There are many opportunities for fishing in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park on both the west coast and Manuaku Harbour. Please follow safety guidelines when rock fishing.

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Horse riding

Only permitted at Pae o Te Rangi farm land. The entrance is off 114 Te Henga Road near the intersection with Bethells Road. There are a range of farm tracks across gentle rolling farmland with magnificent views across the Waitakeres and west coast.

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Picnics

This is where a description of picnicing in the Waitakeres needs to go. This same description will appear in the pop up on the park page.

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Sightseeing

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Surfing

The West Coast offers many great surf spots.

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Swimming

Many of the West Coast beaches offer swimming opportunities - but please only swim between the flags and while lifeguards are on duty. Cornwallis and Huia offer calmer swimming conditions.

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Tour operators

Please visit the commercial activities pages to find details of companies offering tours and activities in Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.

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Volunteering

There are volunteering opportunities available at Whatipu, Piha, Karekare, Arataki Visitor Centre, Huia and the Cascades. Please contact Arataki Visitor Centre for further information.

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Walks (1 hour or more)

The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park has over 250km of walking and tramping tracks to explore. Click here to view all tracks within the park.

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Walks (less than 1 hour)

The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park has over 250km of walking and tramping tracks to explore. Click here to view all tracks within the park.

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Wildlife

The Waitakere Ranges offers many opportunities to enjoy New Zealand's unique flora and fauna.

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Waitakere Ranges

Ark in the Park

Ark in the Park is a Forest and Bird, Waitakere Branch "Auckland Naturally" project partnered by the Auckland Regional Council.

Since January 2003 the community volunteer based project has achieved over 1000 hectares of predator controlled parkland, situated in the Cascades Kauri Park, Waitakere Ranges.

The aim is to control pests and predators and restore the area to its former glory, enhancing the current biodiversity and returning lost species. Whitehead were returned to the area in August 2004, North Island robin in 2005 and this year 60 hihi (stitchbird) were transferred from Tiritiri Matangi Island.

A detailed Restoration Plan is being completed which aims to update our original Strategic and Operational Plans (2002). The Restoration Plan focuses on the ecological plans for the project. We will be holding a meeting of stakeholders in the near future to discuss the draft plan.

Check out the latest Ark in the Park newsletter.

How can you help?

The project relies on volunteers to help achieve its goals. Join them at 9am every 1st and 3rd Saturday and 9.30am every 2nd and 4th Sunday morning of each month and lend a hand - keep fit and do your bit! There are plenty of tasks for those less keen or able to get out into the bush.

Donations or a regular automatic payment can be set up through our Help a Hectare scheme. Details are on the Ark in the Park website - www.arkinthepark.org.nz

To volunteer simply contact:

Karen Colgan (09) 837 0443 karen@colgan.co.nz or;
John Sumich (09) 818 5267 cjnk@xtra.co.nz or;

Ark in the Park
C/- Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand
PO Box 108055, Symonds St, Auckland 1150
Direct Dial (09) 302 3902
Email: arkinthepark@forestandbird.org.nz

Ark in the Park website

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