Arataki Visitor Centre

• Want to know where to go and what to do in the Waitakere Ranges? Arataki Visitor Centre is your gateway to all that the park has to offer
• Talk to the expert park staff and get their recommendations on track conditions, weather or tides
• Pick up an information brochure or track map to help you find your way around the park
• Book a campsite or lodge accommodation
• Find out how you can become a volunteer and have fun while you help to protect and enhance the Waitakere Ranges
• Pick up information on any of Auckland's 26 regional parks managed by the ARC
• Phone the Arataki Visitor Centre on 09 817 0077.

Hillary Trail

The Hillary Trail is a four day, three night tramp through the Waitakere Ranges. Find out more about the Hillary Trail.

History

The Waitakere Ranges are rich in history. Te Kawerau a Maki occupied land from Whatipu to Muriwai, and have close ties with the land today. Ngati Whatua occupied land at Muriwai and also have close ties today.

The arrival of Europeans from the 1830s onwards meant huge changes. Thousands of native trees were logged and land was cleared for farming.

Several books outlining the history of the Waitakere Ranges are available at the Arataki Visitor Centre.

Carvings

Carvings created by local Iwi (tribe) Te Kawerau a Maki are a main feature of Arataki.

An 11m high pou (guardian post) once stood at the entrance of the visitor centre representing ancestors or Te Kawerau a Maki (pictured above). The pou has become damaged and has had to be removed. A delicate process, involving thorough research and intricate carving, is underway. This will see a new pou restored to the dominant position at the front of the building, to once again remind us of the importance of our native forest and the relationship we all have with it.

Like the original pou, its successor will tell the stories of Te Kawerau a Maki, the local mana whenua or guardians of the land. It will stand as a guardian of the Arataki Visitor Centre and surrounding areas. The whakairo (carvings) inside the building were carved out of two kauri trees taken from the great forest of Tiriwa (the Waitakere Ranges) by Te Kawerau a Maki and depict their illustrious ancestors.