Arataki Visitor Centre
Arataki Visitor Centre is the gateway to the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.
- 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 Auckland Council.
- 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.
Visitor Centre opening hours
1 September - 30 April
9:00am to 5:00pm (closed Christmas day)
1 May - 31 August
10:00am to 4:00pm (Monday - Friday)
9:00am to 5:00pm (Saturday and Sunday)
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.
A 12 metre pou (guardian post), carved by the people of Te Kawerau a Maki and depicting their ancestors, stands at the entrance to the visitor centre. This pou, unveiled by Kiingi Tuheitia (the Maori King) in 2011, replaced the building’s original carving that had become irreparably damaged by weather over time.
The carvings remind us of the importance of our native forest and the relationship we all have with it. They tell the stories of Te Kawerau a Maki, as local mana whenua or guardians of the land.
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.
The ancestors on the pou
The oldest ancestor at the top of the pou is Tiriwa. His name was given to the whole of west Auckland, known as Te Waonui a Tiriwa or the great forest of Tiriwa.
The second figure represents Hape, the senior priest on board the Tainui canoe. He played a big role in the area, naming places like Titirangi, Piha, Te Wai o Rakataura (Mt Albert) and Te Tatua o Riukiuta (Three Kings).
The third figure is Hoturoa, the captain of the Tainui canoe. The old name for the Manukau Harbour is Te Manukanuka o Hoturoa, representing the anxiety of Hoturoa when he had to cross Manukau Harbour's bar.
The fourth figure represents Maki, who Tamaki Makaurau is named after.
The fifth figure is Te Kawerau a Maki, from whom the tribe takes its name. He is also a son of Maki.
The bottom figure is Te Au o Te Whenua, who held the mana from Whatipu in the south to Muriwai in the north. It is from this ancestor that Te Kawerau a Maki gets the Mana Whenua status of this region.
