Exploring NewZealand’s ParksA guide to the national, maritime,tussockland and forest parks of Aotearoa.

North Island Te Ika a Maui

Cover Photo:WhirinakiForest Park

Mt Taranaki/Egmont

Northland Forest Park

Panekiri Bluff, Lake Waikaremoana

Kauri Driving DamGt Barrier Island

Photo: Matt Ward

IntroductionWelcome to New Zealand’s national,maritime and forest parks, a world-classsystem of reserves looked after by theDepartment of Conservation. Thispamphlet outlines some of the mainfeatures found in each park, the servicesand facilities provided by the department,and other general information to help youplan your visit. It also includes informationon several other protected areas. Thisbrochure does not cover parks managedby local authorities.

Protected landNew Zealand has more than five millionhectares - a third of its land area –protected in parks and reserves. Theyembody an incredible variety oflandscapes and vegetation. From themangrove-fringed tidal inlets of Northlandto the snow-capped volcanoes of thecentral plateau; from the forests of TeUrewera to the majestic fiords, glaciersand mountains of the south, this land isunique. Plants and animals found nowhereelse on earth can be found here.

There are extensive opportunities foroutdoor enjoyment, ranging from waterskiing to snow skiing and snowboarding,from diving and snorkelling to mountainclimbing, from kayaking to tramping andtrout fishing. But most of all, landsadministered by the Department ofConservation offer the chance to enjoy anunspoiled primeval landscape, wherehumans have had only minimal impact.

Bay of Islands Maritime andHistoric ParkNatural beauty and historic significance arekey features of this park of islands, bays,beaches, tidal inlets and mangroves.Activities for everyone include visits tohistoric and archaeological sites, forestand coastal walks, boating, swimming,diving, big game fishing and camping.Information:Information:Information:Information:Information: Russell Visitor Centre, The Strand,Russell.Ph: (09) 403 9005email: Russellvc@doc.govt.nz

Northland Forest Park(Area: approx 80,000 hectares)

Rainforest dominated by giant kauri,including New Zealand’s biggest tree, TaneMahuta. The park is made up of manyseparate pockets of forest. It has lots ofshort walks and several long tracks, or youcan view the forests from the road. A mustfor botanists and birdwatchers. Publictransport to some parts of the park, butprivate transport needed to others.Information:Information:Information:Information:Information: Kauri Coast Visitor Centre,Dargaville Ph: (09) 439 3011 Fax; (09) 439 3016Tarewa Park Visitor Centre92 Otaika Road, Whangarei.Ph: (09) 430 2007email: whangareivc@doc.govt.nz

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

A large maritime park with 47 islands righton the doorstep of New Zealand’s largestcity, Auckland. Plenty of scope for yachtingand water sports, and the inner islands areeasily accessible for picnicking, camping

and walking trips. Highlightsinclude: Rangitoto Island,Tiritiri Matangi Island (anopen sanctuary forendangered species),Kawau Island (with itshistoric Mansion House), andNorth Head and FortTakapuna, (areas steeped inmilitary history). Outerislands are mainly naturereserves closed to casualvisitors. Great Barrier Island

(a large partly forestedisland on the edge of thepark) has opportunities forcamping and a range ofwalks and tramps.InformationInformationInformationInformationInformation: AucklandInformation Centre, GroundFloor, Ferry Buildings, Quay St,Auckland.Ph: (09) 379 6476

email: aucklandvc@doc.govt.nz

Coromandel Forest Park(Area: approx 74,961 hectares)

Easily accessed from Auckland, Hamiltonor Tauranga, this is a popular recreationalpark with luxuriant forest, volcaniclandforms and historic mining and millingsites. Activities include easy walks,fishing, swimming, tramping andcamping in the forest near coastal farmparks, and fishing, sailing, swimmingand diving around the coast.InformationInformationInformationInformationInformation: Kauaeranga Visitor CentreKauaeranga Valley Road, ThamesPh: (07) 867 9080email: kauaerangavc@doc.govt.nz

Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park(Area 37,141 hectares)

A narrow, rugged, forested parkrunning the length of the Kaimai-Mamaku ranges. Within easy reach ofRotorua, Tauranga, Hamilton andAuckland, it offers bush walks,tramping, picnicking, rock climbing,hunting, and exploring old gold miningand kauri milling sites. Publictransport available to within 5kilometres of the park.Information: Information: Information: Information: Information: Department of Conservation,253 Chadwick Road, Greerton West,Tauranga.Ph: (07) 578 7677

Pirongia Forest Park(Area: 16,738 hectares)

Small and densely forested, withinteresting plant life, this park iscentred around the slopes of 3 extinctvolcanoes. Only 30 kilometres fromHamilton. Ideal for short walks and 1or 2 day tramps, also hunting.Information:Information:Information:Information:Information: Department of Conservation,18 London Street, Hamilton.Ph: (07) 838 3363

Raukumara Forest Park(Area: 115,100 hectares)

Rugged forested ranges, featuringone of New Zealand’s foremost wildand scenic rivers, the Motu. Accessis difficult and good fitness levels,navigation skills, bush experienceand equipment are required.Whitewater rafting, wildernesstramping and hunting.Information:Information:Information:Information:Information: Department of Conservation,63 Carnavon St, Gisborne. Ph: (06) 8690460email:gisborne-ao@doc.govt.nz;Department of Conservation, Cnr Elliott & St JohnStreet, Opotiki. Ph: (07) 315 1001Fax: (07) 315 1011email: opotiki-ao@doc.govt.nz

Pureora Forest Park(Area: 72,335 hectares)

Magnificent, dense, podocarp forest withrich bird life, on the western side of LakeTaupo. Home of the rare North Islandkokako. Forest viewing tower. Forest walks,camping, birdwatching, scenic drives,tramping and hunting.Information: Information: Information: Information: Information: Department of Conservation, 18London Street, , HamiltonPh: (07) 838 3363 or (07) 878 1080email: pureorafc@doc.govt.nz

Whirinaki Forest Park(Area: 60,900 hectares)

Famous for its magnificent podocarpforests. Short and day walks, tramping,camping, birdwatching, hunting, fishingand canoeing on the Whirinaki River. Oneof the few ‘true’ five day loops in NZ. About100 kilometres from Rotorua.Information:Information:Information:Information:Information: Department of Conservation,State Highway 38, Murupara.Ph: (07) 366 1080Fax: (07) 366 1082

Te Urewera National Park(Area: 212,672 hectares)

A vast, remote, forested wilderness withinreach of Rotorua (Murupara to LakeWaikaremoana takes around 2 hours 15mins), with a rich heritage of Maori historyand legend. The largest untouched stretchof native forest left in the North Island.Crystal clear lakes and rivers. Excellenttramping and short walks through luxuriantforest, including the 45 kilometre LakeWaikaremoana Track. Birdwatching,hunting, fishing, canoeing and boating.Information:Information:Information:Information:Information: Aniwaniwa Visitor CentrePh: (06) 837 3803 Fax: (06) 837 3722State Highway 38, AniwaniwaEmail: urewerainfo@doc.govt.nz

Egmont National Park(Area: 33,169 hectares)

Centred around the volcanic cone of MtTaranaki/Egmont, this park has up to 200kilometres of walks and tracks. Montaneforest, volcanic landforms, mountainstreams and waterfalls, and alpineherbfields. Snow, ice and rock climbingand a skifield. Panoramic views from thesummit which is an 8-hour alpine climb.Only 30 kilometres from New Plymouth.Major tramping opportunities in the parkinclude the 3-4 day Around the MountainCircuit and the premier two day PouakaiCircuit from North Egmont.Note:Note:Note:Note:Note: The mountain weather can be harshand changeable. Care is needed abovethe bushline at all times.Information:Information:Information:Information:Information: North Egmont Visitor Centre,Egmont Road, Egmont Village, RD6 Inglewood.Ph: (06) 756 0990 Fax: (06) 756 0991email: nevc@doc.govt.nzDawson Falls Visitor CentreRD 29 Kaponga Taranaki, HaweraPh: (025) 430 248

