East Harbour Regional Park

The 3 areas of East Harbour Regional Park offer distinct environments and terrain:  

• Northern Forest
• Parangarahu Lakes
• Baring Head

Northern Forest walks

Explore the numerous tracks that climb from the park entrances through regenerating bush up to and along the forested ridges. There are many lovely views to take in and each track has its own particular character and difficulty - from easy walking to challenging tramping tracks. The Butterfly Creek valley is a very popular picnic spot.

Parangarahu Lakes walks

The lakes and Pencarrow lighthouse are only accessible by foot or on bike. The Pencarrow Coast Road is a wide metalled track that runs south from Burdan's Gate. When you reach the Lighthouse Track you can head inland and up into the hills to see the lighthouse up close, and beautiful views of the lakes. 

Baring Head walks

Dogs are welcome in the Northern Forest but must be leashed. No dogs allowed in Baring Head or the Parangarahu Lakes.

Dogs must be on a leash on the Pencarrow Road south of Burdan's Gate to the lower Pencarrow Lighthouse between 31 October to 31 July. No dogs are allowed on the Pencarrow Road between 1 August to 30 October.

There is no public access between Lake Kohangatera, Parangarahu Lakes to Baring Head/Ōrua Pouanui (Fitzroy Bay) without the permission of the two private landowners. If you require access, please contact the Park Ranger at least one week prior to your trip. Clearly state the size of your group, date of your ride, contact phone number, and if you are on hired or private bikes. 

The 3 areas of East Harbour Regional Park offer distinct environments and terrain:  

• Northern Forest 
• Parangarahu Lakes
• Baring Head 

Before you go

• Know the code for riding mountain bikes in parks and forests.
• Tracks are shared with walkers and other cyclists, so keep this in mind and ride with care.
• The ride around the coast is flat, but very exposed, so be prepared for strong headwinds.
• If you don't have your own bike, you can rent one from the Bike Shed near Burdans Gate. They are 'Open from 10am - late, every day it's not raining sideways!' and can book online.
• There is no public access between Lake Kohangatera, Parangarahu Lakes to Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui (Fitzroy Bay) without the permission of the two private landowners. If you require access, please contact the Park Ranger at least one week prior to your ride. Clearly state the size of your group, date of your ride, contact phone number, and if you are on hired or private bikes. 

Coastal and lakes rides

From the southern end of Eastbourne you can ride to Parangarahu Lakes and Pencarrow lighthouse. Once you get to the Lighthouse Track you can head inland and up to the hills. These hills provide intermediate level mountain bike riding.

The Pencarrow Coast Road is a side mettled track that runs south from Burdan's Gate at the south end of Eastbourne. The hills above the Parangarahu Lake provide intermediate level mountain bike riding. There are not facilities and little shelter, so take food, drink warm clothing ans sun protection. Be prepared for strong headwinds.

Northern Forest rides

 Most bikers start at the Wainuiomata Hill Road and ride up Lowry trig before descending to the Zigzag or Rata Ridge entrances. 

Baring Head rides

The tracks and grassy terraces at Baring Head provide challenging terrain and generally rough surfaces, but the views of the south coast and Wellington will be worth it. You'll be sharing the tracks with walkers, so keep this in mind and ride with care.

As you pedal across the land, check out the historical sites and buildings and stop to take in the views.

In East Harbour Regional Park we do not recommend swimming in the sea south of Burdan’s Gate or in Gollan’s Stream near the Butterfly Creek picnic area.

You are welcome to swim in Butterfly Creek itself.

Baring Head also boasts the birthplace of New Zealand bouldering and has been a forging ground for some of New Zealand's best climbers.

The greywacke boulders and walls rise up to eight metres high while the sandy beach provides a coarse landing surface.

See Climb NZ for climbing information including where to find specific climbs and their difficulty levels. 

Baring Head, with its coastal landscape and spectacular views, is a popular spot for hang gliders and paragliders.

The Wellington Hang Gliding Paragliding Club (WHGPC) has permission to access the area for this purpose. There are a number of rules and requirements around using the airspace, and if people use the airspace without following the proper procedures, access to the airspace could be withdrawn.

If you are interested in paragliding or hang gliding at Baring Head, contact WHGPC. 

Baring Head provides a striking backdrop for horse riding.

Apply for permit

You need to have a horse riding permit to ride in Baring Head. The permit is valid for 1 year. 

Apply online 

Things to keep in mind

• Follow the horse riding code for all regional parks
• You have to cross a bridge at the entrance which can spook some horses.
• Roads and tracks can be steep slippery at times.
• Dismount and lead your horse where the track crosses steep gravel fans.

Tracks

Most tracks at Baring Head are available to horse riders. Follow the signs and stick to the designated paths. See the map for more details. (PDF 3.9 MB)

Hunting in East Harbour Regional Park is by permit only and is restricted to the Gollans Stream catchment area in the Northern Forest.

