Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Maori settlement in this area dates back 700 to 800 years. Te Kawerau a Maki people lived
between the Manukau Harbour in the south and Muriwai in the north, living off the bounty
from ocean and forest. This
iwi
(tribe) still holds strong spiritual ties to the land and has in-
herited the role of
kaitiaki
(guardians).
The arrival of Europeans in the 1830s led to the most visible change in the area. The log-
ging industry, and later farm clearance, saw native trees (including most accessible kauri)
felled and thousands of hectares of forest destroyed. Bushmen dammed streams to float logs
to the coast. They built several tramlines, including a 14km tramline down the coast from
Piha to Whatipu, which was used to transport kauri logs to a wharf at Paratutae Island. Re-
mains of the tramline can be seen on the coast between Karekare and Whatipu.
The park is home to numerous historic sites, from Maori
pa
sites to remnants of the log-
ging industry. Water was, and still is, a valuable resource in the area. Five major reservoirs
were built between 1910 and 1970 and these continue to supply metropolitan Auckland with
water today.
Waitakere Ranges Regional Park was formed over many years dating from 1900, when
the former Auckland City Council began purchasing land for water supply and because of
its scenic qualities. Originally named Auckland Centennial Memorial Park, it was estab-
lished in 1940 to mark 100 years since the city's founding. This was enlarged through many
generous gifts of land.
Environment
Volcanic eruptions under the sea 20 million years ago formed the backbone of the Waitakere
Ranges, and are responsible for its rugged terrain and sharp-edged ridges and peaks. The
highest point is only 474m - Te Toiokawharu, northwest of Huia on the Twin Peaks Track -
but trampers will find many steep climbs.
The ranges guard the western flank of the Auckland isthmus, and the prevailing wester-
lies have, in turn, created a rainforest from Whatipu as far north as Te Henga (Bethells
Beach). Few stands of virgin timber remain, but regrowth is vigorous along the west coast
and the regenerating forest is now a lush setting.
A century after being decimated by logging, kauri in the ranges is again at risk. Kauri die-
back is a fungus-like disease that is unique to kauri and kills trees of all ages and sizes.
Nearly all infected kauri will eventually die. The disease is present in the Waitakere Ranges
and spreads mainly through soil movement. Visitors to the ranges can help save NZ's iconic
trees by cleaning their shoes and equipment before and after they visit, staying on formed
