Te Arapiki a Tāne | The stairway of Tāne

When you want to combine fitness, the great outdoors and spectacular views, then Te Arapiki a Tāne should be your destination. Close to 600 steps take you down the cliffside reserve to the Manawatū River on a steep and challenging trail.

Photo shows people climbing steep steps zigzagging up a hillside on the bank of the Manawatū River.  

Access is from Te Motu o Poutoa and off Vaucluse Heights, with the steps linking to other river network pathways, including He Ara Kotahi.

te-arapike-a-tane-entrance.jpg  

Access the steps from Te Motu o Poutoa.

Distance: Te Motu o Poutoa 0.55km, Te Arapiki a Tāne - Two flights of steps 207 and 220

Map of Te Motu o Poutoa in Palmerston North

Contour:

  • Te Motu o Poutoa: moderate
  • Te Arapiki a Tāne: steep steps, with no hand rail

Surface: Gravel, grass, forest floor, steps

Access Points: Cliff Road, Vaucluse Heights

Conveniences: Carpark, seating, picnic tables

Special Attractions: Historic pā site, photo opportunities, river views, city views and the observatory

Connects to: Titoki walkway, Poutoa walkway

Dogs

Graphic of person walking a dog on a lead.
Dogs must be on leash

He Kupu Rangatira – The Proverb Pathway

Te Arapiki a Tāne is home to He Kupu Rangatira – The Proverb Pathway, a site-specific arts project that celebrates our bicultural foundations and our multiculturally diverse city through recreational activity.

The pathway supports community unity through the wisdom of proverbs from around the world.

The proverbs appear in the language of origin, with a te reo Māori equivalent, and an English translation. There are 10 languages represented over 12 signs.

Download our handy guide for more information.

Proverb pathway guide(PDF, 491KB)

 Photo shows the artist with a metalwork sign depicting native birds and one of the proverbs.

Artist Ephraim Russell with his design for one of the 12 proverbs.

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