From the shearing statue, continue south along Waitete Rd for just over 1km, then turn left onto Ahuroa Ford Rd, then turn right down by the river (but without crossing the river).

Follow the Mangaokewa River along, heading upstream.  The track skirts the Waitete Sawmill, and McDonald’s Limeworks (with a kiln producing burnt lime for roadworks, as well as lime ground for its many other uses from toothpaste to topdressing). You also pass an old cement works, then cross over the river on a vehicle bridge.

Once across the river, the track follows a disused quarry road to an abandoned lime quarry site, with pipeline and wooden towers remnants (limeworks and lime quarrying has been a traditional Te Kuiti industry).  The track ascends beyond the quarry to an elevation of 100m, with good views back across Te Kuiti and up the valley ahead. (Te Kuiti High School students built the picnic table at this view point, and also, as you descend from here, the footbridges across small creeks).

The track enters bush for the last kilometre, passing one pretty waterfall en route, then crosses the stream on a suspension bridge to reach Mangaokewa Reserve. 

Mangaokewa Reserve is a pleasant place for picnics, overnight camping, bush walks, swimming and other passive recreational activities. Public toilets are available within the picnic area.