Where the heck is Tapawera?

Exposed rock ridges ran down the hillsides, looking rather like the backbones of long buried prehistoric giants.  These interesting rock formations were on the outskirts of Murchison, and we were heading east on SH6.   

  Exposed rocks in the hillside

We skirted around the base of the densely forested Kakurangi National Park and climbed up and over the Hope Saddle.  A stand of golden trees glowing in the sunshine reminded us that autumn has arrived and winter is not too far away.  No indeed, just look at that dusting of snow on top of those mountains.

Changing tree colours

Snow on the mountains

We soon arrived at Tapawera, our stop for the night.  Question time now – how many of you know where Tapawera is?     We had no idea either, but after consulting our travel directory, it seemed the ideal place to stay.  We never quite know what to expect when we arrive at the gate, but this rural POP is delightful.  We are parked up on a large grassed area, looking over peaceful farmland. 

On a farm in Tapawera

Our lovely friendly hostess Gail welcomed us on to her property accompanied by her bouncy 10 year old Poodle Cruise. 

Family dog Cruise

A bit of local sightseeing was in order after lunch.  Tapawera has the ideal conditions for growing raspberries and hops.  Tall frames on the side of the road are all ready for the next planting of hops.   As all tipplers know, hops are a very important ingredient in brewing beer.

Hop frames waiting for the new crop

The little village of Tapawera is a bustling place with team of buses from the local garage busy ferrying school children home.  With a supermarket, a cafe, pub, skate board park, and even a St John Ambulance Station, it seems that the locals are well catered for.

The local museum is the former (transported) Railway Station from Kiwi, and tells the dramatic story of  the closure of the local railway line which ran from Nelson to Glenhope.   Nine women, including protester Sonia Davis staged an eight day sit-in on the railway lines in an attempt to stop the closure.  They sat calmly doing their knitting as the train edged closer and closer to them – luckily it stopped short, and the women were arrested.  The guard on the train was so upset by the line closure that he resigned at this point and walked off the train – which couldn’t then continue on the journey.  Conveniently, the Minister of Railways was travelling on the train and he authorised the completion of the journey. 

Tapawera Museum

Protesting the rail closure

Mural in the village

All this protesting took place a long time ago, and Sonia Davis went on to higher things, becoming a Member of Parliament, although she never seemed to lose her independent nature.  It never ceases to amaze us just how much history we discover when we stop at these interesting little places, like Tapawera.  And for something completely different, we will have to set the alarm clock tomorrow, we’ve got a date to help with milking the farm goats in the morning.  That sounds like fun.