Kaitoke Regional Park

Thanks to Kaitoke's role in providing water to Wellington, there are walks for all ages and levels of ability at the park. And you don't have to go far to see some of the most pristine lowland rainforest in the region.

Choose from hiking over the hills on the Ridge Track to wandering to the weir with a baby buggy - or something in between. Most walks can be done in street clothes; just wear comfortable shoes and take a snack and some water.

Kaitoke Regional Park Tracks and Trails

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date_range Published 09 Jun 2023

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Know before you go

Here are five essential steps for staying safe in the outdoors so you can have a great trip.

1. Choose the right trip for you - learn about the route and make sure you have the skills for it.
2. Understand the weather - it can change fast. Check the forecast and change your plans if needed.
3. Pack warm clothes and extra food - prepare for bad weather and an unexpected night out.
4. Share your plans and take ways to get help - telling a trusted person your trip details and taking a distress beacon can save your life.
5. Take care of yourself and each other - eat, drink and rest, stick with your group and make decisions together.

Short walks

Longer walks and hikes

Walks for people with moderate fitness. Wear sturdy shoes and take a waterproof jacket, food and water.

See more Walking and hiking

Mountain biking is only permitted in the Kaitoke Hill Plantation area of the park using Kaitoke Hill and Pylon Loop Tracks. To use the Te Marua entrance turn left off SH2 at Twin Lakes Road, Te Marua, 5km north of Upper Hutt. These tracks are multiuse so be aware of walkers and horse riders.

Kaitoke Regional Park Tracks and Trails

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date_range Published 09 Jun 2023

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See more Mountain biking

Dogs are currently welcome at Kaitoke if kept under control. Please pick up any dog waste and pay attention to any signs requiring your dog to be on a leash.

Kaitoke Regional Park Dog rules

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date_range Published 30 Aug 2022

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You can ride horses on the Kaitoke Hill and Pylon Loop tracks in the plantation forest at Te Marua.

Horse float parking is available at the Te Marua entrance, Twin Lakes Road. A car park is located at the base of the last slope to the Te Marua Treatment Plant. From here past the locked gate gives access to the Pylon Loop and Kaitoke Hill Tracks, and then via the State Highway 2 underpass to tracks in the Pākuratahi Forest.

You need a permit and key to ride for this area as well.

Apply for permit

You need to have a horse riding permit and a keys for gate. The permit is valid for 1 year. 

Apply online 

Once you have a permit you can collect keys from our Upper Hutt office.

Safety in the Regional Park

Weather conditions can change quickly:

• Check the weather forecast
• Wear strong lace up footwear and carry warm and waterproof clothing and enough food and water for your trip
• Carry sun protection and a first aid kit
• Plan your route and let someone know of your intentions
• Be aware that tracks are shared with pedestrians and mountain bikers. Show consideration to other users.

Things to keep in mind

• Follow the parks care code
• Please dismount and lead your horse through the State Highway 2 underpass

Tracks

The Kaitoke Hill and Pylon Loop tracks follow the gravel roads throughout the pine tree plantation above the Te Marua treatment plant. They can be ridden as a loop, out and back the same way, or as a link via the underpass of State Highway 2 to the Pākuratahi Forest tracks at Station Drive by crossing Kaitoke Loop road.

Kaitoke Regional Park Tracks and Trails

Read more here

date_range Published 09 Jun 2023

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Events

Please contact the ranger at kaitoke.ranger@gw.govt.nz prior to planning any horse riding events to discuss parking areas and track usage. If you want to use both Pākuratahi and Kaitoke, contact the Upper Hutt office in the first instance.

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The Hutt River has several deep swimming pools. Take care, the water is cold and can be swift.

The Pākuratahi River and Farm Creek offer shallower paddling and swimming spots suitable for younger children. There are changing facilities at the Pākuratahi Forks carpark, under the bridge to Rivendell.

Check our Is it Safe to Swim? information to check water quality and toxic algae levels. Toxic algae can be fatal to dogs if eaten.

Read the four simple rules to help keep you safe in the water on the AdventureSmart website. 

See more Swimming

Kaitoke is well known for its beautiful picnic areas, on the river terraces and near the bush edges at the Pākuratahi entrance.

Portable gas barbecues may only be used in the picnic and camping areas. Drinking water and electric barbecues are available in the campground shelters. The barbecues are free to operate - just push the button to get them started.

