On the southern shores of Lake Taupo is the original settlement
of Tokaanu, along the banks of a stream and close to the thermal
area. The Maori people have lived here since the 16th century. They
used fine meshed nets made of flax and caught a variety of small
lake fish, freshwater mussels and small freshwater crayfish in
their waka (canoes). Birds were snared in the surrounding forests.
The thermal area with its never ending supply of hot water and
steam vents, to this day provides communal cooking facilities.
Other hot springs are still used for relaxation, bathing, it's
therapeutic qualities and natural heating for homes in the
winter.
Tourism came to Tokaanu following the creation of the Tongariro
National Park in 1887. Te Heuheu Tukino IV, the paramount chief of
Tuwharetoa, gifted on behalf of his tribe the summits of Tongariro
and part of Ruapehu to the people of New Zealand, so that their
tapu (sacredness) might be protected for all time. In 1988 the
Tongariro National Park received World Heritage status for it's
natural landscape values, and in 1993 became the first in the world
to have it's value status include Cultural landscape.
At the turn of the century, visitors crossed Lake Taupo by
steamer, and stayed in Tokaanu to enjoy its lakeside setting,
thermal park and hot pools, before heading to the National Park and
south. The early 1920's saw better roads into the area, and the
township continued to thrive. In the 1940's, Tokaanu was first
affected by huge hydro power development. Lakeshore homes were
abandoned to the higher lake levels. Many businesses in the 1960s
moved to Turangi, as it became the new service centre to the
Tongariro Power Project, leaving Tokaanu with its old time charm
and character.
The 1990's has seen the locals returning to Tokaanu, to revive
"the great New Zealand Spa Years". Today you'll find an assortment
of businesses, Hotel, Motel, Backpackers and Camping Accommodation,
Shops, Service Station, Marina, Ski Hire, the Thermal Park and Hot
Pools and Rock 'n' River's Rafting and Kayak Base - nestled along
the Tokaanu Stream.
FTF honours go to: OpacoO