Rangituhi / Colonial Knob Walkway

You'll think you've sprouted wings when you reach the top of the 468 metre high hill rising to the west of Porirua City. From this lofty perch on a clear day you can view many other high points - from the Inland Kaikoura Range in the south to Mt Taranaki in the north-west.

Cast your eyes northwards and you can see as far as Waikanae. Swivel them south and you take in the suburbs of Tawa and Johnsonville. Just below is the city of Porirua and its harbour - a unique drowned river valley - stretching out towards Paremata and the Pāuatahanui Inlet.

The seaward outlook takes in Kapiti and Mana Islands and, on a clear day, the South Island.

Early Māori named this peak Rangituhi (sky glow). Viewed from the harbour at sunset on a summer night the hills do indeed light up with a red glow.

Rangituhi/Colonial Knob is one of several remnants of a peneplain - an eroded landmass that existed 30 million to 40 million years ago, before it was raised by earthquakes and erosion began to form hills.

An Airways New Zealand radio station on Rangituhi/Colonial Knob assists with the radar control of aircraft, through a beacon which checks Hawkins Hill radar in Wellington and Tokomaru/Mount Robertson radar in the South Island.

Getting there

There are three routes up to Rangituhi/Colonial Knob, offering a loop walk taking from three to five hours.

One starts at Broken Hill road, taking you into the Rangituhi/Colonial Knob Scenic Reserve, past the man-made lakes which once supplied water to Porirua Hospital, and through Kohekohe forest.

You can also get up from Raiha Street through the Porirua Scenic Reserve, and from Raiha Street up the road to the radio station.