Download the deer hunting map (PDF 2.2 MB)

Download the pig hunting map (PDF 642 KB)

This area is a mix of slopes clothed in beech and rata forest, and the valley floor contains lush semi-swamp forest including kahikatea, pukatea and nikau palms. The Gollans Stream catchment eventually flows through to the outstanding Gollans Stream Wetlands and Lake Kohungatera on Wellington's south coast, which are part of Parangarahu Lakes area of East Harbour Regional Park.

The Northern Forest area of East Harbour Regional Park sits between the urban areas of Eastbourne and Wainuiomata and is very popular with walkers and dog walkers. Mountain bikers have access from the Wainuiomata Hill to south east Wainuiomata along the Rata Ridge Track.

The hunting area of Gollans Stream catchment uses the Eastern Ridge, Western Ridge and the Eastern Butterfly Creek Ridge as boundaries. These are geographically well defined and provide easily distinguishable boundaries, keeping hunters away from the park's ‘urban interface’ perimeters.

Poisoning and/or trapping of possums and other animals may occur in the area covered by this permit, and therefore we caution against touching any bait, lures or carcasses found.

Deer Hunting – Northern Forest East Harbour Regional Park

There is an annual ballot to win one of ten three-day hunting periods for the entire block in April each year. Each period is either Sunday-Tuesday or Thursday-Saturday. Applications are now closed for 2022. Applications are made online and the ballot opens at the end of January each year and closes at the end of February.

Conditions

• Both hunter and hunting partner must have a current New Zealand Firearm Licence
• No loaded firearms are to be carried on any access track outside the permit area. No hunting is to take place within 200 metres of any tracks or the catchment boundaries marked on the permit maps
• Only centre fire rifles of calibre .222 Remington or larger may be used for hunting, or crossbows and bows with a minimum drawing factor of 18kg (40lb). Shotguns, air rifles and rimfire rifles are prohibited
• Hunting will be permitted between 5am and 8pm.  No shooting in the hours of darkness. No overnighting is permitted
• Light NO fires
• No dogs permitted
• Carcasses and offal must be buried well away from stream beds, huts, campsites and tracks (50 meters at least). All rubbish must be removed from Greater Wellington Regional Council land by the permit holder. No gutting of carcasses near streams. Prepare the animal for removal as far away from streams as possible

Pig Hunting - Northern Forest East Harbour Regional Park

Permits are issued for the period 1 May to 30 September each year. For a permit, please email adminserviceshuttvalley@gw.govt.nz.

Conditions

• Carcasses and offal must be left well away from streams, public areas and tracks
• The use of firearms, bows and live capture traps is prohibited
• No more than three (3) hunting dogs are allowed per permitted hunter
• All pig hunting dogs must be registered and should display visual identification at all times (registration tag, branding or tattoo), or are to be micro-chipped
• No dogs listed on a local authority database as dangerous may be used for pig hunting purposes in East Harbour Regional Park

Know before you go

• There are no facilities in the Northern Forest and sudden weather changes can occur
• Fires are prohibited 
• Always carry enough warm clothes and rainwear for cold conditions
• Check weather forecasts on Metservice before leaving and take ample high energy food for your trip
• Let someone know your intended route, party size and return time. Always contact this person on your return
• Read and understand the Land Safety Code

Caring for the environment

• Keep the streams clean. Bury toilet waste in a shallow hole well away from watercourses
• Light no fires. Take care with portable stoves, matches and cigarettes
• Remove rubbish. Carry out what you carry in
• Hunting is by permit only in the Northern Forest, East Harbour Regional Park.
• Foot access only. No motor vehicles or trail bikes are allowed in the Northern Forest.
• No camping. Complete your trip into or through area in one day
• Do not damage or remove plants. Do not disturb vegetation research plots and markers
• Do not hunt, trap, shoot or kill any bird or other native fauna

Frequently asked questions

How is the ballot run?

The ballot is run by an online, automated process. Successful applicants will receive an email identifying the block you have been allocated.

Is there a cost?

No cost.

What are the dates and how many blocks are available?

31-2 March -April

3-5 April

7-9 April

10-12 April

14-16 April

17-19 April

21-23 April

24-26 April

28-30 April

Where are the blocks in the parks?

Download the East Harbour hunting ballot blocks map (PDF 2.2 MB)

Does my nominated partner need a firearms licence?

Yes. As the block holder you are responsible to ensure that both the Firearms Acts and the Terms and Conditions you accepted to receive the hunting block are obeyed by you and your partner at all times.

What if I win a block and my nominated hunting partner can’t make that date or pulls out, can I bring someone else?

You can change your nominated partner. However, you must let the parks team know as soon as possible so changes to your permit can be made. Please email parks@gw.govt.nz if you wish to change your hunting partner.

What bait/toxins are in the area?