Whanganui National Park(Area: 74,231 hectares)

A park based around the historicWhanganui river in a rugged setting ofdense forest, Maori historic sites andabandoned farm settlements. Accessibleby road or jet boat. Excellent long distancecanoeing suitable for novices andexperienced canoeists, and jet boating.Short walks and longer tramps throughwild lowland forests, including theMatemateaonga and Mangapurua tracks,also hunting.NoteNoteNoteNoteNote: Check river conditions whenplanning a canoe trip. Be prepared tochange your plans if the river is rising or inflood.Information: Information: Information: Information: Information: Department of Conservation, 74Ingestre Street, WanganuiPh: (06) 345 2402 Fax: (06) 345 8712

Tongariro National Park(Area: 79, 598 hectares)

Tongariro National Park is New Zealand’soldest national park. The park is also aWorld Heritage Area. A spectacular alpinepark with 3 active volcanoes - MtRuapehu, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe.The landscape includes lava flows, activecraters, hot springs, lakes, grasslands,forest and alpine herbfields. Welldeveloped facilities enable year-roundwalking and tramping, including theTongariro Crossing and the NorthernCircuit. Winter skiing, mountain, ice androck climbing are well catered for.Note: Be prepared for harsh andchangeable weather at these higheraltitudes.Information:Information:Information:Information:Information: Whakapapa Visitor CentreWhakapapa Village, Mount RuapehuPh: (07) 892 3729Email: whakapapavc@doc.govt.nz

Kaweka Forest Park(Area: 67,147 hectares)

Alpine shrublands, tussock valleys andbeech forests with pockets of podocarpare the predominant features of this backcountry park. The park offers rafting,canoeing, hunting and fishing, hot springsand tramping for both experiencedtrampers and day walkers. Picnic andcamping spots at road-ends. Be preparedfor rapid weather changes.Information:Information:Information:Information:Information: Department of Conservation,Hawkes Bay Area Office,59 Marine Parade, Napier.Ph: (06) 834 3111 Fax (06) 834 4869email: napier-ao@doc.govt.nz

Kaimanawa Forest Park(Area 76,348 hectares)

A remote rugged mountain wilderness,accessible from Turangi and off the Taupo/

Napier highway (SH5). Plenty of scopefor hunting, wilderness tramping,fishing, rafting and canoeing.Information:Information:Information:Information:Information: Department ofConservation, Turanga Place, Turangi.Ph: (07) 386 8607

Ruahine Forest Park(Area:93,068 hectares)

Rugged ranges with a network oftramping tracks and huts throughthe forest, river valleys, tussockand open tops. Hunting, trampingriverside camping and fishing. Theeastern side of the range ismanaged from Hawkes Bay andthe western side from PalmerstonNorth. Two very popular tracksrecommended for family groupsare Sunrise Track in the east andRangiwahia in the west, bothtraverse lowland podocarp forestto alpine pasture.Note:Note:Note:Note:Note: The weather on the tops canbe very severe. Be well prepared atall times of the year.Information:Information:Information:Information:Information: Department ofConservation, Hawkes Bay Area Office,59 Marine Parade, Napier.Ph: (06) 834 3111 Fax (06) 834 4869email: napier-ao@doc.govt.nzDepartment of Conservation,Palmerston North Area Office,717 Tremaine Avenue, PalmerstonNorthPh: (06) 350 9700 Fax (06) 350 9701email: tgilbertson@doc.govt.nz

Rimutaka Forest Park(Area: 19,670 hectares)