Groups of 25 or more may book the large barbecue shelter for a flat fee of $40.

Apply to book the BBQ shelter

Open fires are permitted on the riverbed only. Please bring your own firewood.

See more Picnics

Escape the concrete jungle for the Kaitoke forest and come camping in the park. Pick a spot next to the Pākuratahi River, and enjoy the feeling of freedom, without having to leave the region. 

Camping is available on a first come first served basis. There is no booking of tent or powered campsites. Camping is open 365 days a year. Be aware that the campground will be crowded between Christmas New Year,  on Wellington Anniversary weekend and Waitangi Weekend.

Kaitoke Regional Park camping map

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date_range Published 11 Dec 2023

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Facilities

There are four buildings located in the campground with basic facilities including:

• Treated drinking water
• Sinks
• Covered seating
• Power sockets
• Electric BBQs at no extra charge - please clean them after use

You can also bring your own portable gas BBQ for cooking. 

Campervans

There are six powered sites across from the Ranger's office, but campervans and caravans are welcome to park anywhere in the designated camping area.

There is no dumping station at Kaitoke. 

Fees

Unpowered sites

Powered sites

Pay using the Cloudpark machines at the information kiosks. Credit and Debit cards are accepted, but no EFTPOS. The Park Ranger checks all camping fees are paid daily.

Camping stay limits

You can stay up to:

• 40 days within a 12 month period,
• 14 days in the period between December 20 and January 31

Campfires

There's nothing quite like an open fire under the stars. Campfires are permitted at Kaitoke, but only on the river bed by areas 5, 7 & 9 and away from tent sites.

BYO firewood.

Noise

Please respect other campers and keep the noise levels down at all times. Amplified music, off at 10pm, no loud noise after 11pm.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome at the park, and welcome in the campground. You need to make sure your dog is under control at all times, which means they cannot wander through other campsites.

Keep your neighbours in mind and pick up your dog's droppings.

During summer when the campground is busy Park Rangers can require dogs to be on a lead.

Alcohol

Alcohol may be consumed responsibly by those over the age of 18. Underage drinking is not permitted in the park. Drunken and disorderly behaviour is not permitted and will result in eviction and trespass from the park. Fines of up to $20,000 apply. A total liquor ban is enforced on New Year's Eve.

Security

A Park Ranger lives on site and 24 hour ranger service is available to you. Don't hesitate to contact them if you need to. Call 0800 496 734.

The park opens at 6am and the main park gate at Waterworks Road is closed each night at 6pm (1 April - 30 Sept) or 9pm (1 Oct - 31 March). If you need to leave outside opening hours, drive up to the gate and it will open automatically.

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The undisturbed Hutt River Gorge between Pākuratahi Forks and Te Marua, with its exceptional water quality, pristine indigenous forest, large boulders and sides of sheer bedrock, is popular for whitewater rafting and kayaking.

To raft or kayak the gorge experience is necessary as the rapids at moderate flows can be grade 3 and the area is remote with only two exits points along this part of the river.

During the summer months flows are generally lower so the trip can take up to 6 hours depending on your craft and water flow, so start out before 10am.

Take extreme care as the gorge can be dangerous and beware of log jams. The Hutt Gorge is not a place for inexperienced paddlers as the only two exits in this section still require a 2-hour walk back to Kaitoke Park Campground or Te Marua and the remainder of the gorge it is difficult to climb out if trouble occurs. However, for people with the necessary skills, the Gorge offers a wonderful whitewater experience with plenty of small drops and "play waves" all surrounded by moss-covered walls and overhanging bush.

Take food, water, survival gear, lifejackets, helmet and wear a wetsuit as the water is cold even in summer. Let someone responsible know your intentions.

If you'd prefer a guide for your rafting experience, there are companies that offer guided rafting on this river. 

Stay safe on the water - find out more about keeping yourself and others safe. 

See more Rafting and kayaking

Professional ground and aerial ungulate control is undertaken in this area on a regular basis for protecting the biodiversity values of the ecosystem.

Hunters are welcome in much of Kaitoke Regional Park to help control deer, goats and pigs which harm native plants and wildlife.

A permit is needed to hunt here. You must show this permit if asked by a Greater Wellington Regional Council authorised officer.

