Rawhiti Cave, also known as Manson Cave, is a single large limestone cave in the hillside of the Dry Creek Valley 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) southeast of Tākaka on the South Island of New Zealand.[1] It is referred to as Manson Cave in the NZ Topo Map,[2] after owners in the early 20th century,[3] however the cave is known as Rawhiti Cave locally, and on DoC information panels and in brochures.[4]
The cave's entrance is one of the largest cave entrances in New Zealand[4] with an opening of about 40 metres (130 ft) wide and up to 20 metres (66 ft) tall.[5] The ceiling is densely covered in stalactites which become increasingly finer deeper down into the cave. A short walking track leads halfway down into the cavernous opening to a viewing platform.