- Papatowai
Papatowai is a small settlement in the
Catlins district of the southeasternSouth Island ofNew Zealand . The settlement is situated half-way between the cities ofDunedin andInvercargill , on the Pacific coast close to the mouth of theTahakopa River . There is a permanent population of around 30 people but with most of the houses in the town being holiday homes (locally known as "cribs") the population rises dramatically during the holiday seasons, particularly around New Year's Day and Easter.Papatowai is surrounded by native
podocarp forest and there are numerous walks in the area to waterfalls, and sand beaches in addition to bushwalks. There is also a walk to an archaeological site where it is possible to see middens left by earlyMāori inhabitants of the area. In the past, the bones ofmoa have also been found here.The Papatowai Challenge, a 15.7km bush and beach run and walk, is held annually on the first weekend in March. The 2008 event attracted over 360 people.
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