Karioi, Volcanic summit near Raglan, New Zealand

Karioi is an extinct stratovolcano 8 km southwest of Raglan, rising to 756 metres. It is the earliest of a line of six calcalkalic volcanoes, the largest being Mount Pirongia. Its forested summit and steep-sided ridges and ravines descend on both the seaward and landward sides.

Karioi is an extinct stratovolcano dated at 2.4 million years old, the earliest of a line of six calcalkalic volcanoes in the Waikato; the largest of the line is Mount Pirongia. In 1855 the Crown bought the roughly 12,000-acre Karioi Block, which covered the whole mountain, for about 11½d an acre, with 600 acres reserved for the former Māori owners. The first block in the county opened for settlement under the Homestead scheme in 1878 was in the Karioi district.

The mountain holds deep meaning for Māori people, as the rangatira Rakatāura established a sacred place there that shaped its name. Walking to the summit today, visitors experience the spiritual connection between the land and the people who have lived here.

Several trails lead to the summit and are maintained by the Department of Conservation, with no entry fees charged year-round. Good footwear and water are essential for the walk, which takes a few hours depending on your starting point.

Te Toto Gorge on the slopes displays about fifteen distinct lava flows that reveal the long volcanic history laid bare in the rock. Cliffs in this area also preserve evidence of ancient Māori stone gardens, showing how people once used the land.