Last updated July 2026
Te Motu o Poutoa, also known as Anzac Park, is a clifftop reserve on Cliff Road in the Fitzherbert area of Palmerston North. The site offers panoramic views across the Manawatū River and city, and serves as one of the most significant cultural and heritage locations in the region. It functions as both a commemorative park and a starting point for short walking tracks through native bush.
Practical Information
| Location | Cliff Road, Fitzherbert, Palmerston North |
| Also known as | Anzac Park |
| Type | Historic clifftop reserve and former fortified pā; cultural and heritage site with walking tracks |
| Iwi | Rangitāne |
| Founded | Early 1500s by Chief Poutoa |
| Management | Co-managed by Palmerston North City Council and Rangitāne as partners following the Kawenata in Relation to Te Motu o Poutoa |
| Features | Panoramic views; Te Motu o Poutoa Anzac Park Walkway (0.55 km); access to Te Arapiki a Tāne steps; parking; picnic tables; seating; dogs on lead |
| Cost | Free |
| Status | Open to visitors; respect cultural significance as a wāhi tapu site |
About Te Motu o Poutoa
Te Motu o Poutoa is the historic Rangitāne name for the clifftop site also known as Anzac Park. Chief Poutoa founded the fortified pā here in the early 1500s after spotting the peak while travelling down the Manawatū River. Its elevated position provided a secure vantage point overlooking the river and surrounding area.
The reserve holds deep cultural significance as the most sacred pā in Palmerston North. Rangitāne lived at the site for more than 500 years, retreating to the peak during conflicts. In 1820 Ngāti Apa launched a brutal attack that destroyed the pā and resulted in hundreds of deaths. The land was later sold in the Te Ahuaturanga Block in 1864 and purchased as Anzac Park in 1916.
Today the site combines Rangitāne heritage with its role as a public reserve and ANZAC commemorative location. It retains remnant native bush from the historic Ninety Mile Bush and provides a quiet setting for reflection and recreation.
History and Cultural Significance
Te Motu o Poutoa represents a place of both loss and enduring connection for Rangitāne. The 1820 attack by Ngāti Apa remains a defining event in local iwi history. The site is recognised as wāhi tapu, and visitors are expected to treat it with respect.
Co-management under the Kawenata in Relation to Te Motu o Poutoa formalises the partnership between Palmerston North City Council and Rangitāne. This agreement supports preservation of the site’s mana and cultural identity.
ANZAC Connection
The reserve has served as a memorial to local fallen soldiers since its renaming as Anzac Park. It is listed on the Poppy Places NZ register, acknowledging its commemorative role alongside the Rangitāne heritage. The dual naming reflects these layered histories.
Walking Tracks and Access
The Te Motu o Poutoa Anzac Park Walkway begins at the reserve and offers a short 0.55 km route with city views, native bush, and gravel or forest-floor surfaces. The track has a moderate difficulty rating with some slopes and steps.
From the park visitors can access Te Arapiki a Tāne, a steep trail of nearly 600 steps descending the cliffside to the Manawatū River. This connects to the wider river pathway network, including He Ara Kotahi. Access is via Cliff Road, with parking available. Dogs must remain on lead.
Future Developments
Palmerston North City Council is developing a civic marae and cultural centre at the site. The project includes a public café, urban marae spaces, event areas, and educational facilities. It aims to restore the site’s mana while providing community amenities, with completion targeted within the council’s long-term plan to 2034.
What Visitors Often Say
Visitors highlight the striking panoramic views over the Manawatū River and city from the clifftop reserve, along with the short walking track through native bush. Many note the site’s quiet, contemplative atmosphere and the importance of respecting its cultural significance.
Practical feedback mentions easy access from Cliff Road with parking, the challenging but rewarding Te Arapiki a Tāne steps to the river, and the combination of heritage interpretation with recreational walking opportunities. Dogs are welcome on lead.
Where to Learn More
Palmerston North City Council – Te Motu o Poutoa: Anzac Park: Official page with history, facilities, and project updates.
Palmerston North City Council – Te Motu o Poutoa Anzac Park Walkway: Details on the walkway, difficulty, and connections to Te Arapiki a Tāne.
Poppy Places NZ – ANZAC Park, Palmerston North: Official listing for the commemorative ANZAC connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Te Motu o Poutoa?
Cliff Road, Fitzherbert, Palmerston North. It is also known as Anzac Park.
When was the pā founded?
Chief Poutoa established the fortified pā in the early 1500s for Rangitāne.
What happened in 1820?
Ngāti Apa attacked the pā, destroying it and causing hundreds of deaths. The event remains significant in Rangitāne history.
Is the site co-managed?
Yes. Palmerston North City Council and Rangitāne co-manage the reserve under the Kawenata in Relation to Te Motu o Poutoa.
What walking options exist?
The 0.55 km Te Motu o Poutoa Anzac Park Walkway offers city and bush views. Te Arapiki a Tāne provides nearly 600 steps down to the Manawatū River.
Why is it called Anzac Park?
The site has served as a memorial to local fallen soldiers since 1916 and is recognised on the Poppy Places NZ register.
Are there any access rules?
The reserve is free and open. Dogs must be on lead. Visitors should respect the site’s cultural significance as a wāhi tapu location.
What developments are planned?
A civic marae and cultural centre with café, event spaces, and educational facilities is under development, with completion expected by 2034.
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