Added to Kura Tāwhiti Reserve in 2009 after purchase by the Nature Heritage Fund.
The first set of boulders on your left as you walk in from the car park. A close second most popular field, Spittle Hill has stacks of boulder problems including many interesting moderates. Polished holds are rife here unfortunately, due to ease of access and popularity. It's best not to climb on polished rock, please consider finding a different climb. There are many options!
Beyond its world-class climbing, this landscape carries centuries of history. Hidden amongst the sheltering limestone outcrops are 500-year-old charcoal drawings attributed to Waitaha, the first Māori travellers through the area. Because of these deep cultural and spiritual ties to tangata whenua (Ngāi Tahu), Kura Tāwhiti was designated as a Tōpuni in 1998. This status reflects Ngāi Tahu’s commitment to protecting the area’s high natural and heritage values. Please tread lightly and treat this iconic landscape with the respect it deserves.