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Section 4 of 93 · Northland

Mangakaretu to Kerikeri

Distance
26.5 km
Time
1 day
Grade
Easy
Ascent
220 m
High point
342 m
Type
Day walk

Walking this section

Introduction

Te Araroa section: This route passes through farmland and pine forest and affords sweeping views of the Bay of Islands before arriving at the Kerikeri Basin, where Māori welcomed missionaries in 1819 to establish a Church Mission Settlement. Beautiful Kerikeri is one of New Zealand’s most historic sites.

Please note, there is no camping between Puketi and Kerikeri (24km)

Mangakaretu track - 18km / 6 hrs to SH10 overbridge and picnic area

From Puketi recreation area campsite, walk out to Waiare road and turn right. Follow Waiare Road south for 2 km until you cross a small road bridge and then come to the start of the Upper Puketotara track on your left (km 201). This is an easy tramping track about 4km through to Mangakaretu Road at kilometre 205.3. You will be walking alongside a stream in QE2 reserve until you reach a fence corridor leading to Mangakaretu Road between bull paddocks. About the halfway point there is a pleasant waterfall area where you could stop for a snack. 

Note. The Mangakaretu tracks pass alongside and between bull paddocks. It is essential to stay on the track, keep steadily moving, and to avoid wearing bright-coloured clothing.

Potential Hazards

  • unstable ground, erosion, sinkholes - take care in soft ground
  • Steep drop-offs,  Occasional washouts next to rivers/streams - take care
  • Farming operations
  • Electric fencing

At times Landcorp may close this Upper Track for farming operations (see trail status alerts). If  signage indicates that the Upper Track is closed, continue south down Waiare Road for another 3 km to the crossroads with Puketi Road and Puketotara Road. Turn left (east) and follow Puketotara Road for 2.5 km to the intersection with Mangakaretu Road. The signpost shows Kerikeri ahead, but the trail turns left (north) up Mangakaretu Road for 1.5 km to rejoin the route at kilometre 205.3 

Follow the gravel Mangakaretu Road 5 km in a northeast direction before meeting the Lower Puketotara farm track at a marked stile on the left at km 210.1. 

At times Landcorp may close this Lower Puketotara farm track for farming operations (see trail status alerts). If  signage indicates that the Lower Track is closed, continue south down Mangakaretu Road for another 2.7 km to the junction with Puketotara Road. Turn left (east) and follow Puketotara Road for 4.7 km to the intersection with State Highway 10. Then turn left for 600m to rejoin the route at the SH10 parking bay/picnic area.

If the Lower Puketotara track is not closed, proceed across the stile and into the farm as follows.
Follow the narrow track northeast for about 500m, then turn southeast immediately after the stile to follow the fenceline around and then down through the pine forest. Then turn east to sidle around Maungaparerua (241m), with its wide outlook across the Bay of Islands.

Watch out for the farm animals. Move gently. When going past a herd of heifers or steers, be steadfast but wary as they are excitable.

Kerikeri River Track — 7km / 2 hours 

Use the stile from the picnic area on SH10 and follow the Te Araroa and orange track markers around a private residence before coming back alongside the Kerikeri River.

Continue following orange markers through pleasant tōtara groves alongside the river for 3km until joining with the Department of Conservation’s Kerikeri Walkway near Rainbow Falls Rd. There, one can view the 27m high Rainbow Falls that tumble over the basalt lava fields which flowed into the river valley after long past volcanic eruptions. 

From then on, the track is a well-developed and marked bush track. It passes through stands of young kauri and tōtara. It also passes the remains of a powerhouse built as part of a hydroelectric generation scheme which operated between 1930-67. 

Follow this track to the picnic area/carpark area on Landing Road, then cross the footbridge over the river to New Zealand’s oldest house, Kemp House (1821-22) and the world-renowned Stone Store (1832-36) on the Kerikeri Basin.

Getting there

Northern Start: Puketī Recreation Centre, Waiare Road

Southern End: Stone Store, Kerikeri Basin

Elevation 220 m ascent · 9–342 m
0 km 26.5 km
GPX Full trail map

Track conditions

Track Standard: Easy tramping track

Potential Hazards

  • Vehicles on road or track
  • Farming operations
  • Electric fencing
  • Small stream crossings
  • Open drains
  • Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
  • unstable ground, erosion, sinkholes - take care in soft ground
  • Steep drop-offs, Occasional washouts next to rivers/streams - take care
  • Farming operations
  • Electric fencing

Transport

Mangakaretu Track alternative bypass route: Puketotara connection

  • From the Puketi Recreation Centre, follow Waiare Rd south for 5kms
  • Turn east onto Puketotara Rd for 13.5kms to SH 10.
  • Turn north on SH 10 for 600m. On the eastern side of the road, just over the bridge and on the north banks of the Kerikeri River is the picnic layover (no facilities).

Kerikeri

Accommodation

  • Hone Heke Lodge Flashpackers has been welcoming TA Walkers have the last 10 years and we are looking forward to the 2026 walkers arriving from September. 

    We recommend booking early to secure a spot for you/your group at this busy, super friendly hostel. Welcome to send your bounce boxes in advance (please email us). Check our reviews on Trip Advisor. Shuttle & accommodation package available on select dates -contact us. E: stay@honeheke.co.nz P: 09 407 8170/ text 027 414 4222

  • KeriCentral Hostel - KeriCentral is a vibrant yet homely hostel/guesthouse located right in the centre of town. 150mtrs from restaurants, cafes, bus stop and shopping. Multiple outdoor entertaining areas, swimming pool, pool table, two kitchens and bbq area all at your convenience. With our limited beds in our dorm rooms and private rooms available you can be assured you’ll have a restful sleep after a long day of tramping. We look forward to being part of your NZ adventure. Contact - 027 800 8067 or email on info@kericentral.co.nz

Kerikeri Trail Host

  • Kerikeri hiker accommodation on Alderton Drive, near km 225
    • 2 campsites next to the Olive tree or camping on the deck in a sheltered corner.
    • A single or queen bed accommodation in my home for those who prefer inside comfort Both come with: fresh linen, hot shower, toilet, free wifi and recharge plugs, overnight fridge space, safe lockup, usually a bowl of fruit, local and where possible onward advice.
    • I charge $10 for outdoors and $25 for indoors.  Call Aly Craig M: 021 897 197

     

  • Kerikeri hiker accommodation on Waitotara Drive, just off the Kerikeri River Track at km 218
    • We offer a beautiful lawn with lots of space for tents and can also if the weather is not nice offer you inside accommodation.  You will have access to bathroom and laundry facilities. 
    • A lovely outdoor area and swimming pool that hikers are welcome to use.  Hot drinks and snacks available.  Happy for hikers to have an extra day after coming thru Puketi Forest. 
    • We can do pickups/dropoffs into town and also from the Kerikeri Airport.
    • We charge $15.00 per hiker.  Please  phone Robby 021 023 21384 or Jeff  027 445 7136.

Food and supplies