Paparoa Range

The Paparoa Range is a mountain range in the West Coast region of New Zealand's South Island. It is located along the coast between the Buller and Grey Rivers, with the Inangahua River to the east. Some of the range is protected as the Paparoa National Park. Within this park, the 1995 Cave Creek disaster occurred.

Significant coal deposits have been found in the Paparoa Range, with the Blackball Branch/Roa Incline and the Rewanui Branch railways built to provide access to the mines. Although these branch lines are now closed, they were famous for their usage of the Fell mountain railway system to aid braking for trains descending the Inclines (though this was not a full use of the Fell system like the North Island's Rimutaka Incline).

Numerous species of flora and fauna are found in the Paparoa Range, as well as lower slopes and valleys below. One of the significant understory elements of the floral palette is the fern Blechnum discolor.

The highest peak in the Paparoa Range is Mount Uriah at 1,501 m (4,925 ft), and a number of other peaks are higher than 1,200 m. The Papahaua Range north of the Buller Gorge is a geological continuation of the Paparoa Range.

Paparoa

Paparoa is a settlement in Northland, New Zealand. The Paparoa Stream flows from the east, through the settlement, and into the Paparoa Creek to the south, which joins the Arapaoa River which is part of the Kaipara Harbour. State Highway 12 passes through Paparoa. Matakohe is 6 km to the south west, and Maungaturoto is 12 km east.

History

Paparoa was one of several Kaipara settlements established by a religious group known as Albertlanders. Port Albert near Wellsford was the main settlement, and Matakohe was another. They settled at the Paparoa Block in 1863. The land was burnt off so that corn and grass could be planted. A road was constructed to the port at Pahi in 1865, and one to Matakohe shortly afterwards. A pottery using local clay and a factory making rope and matting from flax operated in the 1870s, and brick and tile yards were established, but their business suffered from the poor roads and high freight charges. The nearest stores were in Pahi, 6 miles (9.7 km) to the south.