciate the efforts of all COs.

Did the long walk up
Just missed the rain
all good
Thanks

A nice quick find and a nice little rest with the cows and sheep watching me, tftc Rick-a-mortis

I also put in a new waterproof log

Had to get the boys out so we headed on a road trip - this was nice to get out of the car for - tftc

found this on a fine day . pity this is not looked after more and wreaths layed

TFTC

Had to return to this and found ittftc

Great area to explore, lots of history

North Island Campervan trip Day 1

After the fantastic holiday I had a few months ago traveling around the South Island, making the most of one of those incredibly cheap campervan deals available at the time, I figured it was worth taking a week off work before the stresses of the usual holiday period to enjoy some of the delights to be found around the top of the North Island.

So seeing as I have to get to Auckland to pick the camper up it seemed like a great opportunity to break my drive up there up by going via the Taranaki to seek out some targeted caches there such as the TMGT ones, as well as some that would help me with my Jasmer grid, missing minutes (for a couple of challenge caches I'm working on) and any other caches that caught my eye.

Today was simply the drive up to New Plymouth. Leaving work after half a day there meant I had a few hours to leisurely make my way to the holiday park I was staying at tonight. The weather was glorious and making the journey very pleasant. You could even see Mt Egmont properly!

Having just found the nearby TMGT cache, it made complete sense (in spite of my time constraints) to come and have a look for this one too. A nice and easy find at GZ. No issues at all with this cache or the log, which was signed and replaced before I was back on my way again.

Thanks for setting this cache up.

We had hoped to visit this today but were unsure of access. The most likely spot had no signage and a firmly locked gate. We didn’t want to trespass, so regretfully moved on.

Nice walk through the park for this one

Cool cache in a neat spot - we should have read the sign post to get to it... Got a bit carried away with the hunt and took the long way to get there!

Such an interesting read today. Was in the reserve for two others, so was easy to pick this one up too. Gosh things you find along the way.

Interesting spot that we would have definitely miss if it wasn't for the cache. TFTC

Great views from up here, the mountain covered in fresh snow. Cache all good here. TFTC

Well we definitely took the long way to this but I’m really glad we did as it’s a neat little piece of road to walk up and also exploring the nearby pa site was interesting too. Read the monument then looked for the cache. Thanks for bringing us here.

Teamed up with Cats&Dragons, for an overnight mission down the West Coast focusing in and around Hawera. It's been awhile since we've done a trip like this and it was great to be out finding caches again. We left Hamilton at 7pm Friday night and returned midnight Saturday, with only a few hours of sleep needed we managed 116 finds for the trip. A big thanks to all the cache owners for their placements.

A really neat monument. Thanks for showing us the history. Cache found with hassle.

Another interesting site to visit. Thanks for providing the excuse to visit this place.

Another easy find

found it

Yay I finally got there! I had come for the TMGT cache the other day but Dad wanted to go back home before trying this one so I have returned solo to get the code (because I forgot) and to get this cache! I am thankful for the signposts. Eventually I made my way through the maze of electric fences to reach the monument. There were some lawnmowers in residence who were not too bothered by me thankfully! Thanks for this cache.

We couldn't really work out how to get access to this cache, and given the previous DNF, and road works in the area, we didn't persevere

No luck today searched for 20 minutes

Tftc

Certainly an impressive view of Mt Taranaki.

As we were approaching this from Ohangai Rd end we stopped opposite GZ. Now how to get there. Checked the fence. First entrance was Private. Second fence looked private so TS took the gamble and won. He returned to get me to go to the Pa site and snagged this one the return journey. Cheers

Day 4- Tuesday 17 December. Hawera district today.
Running around the Hawera district today in Toby, while Zara rests up. Checked Manawapou viaduct and Nowells Lakes.

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.

We approached from the north and entered via the nearby driveway.Was really confusing - looks like private property - would have helped if the CO said there something like public access allowed. But then, that is obvious due to the canhe being here, so in the end I strode on in. easy find at GZ.

Day four of Taybeedragon's and my big 3 week circumnavicaching trip around Mt Taranaki, starting from Palmerston North. Today is Hawera - it's going to be 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
* Lots of cache maintenance!

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15 December 2019 6:23 PM. parked up nearby, hopped over the gate and quickly made my way to this treasure. No worries about crossing any fences, there was a clear route to the monument.

On arrival here, I remembered that I had been here before, we came here on the way back from a family holiday a few years back. Good to revisit though. Tftc.

