Walking this section
Introduction
Te Araroa section: Te Araroa's Auckland region begins at Mangawhai Heads, a popular holiday and surf destination accessible by road. From there, it is a long, scenic, beach walk to another holiday settlement of Pākiri
Mangawhai Heads to Pakiri - 30km
From Mangawhai Heads carpark, follow the road to the walkway by 44 Wintle Street, which leads down to the estuary. Follow the estuary past a camping ground, two boat ramps and a grass carpark. Then immediately after a colourful toilet, head up wooden steps to a short clifftop walk past holiday homes and you will reach Robert Street reserve. Head inland now onto Wood Street, pass several shops, and then head left into Molesworth Drive. Immediately after crossing the estuary, the trail leaves Molesworth Drive to follow the Back Bay Boardwalk for 1km, bypassing a busy road to enjoy the coastal wetlands on a path built by local volunteers. The route returns to Molesworth Drive to continue until reaching Mangawhai Village. Then a right into Moir Street, left into Insley Street and across the estuary, then left into Black Swamp Road. Follow this road until reaching Pacific Road, which leads you through a forestry block to the beach and the next stage of Te Araroa.
Once on the beach, just 1km south a stream cuts across the beach and it can go over thigh height, as can other water crossings on this track. Follow the coast southwards for another 2km, then take the track over Te Ārai Point. Track markings near Te Arai Point may be difficult to follow. Take extra care.
Once back on the beach, continue south for 12km (fording Poutawa Stream on the way). As you walk this beach, south of Poutawa Stream it is essential to stay below the mean high tide line to respect private property rights in this area which extend to the mean high-water mark. As you approach the Pākiri River, continue down the ocean side of the beach and cross the river at its mouth. This should be done within 90 minutes either side of low tide to ensure it's safe and possible. Check the tide chart here. NOTE: Do not turn inland before crossing the river. The spit is fenced off for the protection of Tara-iti nesting sites. After crossing, turn inland and loop back toward the holiday park. Cross the small tidal steam and follow the short track along the holiday park fence line that will lead you up to Pākiri River Road.
Environment
This section of coastline is home to two of only four nesting sites for Tara-iti (NZ Fairy Tern). With just 40 adults in the wild and 9 breeding pairs, they are likely New Zealand's most endangered indigenous breeding bird. Nesting in a small scrape in the sand, these delicate sea birds are very vulnerable. Nest sites are roped off and signs erected to alert people to the area. If you see these sites, please keep clear and give them space. The constantly changing shape of the river mouth has eroded part of last season's preferred nesting area so the birds may be looking for a new site. Please respect any local signage or fencing and keep clear.
Department of Conservation staff and volunteers are on site during the breeding season raising awareness with people who use the beach.
To learn more about the efforts of DOC and their partners to protect Tara-iti, check out the links below:
Getting there
Track conditions
No dogs allowed
Lower tide best: check best times for walking on Mangawhai Spit
Warning; when heavy rain & high tide coincide these rivers can be deep - never cross flooded rivers.
*Please take care all the way down the beach and avoid entering taped/marked nesting sites of tara-iti, particularly if needing to venture upstream to cross. Where possible, avoid the sand-dune area completely.
Transport
Unfortunately, long haul bus services pass by 19kms away at Kaiwaka so getting to Mangawhai would necessitate a pre-arranged pick up by a willing accommodation provider - see local transport below.
Local transport
Leabourn Shuttles P: 09 423 7416 - E: info@leabourn.co.nz
Accommodation
Mangawhai Heads
- Mangawhai Heads Motel or Camping Ground - 2 Mangawhai Heads Rd, Mangawhai Heads - P: 09 431 4675
- Fairways B&B - 240 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Heads - P: 09-431 4042 or 021 619 311 - E: cleaver@fairways.co.nz
- Mangawhai Lodge - 4 Heather St, Mangawhai Heads - P: 09 431 5311 - info@seaviewlodge.co.nz
Mangawhai Village
- Riverside Holiday Park - 41 Black Swamp Rd - P: 09 431 4825 - E: office.riverside@xtra.co.nz - tent sites, caravans, units, kitchen, laundry, wifi and TV/games room.
- Mangawhai Travellers Rest — 4 Insley St, Mangawhai Village (opp SuperValue) — P: 09 431 5389, 021 023 77242 (Alan/Lisa) — E: mangawhaitravellersrest@gmail.com — $20 per person inside, $15 per person camping, and a private room for two for $50 — Includes free wifi, recharging, shower and toilet.
Mangawhai Village Trail Hosts
- Mangawhai Camping - We have a basic cottage and tenting with water, electricity and toilet in our small orchard at the Mangawhai village close to Shops and food. Koha of $10pp appreciated. Call first please on Oh too one, 796 496. Your hosts - Mark and Kerry
Te Arai Point
- Car parking, toilets and picnic areas.
- No tenting allowed. There is a small SCC campground (up to 10 SCC campervans) for SCC campervans only, pre-booking through the Auckland Council is required.
Pākiri
- Pākiri Beach Holiday Park - 261 Pakiri River Rd, Pākiri P: 09 422 6199 E: info@pakiriholidaypark.co.nz. Reception & Shop hours 9 am – 5:00 pm. Limited numbers of camp sites available for TA walkers at a reduced rate of $20.00 per person per night with a maximum of 6 people. Tents must be within the site markers. Shared cabins subject to availability $30 per night per person. Summer booking are very high, so we highly recommend booking in advance. The Christmas and New Year period is heavily booked and we may not be able to accommodate everyone. We have a communal kitchen with fridges and microwaves, and bathrooms, and laundry facilities available). Showers are 50c for 4 minutes and laundry is $2 per load
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The Pakiri Glade - 183 Rāhuikiri road, Pakiri beach. Access- walk up the drive and there is a sign where the cabin and tent sites are. This basic campsite offers places for tents with a simple compact cabin available also. There is a toilet (long drop) and drinkable water available. Campsites $20 per night. Cabin $35 per night. Phone Andy: 021 238 7269
Pakiri Ridge Trail Hosts
- Pākiri Paradise on the Ridge - 505 Rodney Road, Pakiri, phone 021 066 2108, osiewilk@xtra.co.nz - airbnb - Guest Room. Accepting campers and charging $10.00 pp for site and water. This is south of Pakiri, up the hill near km 490.4, 200m off trail.
Food and supplies
Mangawhai Heads
- 4 Four Square - 3 Wood Street, Mangawhai Heads - P: 09 431 4656
- Mangawhai Deli - Shop 2, 7 Wood Street, Mangawhai Heads - P: 09 431 5887
Mangawhai Village
- Supervalue - Moir Street, Mangawhai Village - P: 09 431 4585 Hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00am – 7:00pm
- New World supermarket - 83 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai. Hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00am – 9:00pm
Alerts
km 492.0
Pakiri Beach - Tara Iti Nesting
Please follow the mapped route as closely as possible in this area. The land on the North side of Pakiri Stream above the high tide mark is private land and is particularly reserved as a nest site for tara iti (NZ Fairy Tern), an endangered bird species that nests on the sand.
To avoid this, it is necessary to continue past the river mouth (southbound) before turning inland along the riverbank for 400 metres. After crossing the small tidal steam follow the short track away from the river and walk beside the holiday park boundary fence for 100 metres to the signpost. Cross the fence into the picnic area on the corner of Pakiri River Road.