Historic farm walks in central Hawkes Bay

The world's longest place name is given to a hill in Central Hawkes Bay, part of private property out of reach to the public - until now. The hill is in backcountry near Porangahau and has become part of the itinerary on one of Airlie Mount's Historic Farm Walks.

Based in Waipukurau, Airlie Mount Walks operate daily between October and April on several large farms in Central Hawkes Bay.

Two of the walks include visits to magnificent historic homesteads, still lived in by the descendants of the region's sheep station pioneers.

And the hill with the lengthy place name? It is a 77-letter Maori name, meaning "The hilltop where Tamatea, with big knees, conqueror of mountains, eater of land, traveller over land and sea, played his koauau (flute) to his beloved". The 240ha hilltop property is still owned by Tamatea's descendants.

Contact: Airlie Mount Walks (06) 858 7601, fax (06) 858 7609, email salos@xtra.co.nz