Name: Whangamōmona
Rating: 2

Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Discover

Places to see

New Zealand

Manawatu-Wanganui

Whangamōmona

Discover

Places to see

New Zealand

Manawatu-Wanganui

Whangamōmona

5 people recommended this place

Recommended by 5 cyclists

Save

Location: Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand

Save

See rides here

Take Me There

Routes here

Top cycling routes to Whangamōmona

riders

1. Whangamomona Campground – Whangamomona Hotel loop from Whangamōmona

83.4km

06:59

1,220m

Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Expert

riders

2. Whangamōmona – Whangamomona Hotel loop from Whangamōmona

56.4km

05:32

970m

Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Expert

Tips

Strawanzer

April 24, 2024

Whangamōmona is a small settlement in the Stratford District of the Manawatū-Whanganui region on the North Island of New Zealand. In 1989, in protest against the government's administrative reform, in which half of the community was assigned to two different administrative regions, it declared its independence, declared itself a republic and has celebrated this every two years since then with a folk festival.

The name of the settlement means something like "fertile valley" in the Māori language, with "whanga" meaning valley and "momona" meaning fertile.

The New Zealand State Highway 43, also known as the "Forgotten World Highway" and connecting Stratford and Taumarunui, runs through the town. The Stratford-Okahukura railway line also runs through the town. However, there has been no rail traffic since 2009 and it is only used by tourist traffic with motor trolleys. A resumption of rail traffic is now being sought.

After the proclamation of the republic in 1989, the "Whangamōmona Republic Day" was born and the promise was made not to rest until the administration's decision was reversed. In the meantime, "Republic Day" has become more of a folk festival and political demands have increasingly taken a back seat. In 2005, around 5,000 citizens of the republic met to elect their president, shear sheep, throw rubber boots or take a bath in a bathtub full of eels. Even special trains are used on this special day and stop in Whangamōmona on the route that is normally only used by freight trains.

The "Republic of Whangamōmona" is still cosmopolitan. Anyone who supports the political demands of the republic can become a "citizen" of this republic. For $3.50 NZ you can buy a pass locally that entitles you to enter the republic on "Whangamōmona Republic Day". Anyone who wants to can also have the official stamp of the Republic added to their national passport.

de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Whangamomona

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 190 m

Weather

Today

Friday 3 October

15°C

9°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See rides here

Take Me There

Location: Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand

Whangamōmona

1. Whangamomona Campground – Whangamomona Hotel loop from Whangamōmona

2. Whangamōmona – Whangamomona Hotel loop from Whangamōmona

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️