Kakahi derives its name from the fresh water shellfish called Kakahi that found in the area.

Kakahi can be accessed from State Highway 4 using access roads Waitea Road or Whakapapa Road

The North Island Main Trunk passes through Kakahi over the Kakahi Stream via a large concrete pillar and steel girder bridge.

Last century Kakahi was another King Country Mill town, with 4 mills around the township, many tram lines for moving the timber (Mainly Totara). Kakahi also had 3 churches, one hotel, one boarding house, one school, one pool hall, one large community hall and a local store.

The Kakahi Store is still operating [2005], and the Kakahi Community Hall has been restored to full function by the community. Originally the community hall was also used as a 'Silent Movie" house and still retains its piano and fire proof projection room.

Home of the Kakahi Marae and the people of Ngati Manunui - a hapu of Tuwharetoa.

Kakahi is/was also famous for the trout fly fishing (in-particular the Kakahi Queen Fly), the Kakahi Rodeo, and for Peter McIntyre (Official War Time Artist for the New Zealand Military)

The Whanganui River and Whakapapa River junction about 5km to the east of Kakahi about 1km walk from the end of the Te Rena Road (An old tram line).

External Links

Peter McIntrye

[worldwind://goto/world=Earth&lat=-38.93647&lon=175.38455&alt=4987&dir=-0.2 Kakahi Community Hall NASA Satellite Image]

[worldwind://goto/world=Earth&lat=-38.93659&lon=175.38451&alt=576&dir=147.8&tilt=78.7 Composite Satellite/Radar Image of Kakahi with Mountains: Ruahehu, Tongarero and Ngarahoe in background]