Walking this section
Introduction
Te Araroa section: Journey from historic Kerikeri through Kororipo Pa, Waitangi Forest and Mt Bledisloe to the iconic Treaty Grounds at Waitangi
Koropiro Pa Track - 1.5km
From the historic Kemp House and Stone Store on Kerikeri Basin, leave Kerikeri Road and follow the Kororipo Pā Track, which curves around the headland to the southeast.
Once on the headland, follow the wide pasture track southwest until a Department of Conservation marker post identifies a track heading southeast down into a gully and over a pedestrian bridge to Pā Road.
Walk southeast up Pā Road and turn northeast into Kerikeri Inlet Road. Continue for 2km to a forest gate and the northern end of Te Wairoa Road, the start of the Waitangi Forest Track. This route includes footpaths, grass, easy walking tracks and a road berm.
Waitangi Forest Track — 14.5km / 3 hours
As it leaves Kerikeri Inlet Road, the trail ascends gradually through young pines for 2.6 km to a road junction. Enter into Waitangi forest at Te Wairoa road entry point, then follow Te Wairoa Road, past Te Puke Road, until turning south on Bayly Road. (This replaces an earlier mapped route using Te Puke Road and Haruru Falls Road)
This forest has active logging operations. Be extremely careful of logging trucks and harvesting activities.
In partnership with Ngati Hapu Ki Waitangi:
- Wear a high-vis vest/jacket throughout the forest for personal safety and to increase walker visibility for logging truck drivers.
- Stay on the track and do not deviate from the track for your safety.
- Trees may be felled within two tree lengths of the track.
- Heed all signs and do not enter areas marked as closed.
- Be aware of tree felling within
At this point, anyone with interest in Te Araroa history may want to look out for a plaque and Te Araroa cairn on the side of the road with information about the trail, assembled from local volcanic rock by Kerikeri sculptor Chris Booth and restored in 2014. This marks the opening of this route; the very first Te Araroa track.
Continue on Te Puke Road 1km to pass Mt Bledisloe (105m) before turning east onto Haruru Falls Rd. Leaving the forest behind you, emerge onto Tau Henare Drive, Waitangi. Follow the road through the Waitangi Golf Course past the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and continue down to the Waitangi Bridge.
Getting there
Northern Start: Stone Store, Kerikeri
Southern End: Waitangi Bridge, Paihia
Track conditions
Track standard: easy tramping track
Potential hazards
- Vehicles on road or track
- Forestry operations
- Bikes and horses
Alerts
km 230.6–231.5 0.9 km of trail
Logging trucks on Te Wairoa Road
Northern Forest Manager have advised that extra care is needed for walkers on Te Wairoa Road where logging trucks are currently travelling between Marker 4, km 230.6 at Bedford Road, and Marker 5, km 231.5 at Todia Road.
km 236.5–241.5 5.0 km of trail
Te Wairoa Road replaces Te Puke Road and Haruru Falls Road
The Te Araroa route has changed to use Te Wairoa Road to Bayly Road. This replaces the previous turn onto Te Puke Road and Haruru Falls Road
At the forest road intersection at km 236.5, SOBO walkers should continue straight on Te Wairoa Rd for 5km to reach Bayly Road (just in front of the Waitangi Mountain Bike Park). Turn right and walk 1 km to then turn left on Tau Henare Drive and you'll be back on route.