Tiaki
Maniototo
Explore the Maniototo
with Tiaki Maniototo
Tiaki Maniototo is all about providing people ways to access our precious awa. Here's some ways to see this incredible landscape:
The Kyeburn Loop
The Kyeburn Loop is a 45 kilometre road trail that explores the Kyeburn region, an area of great ecological, cultural and historical importance. It takes in our Spec Creek galaxiid site and our information site in Ranfurly.
Photo: Geoff Marks
Naseby
Spec Creek
Spec Creek, which opened in November 2023, is New Zealand's first private galaxiid sanctuary. This peaceful 30 minute walk leads through farmland alongside Spec Creek. If you're very lucky, you might spot some endangered Central Otago roundhead galaxias!
From Ranfurly, head north to historic Naseby.
Goldmining made this town, but sluicing operations contributed enormous amount of sediment to the streams and rivers of the Māniatoto. We are still dealing with some of these legacy effects today.
Naseby was an industrial site in the 1800's but these days is a sanctuary from the world, a quiet town oozing with history and a great place to enjoy a beer or coffee as the first stage of the loop.
Photo: Geoff Marks
The Kyeburn
From Spec Creek, follow Dansey's Pass Road to the junction with Kyeburn River Road. From here, follow the Kyeburn south, towards the highway. The Kyeburn is one of the cleanest and healthiest streams in the Taiari Catchment.
Photo: Geoff Marks
Moa Footprint Site
Near the bridge where State Highway 75 crosses the Kyeburn, 2-million year-old moa footprints were discovered in a clay horizon being eroded by the river. Unfortunately, the site is no longer visible due to recent earthworks.
Artwork: Paulina Barry
Tunaheketaka
Just before Waipiata, a shallow wet depression is all that remains of Tunaheketaka, once one of the most important mahika kai sites in the Upper Taiari for Kāi Tahu people, who harvested tonnes of eel from this site. The lake was filled up with sediment and drained in the mid-20th century.
Waipiata
The sleepy village of Waipiata is home to the Waipiata Hotel and its famous food and beverage. It's the perfect place to bring your journey along the Kyeburn Loop to an end,
Photo: Geoff Marks