Maratoto facts for kids

Maratoto is a beautiful valley and a small community in New Zealand's North Island. It's located in the Hauraki District, north of Paeroa. The valley stretches all the way to the Coromandel Forest Park. This park has many cool walking tracks for you to explore!

Discovering Maratoto's Past

The Name and Old Legends

The name Maratoto comes from the Māori language. It means "the rock of blood." This name is linked to an old Māori legend. The story tells of warriors who were cornered on a rocky peak in the valley. They chose to jump from the rock rather than be captured.

By the 1800s, the Ngāti Tamaterā people lived in the area. They had a fortified village, called a pā, on the banks of the Maratoto Stream. This pā was named Hikutaia, which means "the end of the tide."

Early Settlers and Gold Rush

European settlers began arriving in the mid-1800s. Many of them came from Ireland. A small settlement grew around the Pioneer Hotel. This hotel offered food and lodging for gold miners. These miners often passed through by stage coach.

Gum-diggers also worked in the area. They cleared much of the local Kauri forest. One local butcher even set up his shop inside a huge, hollow kauri tree stump! In 1872, a telegraph line was finished. This meant messages could be sent quickly, without needing a courier.

Mining for Gold and Silver

Gold was first discovered in Maratoto by a pig-hunter. He found it while wrestling a pig into a creek! Later, in 1897, Richard McBrinn made another gold discovery. A creek in the area is now named McBrinn Creek after him.

Many people came to Maratoto hoping to find gold and silver. Some interesting characters arrived, like the "South American Black Doctor."

Between 1888 and 1891, a mining company from New South Wales operated in the valley. They found a good amount of gold. However, it was expensive to develop the mine. This meant they lost money when processing the gold.

In 1898, another company from Auckland started operations. They built a large crushing plant with 15 stamp batteries. This plant also had a cyanide system to help extract gold. The government even provided funding for this company. It crushed ore for other nearby mines too.

Maratoto Today

The main mine in Maratoto closed in 1927. It is now abandoned.

Since the 1970s, rock-climbers have been visiting the area. In 1996, climbing routes began to be officially mapped. You can still find remnants of old mines, an old telephone line, and a fence from a cattle pen in the valley today.

Exploring Maratoto's Tracks and Climbs

Maratoto offers great opportunities for outdoor adventures. There are three main tracks you can access through the Coromandel Forest Park. There are also exciting rock-climbing routes.

Walking and Tramping Tracks

• Maratoto Wires Track: This track follows an old telephone line through the valley. It takes about three hours to walk one way. Part of this track is used by four wheel drive vehicles. There are rules in place to help stop the spread of Kauri dieback, a serious tree disease. The track can be slippery in places, with clay sections. It also has a steep climb and an open summit at the top of the ridge.
• Golden Cross Track: This track connects with the Wires Track. It goes through a forest that is regrowing in an old mining and farming area.
• Maratoto to Wentworth Crossing: This is a longer walk, taking about five hours. It's best for experienced trampers. This track connects to the Wentworth Falls Walk, Wentworth Valley, and Whangamatā on the eastern side of the park.

Rock Climbing Routes

Maratoto has 11 different climbing routes. Most of these routes are great for sport climbing. They offer amazing views from high up!