I can see why it is forgotten place ..well I guess the caching community will remember it and it has obviously stood the test of time ...thanks Ricka-mortis for the placement

This memorial leaves a lot of questions unanswered, like were any Maori killed and if so where were they buried? Thanks for bringing us here rick-a-mortis

Found 1.10pm
Day 2 of Squirrel Nutcase and my road trip south, now from Whanganui back to Rotorua.
Mission completed with collecting TMGT caches, and as to day 1, great history.
Will have to come back at some stage as there are so many caches in area.
Thanks to cache owners for the cache placements. SLTFTC

With Gap (of Fap and Gap)... This weekend’s mission was about completing the North Island leg of the TMGT. It involved a fairly extensive road trip through the Wellington, Manawatu/Whanganui, and Taranaki regions. We also made a plan to pick up other caches along our driving route...

We thought this location would also give us access to Turuturu Mokai - It didn’t. However, the monument gave us further insight into the history of this location. Thanks Rick-a-mortis and TFTC.

Spending a few days around the region and finding a few caches along the way. Stopped by this interesting little reserve and enjoyed a walk around.
TFTC Rick-a-mortis

Tramyard had arranged a camper relocation and asked me if I wanted to join him and locate some of the geotour caches on the way back from Christchurch to Auckland. I readily agreed and took Friday off work, so we could spend 4 days travelling over 1600kms from Christchurch to Greymouth to Kaikoura, Blenheim and Picton, across the ferry to Wellington, up through Taranaki back to Auckland finding over 80 caches, 43 of which were part of the geotour.

We stayed the night in Belmont Regional Park for the night. Our original plan was to travel back to Auckland via SH1, stopping in Taupo. However, Tramyard decided we could return via Taranaki, even though he was only there last week. This meant we had an early start if we wanted to find all the geotour caches along the way (and a few virtuals too!).

There was a farmer working in the nearby farm, but we were blocked from view while searching. Wasn't expecting this memorial in the middle of the paddock full of cows.

Nice little walk

Found it

Found it pretty easy, cute lil calves

I found accessing this cache a real challenge so after a few 'nope, can't go that way' moments I finally found a way to GZ - even if it meant getting down on my stomach to go under an electric fence!

A quick find at GZ but took a moment to read the monument writing - an interesting place. I read that the dead was buried at Waihi Cemetery and while visiting the Cemetery for another cache later in the afternoon I was able to see the place where they were buried. It was cool to visit both locations in a short space of time.

TFTC

Found it during doing campervan relocation. TFTC

Well hidden

had a great walk throught the reserve to get this one and meet some jokers sorting cows stoped off for a chat .

This is my last cache in my little tour of taranaki land war caches over the last two days.

Probably should have done this first, as it was the attack on this redoubt that started the 1868 war.

A simple find, thank you

Was a cool one

Awesome find signed and put back x

We noted the last log and went hoping to find the remains of the cache and replace what we needed to, but we couldn't find anything.
With the CO's permission we have left a mint tin with a piece of paper in it as a temporary fix, although in a slightly different place so the clue will need to be amended.
Thanks for bringing us to this interesting spot. I hope you manage to keep a cache up and going here as it is a good place for one.

After walking to GZ in the heat and getting through the electric fence and dealing with a herd of overly friendly cows, we found half the cache container in the paddock. Then our tiny dog decided he was too hot and too tired to walk all the way back to the car so I had to carry him! So yes, we technically found it but no log to sign. Owner has been notified, photo sent.

Thanks for letting me log this as a find. I left the remains tucked up against the memorial.

Will try again another day.

New cache placed . Hope this 1 lasts longer . Enjoy the cache

hope to go and check this cache in the morning

Finished up today in Hawera with half an hour of daylight to spare so I thought I'd grab a couple of caches.

I see this one had a DNF but I was in the area so I thought why not.

Hmm, another apparent locked gate, best leave this one for another day as well.

I was unable to find this one. I hunted around for quite a while with no luck... I did however make a friend while I was there as you can see from the picture. The are also bulls in this paddock with horns which is never fun.. I got paranoid when one was following me really closely so I jumped into the next paddock to calm my nerves

Quite a walk in but no luck. Looking at the logs we feel it's no longer there.

Tftc

Very tricky may have to come back to this 1

Had a quick look here with out any luck. But had to move on because of time restraints.

Tried searching for this sucker for ages while a goat was watching. Just couldn't find it at all, ARGH.

