Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua)

About Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua)

At the northwestern tip of the Aupouri Peninsula, Cape Reinga is known in Maori as Te Rerenga Wairua, the leaping place of spirits. According to tradition, the spirits of the dead travel north along the length of Aotearoa to this headland. They descend the roots of an ancient pohutukawa tree clinging to the cliff and enter the underworld, before rising once more at the Three Kings Islands to return to the ancestral homeland of Hawaiki.

A gentle path leads to a white lighthouse overlooking the meeting of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, where swirling currents mark the union of male and female seas. The land is cared for with Ngati Kuri and other local iwi, and visitors are asked not to eat or drink at the cape out of respect.

What to see

• Lighthouse viewpoint over two oceans
• The lone pohutukawa tree on the cliff
• Meeting of the Tasman Sea and Pacific currents
• Interpretive panels on Maori traditions
• Te Paki giant sand dunes nearby

Visiting Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua): practical guide

Best time

November to April

Hours

Always accessible

Entry

Free

Dress code

Windproof layers and walking shoes

Nearest airport

Kaitaia Airport (KAT), 110 km

Tips from experienced pilgrims

• Do not eat, drink or smoke at the cape, out of respect for the sacred site
• Rental car insurance may not cover Ninety Mile Beach driving
• Allow a full day from Kaitaia or Paihia

Festivals and special days

• Matariki (Maori New Year, June or July)

Etiquette for visitors

Guidance drawn from Māori religion tradition. Always follow signs and local custodians.

• Wait to be formally welcomed before entering a marae.
• Remove shoes before entering a wharenui, the meeting house.
• Do not sit on tables or pillows, as the head is tapu.
• Do not eat or drink inside the meeting house.
• Ask before photographing carvings or people.
• Follow local guidance about sacred places such as mountains, lakes and burial grounds.

Location map

Open in OpenStreetMap · Get directions

Frequently asked questions