ABOUT PUTARURU.......

A Brief History

There are many versions that have been documented about how Putaruru came to be.......this is just one of them.

The principle tribe for Putaruru and it's surrounding area is Raukawa due to the coveting of lands by his offspring.

Raukawa's grand daughter Korekore (also referred to as Korokore) married a chief named Parahore of the Ngati Kahupungapunga who initially occupied the lower Waikato basin. It was due to her efforts of supplying preserved birds to her family that she was murdered and buried in the dirt floor of her whare (house). However, her personal attendant escaped to report her death to her brother Whaita who took up arms and with a contingent of warriors avenged the death of his sister enabling Raukawa descendents to occupy the land from north of Putaruru and the Atiamuri district. KoreKore's personal attendant was RURU and in his bid for freedom from Parahore's village people he hid in fern and bracken until he had witnessed their return empty-handed and continuing his journey.

The phrase `PUTA` means "out of" that is "out of the hiding place of Ruru" the correct pronunciation being Puta-a-Ruru ie Putaaruru

Putaruru is a Motorhome Friendly town.

Freedom Camping

A stay of more than two nights requires a camping permit which can be obtained from the Putaruru I Site.

While in Putaruru why not check out some of the following activities and walks.

• Te Waihou Walkway
• Waikato River Trails
• Jim Barnett Reserve
• Arapuni Swing Bridge
• Putaruru Golf Club
• Okoroire Golf Club
• Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
• Over the Moon Cheeses
• Putaruru Pavement Art
• Trout Fishing