Wenderholm
Cradled by the Puhoi and Waiwera Rivers, Wenderholm was the first Auckland Regional park and remains one of the most beautiful.
Its forested headland, rich in native birdlife is one of Auckland's finest examples. The historic Couldrey House sits in beautiful serene grounds, and a carved pouwhenua nearby welcomes visitors to Wenderholm.
There are ample sheltered grounds for picnics and games and the fine swimming beach draws the summer crowds. The park opened in 1965 and took its name from the historic homestead on site, which was formerly known as Wenderholm (winter home).
Park facilities
- Bach -
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- Camping -
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- Bookable Site -
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- Mobility access (partial)
For special access provisions contact us on 09 366 2000.
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- BBQ
A few electric and solid fuel BBQs are provided, but you need to supply your own wood or charcoal.
- Beaches
Wenderholm is a family friendly beach with a grassy picnic area and the shade of Pohutukawa trees.
- Boat ramp
Small to medium boats can launch either side of high tide.
- Campervan access
Summer and Winter: Self contained campervans can stay for 1 night in the SCC parking area. Winter Special: If the vehicle based campground is closed, self contained campervans can stay up to 3 nights in the SCC parking area
- Historic homesteads
- Interpretation
- Limited mobility parking
There are 2 designated car parks in the main carpark.
- Limited mobility toilet
There are 2 unisex wheelchair accessible toilets in the main block. In the northern block there is 1 male and 1 female wheelchair accessible toilet.
- Native bush
- Notice board
- Parking
Additional parking in Schiscka Block
- Picnic tables
The park has picnic sites, and can accommodate large group bookings.
- Potable water
- Pram access
Pram friendly park with access throughout the picnic area and the beach.
- Ranger contact phone
- Ranger office
- Sealed access road
- Security gates
- Toilet block
- Trailer and boat access
- Wharf / jetty
History
Maori lived here for close to 1000 years because of its plentiful natural resources. Wenderholm was the focal point of Maori settlement in the Mahurangi District and the site of an historic peace making agreement (mihirau) between the Kawerau and Hauraki tribes in the 1780s. Prominent Auckland politician and entrepreneur Robert Graham became the first European owner in 1868. Graham built a homestead (Wenderholm) on the flat, to use while he spent time at his Waiwera thermal resort in winter. The house is now known as Couldrey House after its last private owner. It has been restored and is run by volunteers as a museum, open to the public on weekends. Historic trees are also a feature at Wenderholm with Caucasian fir, bunya bunya pine, Moreton Bay fig, Holm oak, cork oak, magnolia, coral trees and others planted as long as the 1860s. Many of these were gifts to Robert Graham from Sir George Grey.
Read the PDF below to find out more about the history of Wenderholm:
Wildlife
The coastal forest on the Maungatauhoro ("mountain with the eroding cliffs") headland is a haven for native birds thanks to intensive pest control and a large-scale restoration of parts of the forest. Native pigeon (kereru) and tui abound at Wenderholm, feeding on the fruit of the forest. See the small, friendly North Island Robin (toutouwai), which has been reintroduced and is breeding successfully at the park. The rare fernbird and banded rail, which make their home in the Salt marsh on the Puhoi Estuary, are shy by comparison. Kookaburra, some say descended from the birds released by NZ Governor George Grey on Kawau Island in the 1870s, are still seen and heard in the trees around Wenderholm.
Native bush
Kowhai on the north facing slopes drip with yellow blooms in spring. Pohutukawa blaze red in summer lighting up the ridgeline and the low-laying sandspit which features a grove said to be one of the oldest planted.
