With changes afoot for the 2021 event Ashley Lucas made sure he made the most out of his trip to the 2019 Motu Safari. 

The Motu East Cape Safari has been a highlight of the four-wheel-driver’s calendar every two years for the last 21 years being one of the original 4WD safari events. 

One of the things that make the Motu so special – apart, of course, from the rural hospitality and the remoteness - is the proper safari format rather than a tag-a-long one.  Participants are put into teams or groups of 3-4 vehicles and travel in these groups at 5-10 minute intervals with a road book and signs and arrows marking the route each day.

The Geyserland 4WD Club from Rotorua helps with the off-road side of things and also vehicle requirements and scrutineering.  Some of the tracks are steep and can be very slippery in adverse weather conditions.  As well as the usual safety items, all vehicles had to have a low range transfer case which meant some of the newer modern vehicles without a transfer case but with 8-speed plus electronically controlled gearboxes weren’t allowed, even if  they have hill descent and traction control etc.

The safari is a four-day event with day one starting off at the Motu School where vehicle inspections were completed, registration packs handed out and sausages and tea, coffee and morning tea was available while you waited for your allocated departure time.

Day two was out of camp and up the road for a short run in the Waipaoa River before travelling back roads to Arowhana Station.  The station is very high and very exposed to the wind as evidenced by the old house and woolshed which both had the roofs blown off.  It was at this point when the leaders came back advising we had to turn around as the key would not work in the lock to the forestry block. 

Plan ‘B’ was a 220km winding dusty back country road trip through Tauwhareparae and back out to Tokomaru Bay and Te Puia Springs to fuel up before heading into Makarika for the night.  Dinner was put on by the Makarika School and they were very welcoming with use of shower, swimming pool and a very nice dinner.

Day 3 and it was down to the 2000 hectare Waingakaia Station and a trip up to the transmission repeater at 900metres on Mt Aria.  Here we had surrounding views of Mt Aorangi and Mt Hikurangi, the largest peak in the Raukumara Ranges, before descending down the other side on steep and sometimes tricky tracks.  One tight corner had vehicles hugging the bank to get around.  Usually we would have connected with the Horehore Road and crossed the bluff above Mata River but the bluff has once again slipped and closed that track. 

The overnight stop was at Waikura Station, one of the seven stations covering 14,160 hectares (35,000 acres) in the valley.  Most stations still have large blocks of native bush and the valley was once reputed to be the most isolated place in New Zealand due to the distance from a main centre.

After dinner everyone gathered around in front of the woolshed where Paul and Shelley Cornwall along with PTA chairman Hamish Newman thanked everyone for coming along and also the sponsors and land owners/managers that are so supportive of the event and the school.  Prizes were handed out and the children’s scavenger hunt and colouring competition winners were announced.  It was also when Paul Cornwall indicated that this was probably the last Motu East Cape Safari in this format.

However Paul has indicated that there will still be something for 2021, probably a smaller, revised route or format but one which will stay true to its original roots.

The Motu East Cape Safari will be missed but at same time we are excited at what will replace it in 2021. 

Thanks go to the supporters and sponsors of the event, especially to the many stations and managers who kindly gave access to the vast East Cape wilderness;

• Geyserland 4WD Club
• The Lamb Club
• Hikurangi Forest Farms
• Enterprise Group Gisborne
• Autokraft
• 4x4 and Ute Essentials
• NZ4WD Magazine
• Gisborne I-site
• BNT
• Rhino Rack
• Te Roopu Matua o Whatatutu Kura
• Makarika School
• Waikura Sports Club

To read the full story in the March 2019 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (February 18) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store