Apply for a permit 

Sustainable deer hunting

In order to manage numbers of deer and keep their numbers at sustainable levels, the NZ Game Animal Council advises that hunters try to shoot two to three hinds for every stag that they shoot, and to target older stags rather than younger ones. Read their full letter for more information and advice. (PDF 260 KB)

Hunting area

North of the Hutt River deer, pig and goat can be hunted.

South of the Hutt River only pig can be hunted.

Kaitoke pig hunting map

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date_range Published 26 Oct 2021

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Things to keep in mind

• Stay 200m away from roads, tracks and private land boundaries in the designated hunting area
• During daylight hours only. Absolutely no spotlighting.
• Always obtain permission from landowners if you intend to cross private land
• Dog must be registered and the details lodged with Greater Wellington

Hunting safety

1. Identify your target beyond any doubt
2. Treat every firearm as loaded
3. Always point firearms in a safe direction
4. Load a firearm only when you are ready to fire
5. Check your firing zone
6. Avoid alcohol and drugs when using firearms
7. Keep your firearm unleaded outside the designated hunting area

See more Hunting

Photo courtesy of Helen Westerbeke

The rainforest at Kaitoke Regional Park provides a wonderful setting for weddings. You can hold your wedding ceremony, reception, or both in the park. There are three areas that we recommend for wedding celebrations:

Rivendell - this flat grassy site is surrounded by native bush and next to the home of the elves. Rivendell is the most popular wedding site in the Park.

Weir Picnic area - an intimate site, surrounded by centuries old Rimu trees.

Farm Creek Beech trees - overlooking the campground area this glade has a natural entrance way for the Wedding party's arrival.

We recommend that you hold a site visit with the Park Ranger as part of your planning. You will be able to visit the different sites, check availability, and ask any questions you may have.

Bookings and fees

Photo courtesy of Helen Westerbeke

Once you have met with the ranger and decided on your date, timings and site, you can make a booking by completing the Wedding Application form below.

Booking an area gives you exclusive use of a site. Fees are $200 for a wedding ceremony or reception and $500 for a ceremony and reception. Please find a Wedding Application form below.

Event Permit - Wedding at Kaitoke Regional Park

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date_range Published 06 Jul 2021

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Facilities

• All sites recommended for weddings have toilets and car parking nearby. Vehicle access may be arranged to the Rivendell site by discussion with the Park Ranger.
• There are no buildings in the park that are suitable to hold a wedding. The event will need to be outside or in marquees that you will need to supply.
• There is no power at any of the sites.
• Wedding celebrations are not permitted in the campground area.
• There are no rubbish bins in the park. You will need to take any rubbish with you when you leave.
• You will need to leave the site as you find it.

Alcohol

Alcohol may be consumed in a responsible manner by those over the age of 18. Drunk and disorderly behaviour is not permitted and will result in eviction and trespass from the park. This could result in fines of up to $20,000. A total liquor ban is enforced on New Year's Eve.

Wedding Photographs

There is no charge to take wedding photographs in the park. However, we do not reserve sites for photography only.

See more Weddings

So much of the work done in the regional parks wouldn't be possible without the help of people in our communities. If you want to contribute to the care of Kaitoke Regional Park, you can join one of our community groups.

Volunteering in our parks

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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 Pākuratahi flats. By 1856 a road was opened to connect the fertile plains of the Wairarapa with the port of Wellington.

Forests near what is now the park were important to early European settler communities, providing timber, farm supplies, water and transport routes. There is still evidence of the Benge homestead at Te Marua, while logging tramways can be found in the park along with abandoned machinery.

However, not all the forests were logged. In 1939 the untouched areas of Kaitoke Regional Park and the Hutt Water Collection Area were purchased to supply water to the Wellington region. World War II interrupted construction works and it was not until April 1957 that the dam-like water intake weir, an underground aqueduct and the first treatment plant were completed.

Since that time the Kaitoke area has been popular for picnicking and swimming. In 1976 the Wellington Regional Planning Authority identified the area as a potential regional park because of the unspoilt forests, as well as the recreational and educational opportunities. The park as it is now, began in 1983, with the aim of providing areas of open space for informal recreation.

Today, the Stuart Macaskill water storage lakes and treatment facilities supply water to Upper Hutt, Porirua and Wellington. Park visitors enjoy easy access to pristine lowland rainforest, landscaped picnic and camping areas, and an excellent track network suited to a wide range of ages and abilities.

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