Kaitoke Regional Park
https://archive.gw.govt.nz/Kaitoke
Kaitoke Regional Park
Waterworks Road, SH2, Upper Hutt
The main entrance is at Kaitoke. Turn left off SH2 at Waterworks Road, 12km north of Upper Hutt. The park entrance is 1km from the highway.
For more information about other entrances check the Getting there tab in left hand menu.
Opening hours
6am till 6pm (1 April - 30 Sept) or 9pm (1 Oct - 31 March)
Dogs are welcome.
Fireworks are prohibited in all Regional Parks and Forests
Park notices
Find all current park notices on the new Greater Wellington website.
About
Only 45 minutes north of Wellington City, the spectacular Kaitoke Regional Park covers 2860 hectares in the Tararua Ranges foothills. Steep, bush-clad hills, the Hutt River gorge and centuries-old rata, rimu and beech forest feature in this magnificent natural setting.
Swim in tranquil river pools or explore forest tracks, some suitable for wheelchairs. Dare the swing bridge, or walk the Ridge Track for wonderful views of the Upper Hutt valley, visit the magical spot used as a set for Rivendell in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Campers can pick a spot near the Pakuratahi River, offering quality facilities with drinking water, toilets, power outlets and electric bbq’s. Campfires are permitted at Kaitoke, but only on the riverbed and away from tent sites.
Things to do
Park history
Kaitoke weir
The Kaitoke area has a rich history for both Maori and other New Zealanders. The Whakataka Pa is said to have been in existence in 1820 at the Mangaroa River-Hutt River junction (Te Marua). A number of early Maori routes from Wairarapa to Wellington crossed the Pakuratahi flats. By 1856 a road was opened to connect the fertile plains of the Wairarapa with the port of Wellington.
