02-Mar-2013 -- I spent part of a return visit to my home country of New Zealand (during a remarkably dry summer) touring the rustic Waikato region, including a visit to the coastal town of Kawhia (pronounced "KAH-fee-ah"). En route, of course, I had to visit this degree confluence point, which lies near Mount Pirongia - a large extinct volcano that dominates this area.

The confluence point lies on one of the many sheep farms that dot this area. Taking the (gravel) Pirongia West Road, I was able to drive to about 500 metres south-southeast of the point. From there, I had to hike down a very steep hill, then cross a stream (using a fortunately-placed wooden farm bridge), then on a farm track up a (not quite so steep) hill, then around another steep hillside, to reach the confluence point, which lies on the south-facing side of a small, but steep gully.

Because the gully is so steep, it was not fully cleared for farming, so it is filled with native Ponga ferns, Manuka (aka. "tea tree"), but also, unfortunately, lots of decidedly non-native Gorse - an introduced weed that has caused havoc throughout the country.