In the 1800s the sea was the only highway to Golden Bay, when waka, sailing ships and boats then coastal steamers made landfall at Taupō, Tarakohe or Motupipi, sheltering from storms at Mutton Cove or behind the Tata islands. In the next century people and produce came by land, fishing boats dominated the coast and bigger ships came to the Bay to take iron from Onekaka, pigs and butter from Waitapu, sheep and cement from Tarakohe. The land was cleared and modified for farming and the road from Takaka was gradually extended to Pōhara, Tarakohe, Tata and Wainui then over the hill to Tōtaranui. The bush, sea and coastline became a playground for locals and visitors alike, and the harsh grey dust of industry was softened by the prosperity and security it brought to the community. This book offers a record of development and change through generations of old and new families who call Golden Bay home.  

 Tākaka to Tōtaranui
by Carol Dawber and Cheryl Win
is the sixth and last in our series of Golden Bay photo-histories.
It will be launched in the Pōhara Hall at 2pm on 15 November 2026
Tākaka to Tōtaranui is  available from all good booksellers or direct from River Press from 15 November
rrp $60