TOKOMARU BAY

On the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand, is the small bayside township of Te Ākau ō Tokomaru,
more commonly known as, Tokomaru Bay.

Tokomaru Bay is approximately 91km north of Gisborne.
There is only one way in to Tokomaru Bay which is by road, specifically via State Highway 35.
(unless you are an adept bush-track horserider or ocean swimmer).

Less than 500 people live locally; however for all Māori of Te Whānau ā Ruataupare and Te Whānau a Te Aotāwarirangi, two hapū (subtribes) of te iwi (tribe) of Ngati Porou - Tokomaru Bay is their turangawaewae; their home, their "place to stand'.

All Māori have an inherited connection through their iwi and hapū, to an ancestoral maunga (mountain) and awa (river) and
for these hapū they are Marotiri and Mangahauini.

"ko Marotiri te maunga, ko Mangahauini te awa..."
"Marotiri is the mountain, Mangahauini is the river..."

Recently; the song "35" by the group Ka Hao featuring the singer, Rob Ruha, became part of a popular TikTok trend and:

• put Tokomaru Bay and State Highway 35 on the international map,
• introduced the world to (more) music in te reo Māori (the Māori language),
• showcased the Pāua Pie,
  A delicious, savoury pastry that is made and served at Cafe 35 in Tokomaru Bay

Tokomaru Bay is the birth & final resting place of composer/performer, Ngoi Pewhairangi and former All Black, Buff Milner.
Alongside his Darling wife; Missy (in her hometown of Tokomaru Bay) also lays the renowned performer, Prince Tui Teka.