Over and under a few fences, mind the goats, tftc

Great hide. Haven't been here for years. Thanks for the geocache

Out on a drive and a chance to grab a couple of caches. Almost feels like you are trespassing here...lots of long grass and fences stating they are electric. 3 cattle looked on only a couple of metres away as we grabbed this one...glad the hiding spot protects it. Tftc

Found with GPetone on a most enjoyable HVTC day cycle ride exploring Hawera. As GPetone noted it is a interesting historic site and really needs some clearing and new interpretation panels. TFTC

Great site to visit. Pity about the run down reserve. With patandjohn.
TFTC

Quite the walk through very long grass, past curious steers and thistles! Short and jandels not the best choice! Easy find, TFTC

Thanks lucif3r I just couldn't put my hand in there.

Nice walk but shocking maze good easy find tftc

Easy find. Bring pen

This was a tough one ... but we got there on the end

Awesome location

When we got close to ground zero we were not to sure which way to go, but we worked it out in the end after climbing fences walking over farm land, quite the little adventure, added extra fun to the day. what a surprise to see a monument here. What an interesting area to visit there were no muggles around we had the place to ourselves. Thank you for placing a cache here and bringing us to an area we would of never known about if it wasn't for caching. TFTC

The rain had finally stopped so out for some fresh air and a walk. Found Hot and Cold so took a walk up the hill to look for this cache.

Always enjoy these historic sites - Thanks for the placement at this interesting spot Rick-a-mortis. Gets a FP.

Found it but realised we forgot our pen

This is such an atmosheric place! Full of shadows, mixed with better things, too. Straightforward find, best to follow the track signs, to avoid any startling surprises! A couple of curious calves cheered us along. TFTC

Found a stile and a maze type path to the cache and a quick find TFTC

Another good find with jackeesback on a road trip today.
Very good monument - lots of electric fences to cross before I got to the site - looked like I was trespassing on someones farm.
SL TFTC

Totally electrifying find, thanks to tmann421 who loved the shocking experience

could not find access to the GZ. I will need some help here for next trip up to NP>

Easy find, nice walk & history lesson

Awesome lil area, without the hint would've taken us ages

On my walk in I had spied what I thought was the monument, nope 300n further on. Nice walk up here through the farmland (friggin hate those farm fences, I'm always convinced despite their shock proof handle that they are going to zap me). Quick search at gz (watch where you put your handbag!!) And then walked out through the pa site to check it out. This is what I love about geocaching, the interesting historical places that it brings you too. Tftc

Quick find nice spot

Found after getting a little lost but got there in the end

Full log to come..

We took a small diversion on the way to drop off a grandchild after an overnight visit and had ourselves a mini adventure. We parked on the side of the road about 50 metres from the cache site and found there was no direct route. Exploring up the road came to naught so we changed direction and headed towards the historic place sign.

On encountering a barrier we clumsily scaled a gate then made our way through a maze of electric fences to the hiding place. I watched with amusement as my wife crawled under the wires, before I took hold of the plastic handles and unhooked them to let myself through. Granddaughter's laughter came from Nana standing in a fresh squishy cow pat.

The cache itself was a quick find, and duly signed and replaced. Thanks for the introduction to this area.

great cache.

Walked along the redoubt road from 'Hot and Cold' . Wasn't keen to go across the horse paddock with its electric wires so approached from the main road crossing the fence. The monument was quite well obscured on approach. Interesting piece of history and soon found the camou container with onlookers watching on. Tftc

I just parked in the shed when Mrs Bulbar came out and said there wasa a new geocache just down the road so I hurridly changed, loaded the cache onto my GPS and raced off know roughly where it was and as I stopped at the gate it was 68 meters away causing my heart to flutter a bit seeing all the electric fences about but after navigating around the first one i stumbled across a second one so approached with caution as I had gumboots on i grabed a piece of grass and held that against the wire which would reduce the force of the shock quite a lot and to my surprise nothing so I grabbed the wire and still nothing then I procedded through and up to the monument
Yeah a clean logbook FTF 17.01 hrs
This place has a lot of history and i can remember about 46 years ago some film company was making a film and part of this reserve was used for a night shoot and just after they asked the crowd to be quite they started filming and you could of nearly heard a pin drop untill a local went past in a noisy landrover out on the road causing the director to yell cut and start again as the film was supposed to be in an era when there were no vechicles, this happened again just after they started filming again so it got cut again but after that security went out and closed the road. There was a swimming pool down by the stream and maybe you can still see the concrete edge as the stream flowed though the pool
many thanks Rick-a-mortis for placing this here allowing us to get some FTFs in our area
A FP from us

Published