Whitireia Park

http://www.gw.govt.nz/whitireia-park

Parks and recreation » Whitireia Park

Parks and recreation

Whitireia Park

Whitireia Road, Titahi Bay

The main entrance to the park is via Whitireia Rd Titahi Bay. Turn off State Highway 1 at Porirua and follow Titahi Bay Road, to the end of Main Road, turn right into Bay Drive and then left into Thornley Street. Thornley St becomes Transmitter St, then turn left into Whitireia Road to enter the park.

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

Opening hours

8am till dusk

Road Upgrade Works

A programme of road maintenance and upgrade is due to get underway from Monday 27 May and continues through to Friday 14 June 2013 weather permitting.

During this time visitors to the Park may encounter traffic control measures or temporary road closures while work is undertaken.  Contractors will endeavour to minimise the inconvenience during this time and signage will be in place.

We appreciate your patience while this important work is undertaken.  For further enquiries please contact the Upper Hutt Depot on 04 526 4133.

 

 

Whitireia Park is a headland with commanding views over Mana Island, Porirua Harbour and its surrounding area. The park comprises around 180 hectares of predominantly open space grasslands with a remnant patch of native bush.  It provides leisure activities such as fishing, mountain biking, horse riding, rock climbing and walking.  The park also provides a unique opportunity for people to undertake a variety of  leisure activities in or on the water including swimming, kite surfing and diving. 

Things to do

Recreation

Whitireia bay overview

read more »

Park history

From the mid-1820s the area was dominated by the Ngati Toa tribe of Te Rauparaha who had come south from Kawhia and conquered the area. Evidence of Maori occupation, in the form of kumara-growing terraces above the cliffs, can still be seen today.

The anchor stone of the canoe of legendary Maori explore Kupe is believed to have lain near Paremata for centuries. Kupe left the stone, named Maungaroa, to mark the spot where his canoe returned after floating out to sea. The stone was respected by Maori tribes over the centuries, but during the 1840s British troops stationed at Porirua broke chips off it. When some of them later drowned in the harbour it was seen by some Maori as punishment for their act of sacrilege. The stone is now housed in the National Museum in Wellington.

 

More... 

Get in touch

Ranger:
Simon Griffin
Phone: 04 830 4433
Fax: 027 223 7115
whitireiaranger@gw.govt.nz