“Where exactly is Ruthe Passage?” someone asks. Ruthe Passage is a channel nestled between Rotorua and Ponui Islands. It is a narrow stretch of water. It connects different bodies of water.
Let’s pinpoint Ruthe Passage. You will find it in Block VIII Waiheke Survey District. The precise coordinates are -36.826861 latitude and 175.200543 longitude. These coordinates place it in the North Auckland Land District.
Imagine early Māori voyagers navigating these waters. They expertly used natural geographical features. Auckland’s waterways formed a hub for communication. Governor Hobson recognized this. He acknowledged Māori had long used this network.
Sixteen early portages existed near Auckland. These portages facilitated travel. They connected different waterways. This created a communication system. It extended north and south of Auckland.
Consider the Tamaki Isthmus. It was once described as a “natural Venice”. Canoes were as vital as gondolas. Water travel was essential.
Governor William Hobson understood the value of these waterways. In 1840, he chose Auckland as the capital. Its central location aided internal water communications. The Kaipara and Manukau Harbours provided access. They stretched north and south.
Henry Williams guided Hobson’s attention to the Waitemata region. Williams had explored this area. He recognized its potential.
Land tracks also played a vital role. They formed part of the communications network. These tracks followed ridge tops. Some evolved into present-day roads. St Stephens Avenue and Remuera Road are examples.
Major passages facilitated north-south traffic. These passages ran along both sides of the isthmus. The western route was determined by natural features. The Waiuku portage connected the Waikato River to the Manukau Harbour.
Another significant passage paralleled the isthmus’s eastern shoreline. People from Waikato and Waiuku used portages. They accessed the Hauraki Gulf’s western side. They crossed the isthmus. These portages ended at the Tamaki River.
Northbound voyagers hugged the east coast. They sometimes portaged across the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. The river system offered a preferred route. It avoided the sea’s adverse weather.
The Mangawara portage provided another option. It allowed Waikato people to reach the Waitemata Harbour. They carried canoes over a single portage.
William Colenso noted Māori voyaged great distances. They used rivers and sheltered waters. They traveled from Horahora on the Waikato River to Tangowahine on the northern Wairoa River.
Remember that war parties could appear from any direction. The waterways and portages provided advantages. They also created vulnerabilities for those living near Te Tamaki Makaurau.
Three pa controlled the portages across central Te Tamakimakaurau. The Whau portage was distant from large settlements. Early maps depict some of these portages. These maps offer a glimpse into the past.
The Aotoetoe Portage was long and difficult. It measured over fourteen kilometers. S. Percy Smith mentions it in his book.
The Waiau Portage crossed the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. Hongi Hika likely used it. He carried war canoes across it.
The Takapuna Portage linked the Hauraki Gulf with Shoal Bay. It was the shortest portage in the Tamakimakaurau area.
The Whau Portage connected the upper Waitemata Harbour. It linked it with the northern part of Manukau Harbour. It was a vital link. Modern Portage Road follows the old track.
As you stand here think about the generations that have passed through Ruthe Passage. Their journeys shaped this land. Their stories echo in the waves. Ruthe Passage remains a testament to their ingenuity and resilience.