From the end of Kawa Road follow the signpost to the beach and wander or boulder hop along the beach to the graves. The Onepoto grave site is located at the south end of Kawa Road in Katherine Bay.

On 29th October 1984, the Wairarapa was sailing between Sydney and Auckland when it struck Miners Head on Aotea/Great Barrier Island.  Of 235 passengers and crew, around 130 people lost their lives making this the third worst shipping disaster in New Zealand history.

Tapuwai and Onepoto are the two main burial sites with 60 bodies between them, many others were transported to the mainland.

Ngati Rehua residents in Katherine Bay played a huge part in rescuing and caring for survivors, as well as recovering bodies from the shipwreck.

Have a look at the Aotea map here!