The Forgotten World Highway

The Forgotten World Highway (State Highway 43) runs 155km from Taumarunui to Stratford, winding through unspoilt bush just as it it would have looked thousands of years ago. 

Honestly there wasn't much to see at the starting point of Taumaranui apart from this impressive moa statue made of driftwood.

Driving through the Tangarakau Gorge, we stopped by the side of the road near this very tall tree. Here we ate lunch and Yannick dozed for a while. We had happened to park right next to a sign which told of some of the history of the gorge. Other tourists would pull up right next to us to read the sign (some of them not even getting out of their campervans) and then drive off again, realising that the sign did not lead to an interesting bush walk.

We passed through the town of Whangamomona, which declared itself a Republic in 1989 to protest its shift from the Taranaki Region into the Manawatu-Wanganui Region. Residents hold a Republic Day every two years in January, and apparently people travel from all over New Zealand to attend the festivities.

The Wikipedia article states the following about the elected presidents:

Ian Kjestrup (1989–1999)

After being put on the ballot without his knowledge, he became the first elected President. Served 10 years.

Billy Gumboot the Goat (1999–2001)

First elected animal. He won election by eating the other challengers' ballots. He died in office after serving for 18 months.

Tai the Poodle (2003–2004)

Tai retired after an assassination attempt left him a nervous wreck.

Murt "Murtle the Turtle" Kennard (2005–present)

The local garage owner fought off strong competition from former president Kjestrup and a cross-dresser called "Miriam" to become the 4th President. He was re-elected in 2009 by one vote. He was re-elected again in 2011 by a landslide.

In Stratford, we went to see the glockenspiel clock tower. The town was named Stratford-upon-Patea for the similarity in aesthetic that the Patea River has to the River Avon in the UK. As Stratford-upon-Avon is Shakespeare's hometown, there are many references to the playwright. The clock tower plays out a scene from Romeo and Juliet three times a day, but we missed that. Also, 67 streets are named after characters from his plays.

The Bard of Avon is watching you.