Akatarawa Forest

Karapoti Road, Akatarawa, Upper Hutt, 5372

Turn off State Highway 2 at Akatarawa Rd towards Waikanae and follow for 6km. Turn left onto Karapoti Road and follow this to the park entrance.

For more information about other entrances check the Getting there tab in left hand menu.

Opening hours

Daily from 8am until dusk

Dogs are welcome. Please keep them under control and remove droppings. Dogs are not permitted, on the southern portion (Tulsa Park and Zig Zag entrance) of the Cannon Point Walkway as it crosses private land.
Fireworks are prohibited in all Regional Parks and Forest areas.

CAUTION Rock slip on Karapoti/Hukinga pass with care

Karapoti Road 50m north of McGheis Bridge Junction is blocked by a large rock slide. NO VEHICLE ACCESS

Caution - Minor track damage due to flooding between Birchville Dam and Bridge Road carpark. Take care.

Track Closure: Southern Hydro Road and Zig Zag

Track closed until further notice from Puketiro Road/Hydro Road junction to Hydro Saddle due to storm damage, significant surface erosion and slips.

Covering 15,000 hectares of wilderness area between Upper Hutt and the Kapiti Coast, Akatarawa Forest is a rugged blend of native and exotic forest. Mountain, quad and trail bikers find a variety of gentle and challenging routes along the tracks and old logging roads. Popular for horse riding, fishing, hunting and tramping, the Akatarawa Forest provides enjoyable and testing terrain for 4WD-vehicle club trips.

Things to do

Horse riding

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Hunting

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Motorised recreation

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Mountain biking and cycling

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Walking, running and tramping

Aka walking Birchville dam

Park history

History

The Akatarawa Forest covers hill country between Upper Hutt and Paraparaumu. Translated to English, Akatarawa means 'trailing vines'. Maori used the forest for hunting and food gathering as well as an access trail to and from the Hutt Valley. The indigenous (native) forest of the area, covering approximately 14,000 hectares, has changed considerably since European settlement. These changes have been brought about by the introduction of animals, fires and logging of native timber including rimu.

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Get in touch

Ranger:
Thane Walls
Phone: 0800 496 734
Fax: not available
forest.ranger@gw.govt.nz