Waipapakauri Ramp is known to some as Ngapae, with Waipapakauri being situated more inland, closer to Waimanoni. Waipapakauri Ramp is identified as a site of significance and key access point for the iwi of Ngai Takoto onto Te Oneroa a Tohe / 90 Mile Beach.
Tohe named many places along Te Oneroa a Tohe (The Journey of Tohe)/90 Mile Beach. He was a tohunga and matakite who knew all sacred things. He came to the Waipapakauri Ramp, while making the journey to save his daughter, Raninikura and named this place ‘Ngapae’ after coming across a whale stranding here.
Ngapae Holiday Park have beautiful pouwhenua standing at the entrance of our site carved by Maori Erstich. The central pou is representative of Tangaroa and three of his descendants. The figure on the front is Poutu, a descendent of Tangaroa who was human.
On the back atop is Ikatere and from him descend the creatures of the sea. Below him is Punga and from him descend amphibious creatures, the lizard, sharks and rays. Overall this pou wraps up the surrounding environment and the creatures that dwell within. In front of Tangaroa, are two wakamaumahara, which give reference to the many waka that traversed the seas of Te Oneroa A Tohe. The kowhaiwhai designs displayed take their origin from the shark, a creature of high significance within the iwi of NgāiTakoto.
