It marks the location where the "last spike" was driven in 1908 for the completion of the North Island Main Trunk line.

The monument is located about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) north of the locality named Pokaka, immediately north of the Manganuioteao Viaduct, and a short distance south of the Makatote Viaduct.

[1] The monument marks the location where the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, conducted a last spike ceremony on 6 November 1908.

[3] A silver-plated spike was used, though the actual last spike was driven in about 300 m (980 ft) to the south, to complete work on the Manganuioteao Viaduct (then called Manganui-o-te-Ao),[3] where temporary tracks met on 3 August 1908.

It is marked by road signs on State Highway 4 and a small carpark.