Cape Turnagain is a prominent headland on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, part way between Hawke Bay and Cook Strait, between the mouths of the PÃ Ârangahau and ÃÂkitio Rivers.
Eastern most point of the Tararua District, part of the Manawatu-Wanganui Region, access via Herbertville
The cape was named by Captain James Cook in 1769. On his journey of discovery, he sailed south to this point where he was met with atrocious sea conditions, typical of the area. Being unable to safely proceed, he decided to turn and head north and sailed anticlockwise around the North Island of New Zealand and upon reaching the same place turned again southwards and named the point as a result of his decision.
The MÃÂori name for Cape Turnagain is Te Aho a MÃÂui, which means "MÃÂui's fishing line", in reference to the MÃÂori mythology story of MÃÂui and his brothers fishing up the land mass now known as the North Island.
Cape Turnagain is north-west of Chatham Island, making it the nearest point of mainland New Zealand to Chatham Island.
The cape is one of the windiest places in New Zealand, frequently recording annual extremes for wind speed. Winds gusts of over have been recorded many times. The highest gusts that have been recorded include on 17 September 2023, on 21 October 2025, and on 10 April 2018.