Popular recreational park only 45 minutesfrom Wellington City, with walks and tracksto suit everyone, including the RimutakaIncline Walk, following a historic rail link.Turakirae Head Scientific Reserve and sealcolony nearby on the coast. Campground,barbeque and picnicking with goodfacilities. Choice of five bush huts for easyovernight trips.Information:Information:Information:Information:Information: Conservation Information Centre,Old Government Buildings, Lambton Quay,Wellington.Ph: (04) 472 7356email: wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz

TaongaAotearoa’s parks and protected areas aretaonga (treasures) of irreplaceable value.Many contain features of great historic andspiritual significance to the Maori peoplewho have lived here for over a thousandyears. New Zealand’s first national park,Tongariro, was gifted to the people of NewZealand in 1887 by the paramount chief ofNgati Tuwharetoa, Te Heuheu Tukino IV.It was the fourth national park to be setaside anywhere in the world.

World Heritage AreasFive of New Zealand’s national parks liewithin two of New Zealand’s WorldHeritage sites. World Heritage is a globalconcept that identifies natural and culturalsites of world significance, places sospecial that protecting them is of concernfor all people. Westland/Tai Poutini,Fiordland, Aoraki/Mount Cook and MountAspiring, are included in Te Wähipounamu- South West New Zealand World HeritageArea. Tongariro National Park is includedfor its natural and cultural values. NewZealand’s sub-antarctic islands are also aWorld Heritage Area.

New Zealand Parks offer· An amazing variety of landscapes, from

mangrove forests in the north to fiordsand glaciers in the south.

· Unique plants and animals, such askauri, pohutukawa and totara, kiwi,takahe and kea.

· Features from New Zealand’s Maori andcolonial past.

· Year-round recreation, with adventureand enjoyment for people of all ages.

Coromandel Forest Park

Kaweka Forest Park. Photo: Matt Ward

Cape Rodney to Okakari Point Marine Reserve - Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

“No country onearth can appearwith a more ruggedand barren aspectthan this doth from thesea for as far as theeye can reach nothingis to be seen but thesummits of theserocky mountains”

— Log of James CookMarch 1770

Tongariro National Park

“What NewZealand

conservationistshave done is to

demonstrate thatyou have to be

strong, you have tobe decisive,... you

have to dosomething.”

— Sir DavidAttenborough, at the

opening of the RotoitiNature Recovery

Project in 1997

Rangitoto Island - Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

Marine Reserve - Hauraki Gulf Marine ParkPhoto: Peter Thompson

A

Published by the Department of ConservationAuckland Conservancy 1December 2002.Revised June 2003. Crown Copyright.Images not attributed are from DOC archives.

Hauraki GulfMarione

“The whole of this day we have enjoyed nobleviews of the splendid mountain, the monarch of Taranaki”

— Bishop Selwyn, 1842

Tararua Forest Park(Area: 116,627 hectares)

Within easy reach of Wellington, Mastertonand Palmerston North. The ruggedforested interior offers a wide variety ofovernight tramping. Plenty of short walks,picnic and camping spots near the edgesof the park.Note:Note:Note:Note:Note: The weather on the tops can besevere. Be well prepared at all times of theyear.InformationInformationInformationInformationInformation:ConservationInformation Centre,Old GovernmentBuildings, LambtonQuay, Wellington.Ph: (04) 472 7356email: wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz

Pohutukawa

Aorangi (Haurangi) Forest Park(Area: 19,373 hectares)

Remote forested and scrub-coveredranges suitable for hunters andexperienced trampers with their owntransport. Spectacular coastline and sealcolony near Cape Palliser. Coastal campingand fishing, and several short walks,including one to an unusual rock formation,the Putangirua Pinnacles.InformationInformationInformationInformationInformation: Conservation Information Centre,Old Government Buildings, LambtonQuay,Wellington.Ph: (04) 472 7356email: wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz

Tararua Peaks Ladder,Tararua Forest Park

Whakatane River valley,

Te Urewera National ParkPhoto: Matt Ward

Photo: Matt Ward

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