Brodifacoum, Diphacinone and Bromadialone baits are used in East Harbour Regional Park bait stations.

Do I need a 4WD?

No vehicle access.

Will other people be present in my hunting block?

No, each block is dedicated to you for the dates specified on your permit.

I have heard that you send professional hunters in prior to the ballot, is this true?

East Harbour Regional Park has professional hunters for 19 days of the year. These occur either in spring or autumn but not within the ballot time. This work is done to target deer and indicating dogs are used. Goats and pigs are destroyed if they are encountered.

Can I camp overnight?

Yes – you must be 500m from a road entrance, track or structure. The following rules apply:

• Carry in and out all equipment and rubbish
• Leave no trace of visit
• No open fires
• Human waste must be buries at least 100m away from any waterway or a ‘poo tube’ carried

Do professional cullers operate in The Northern Forest?

Yes, professional hunters cull twice a year. Once in Spring and once after the public ballot. They predominately target the periphery of the park.

What are the hours of hunting?

5.30am till 8pm.  You must ensure you are out of the area by this time.

If you have any further questions please email parks@gw.govt.nz

Early history

The land now part of East Harbour Regional Park has long been a place of Maori occupation with archaeological evidence recorded particularly around Fitzroy Bay and Lakes Kohangatera and Kohangapiripiri. Maori also used a network of routes along the eastern harbour ridges to connect their settlements on the Pencarrow coast, Fitzroy Bay and beyond. The current track of Butterfly Creek was one of these routes.

Baring Head was once an important source for mahinga kai (gardens) for early Maori.

By the time the New Zealand Company arrived in Wellington in 1839, Parangarehu near Baring Head was a place that Te Atiawa from Pito-one (Petone) visited seasonally to fish and collect berries. This area was occupied throughout most of the 19th century.

In 1939 Ngāti Kahungunu and Te Atiawa settled their differences with a peace agreement. This happened just days before the NZ company purchase of Port Nicholson.

Colonisation

By the time the New Zealand Company arrived in Wellington in 1839, Parangarehu near Baring Head was a place that Te Atiawa from Pito-one (Petone) visited seasonally to fish and collect berries. This area was occupied throughout most of the 19th century.

Before 1847 local Māori in the Parangarahu Lakes area were leasing land to Pākehā for farming. In 1847 The McCleverty Deed was signed. The McCleverty Deed was between Lieutenant-Colonel William McCleverty and 21 Māori rangatira. It essentially assigned land to local Māori in exchange for the crops and produce they grew in those lands.

The Waitangi Tribunal later found this deal to badly disadvantage local Māori who already owned this land to begin with.

The 1855 earthquake and the coast road

Before the Remutaka hill road was opened in 1856, the coast road you take from Eastbourne towards Pencarrow lighthouse was the only access for people between Wellington and the Wairarapa. The road was less of a road and more of a track with steep cliffs on one side and the sea on the other. Taking the trip was difficult and sometimes dangerous. In 1855 the road got even more popular when a magnitude 8.2 earthquake shook Wellington and lifted the East Harbour coastline by two meters. What had been a narrow track, was now a much more accessible road.

Pencarrow lighthouses

The eastern harbour land and beaches were important routes to and from the Wairarapa for European settlers arriving in the new port and town of Wellington. Pencarrow Head featured almost immediately in New Zealand Company plans to protect shipping and as early as 1842 a white beacon was erected there.

As shipwreck followed upon shipwreck, public pressure rose for more effective protection and eventually New Zealand's first permanent lighthouse opened on 1 January 1859. The keeper of the new lighthouse was Mary Jane Bennett - New Zealand's first and only woman lighthouse keeper - a position she held for six years.

However the original Pencarrow lighthouse often wasn't visible to ships in foggy conditions due to its elevation. In 1906 a decision was made to build a new lighthouse, known as Lower Pencarrow, to the west and closer to the coast. The old lighthouse remains despite not having operated as a navigational aid since 1935

In 1906 another lighthouse was also built on the shoreline at Pencarrow. Despite all these precautions, the eastern harbour coast remained dangerous to shipping, especially in fog and rain. Up to 21 wrecks have been recorded on the Pencarrow coast, the most recent being in 1981.

Baring Head Lighthouse

In 1932 it was decided to build a new light station at Baring Head here to serve both as an approach light to the Wellington Harbour, and as a coastal light for Cook Strait.

Atmospheric research is carried out at Baring Head by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) 

Wahine disaster

On 10 April 1968 the 9000 ton interisland ferry "Wahine" was carried onto Barrett Reef and sank by Steeple Rock across the harbour. Of the 53 people that lost their lives in the disaster, 49 were cast onto the Eastbourne shore. 

Park established

Away from the shoreline, the lands within East Harbour Regional Park have long been a place for recreation for Wellingtonians. From the 1890s, Days Bay became the main centre for picnics and walking. The Butterfly Creek picnic area gained popularity during the 1930s when unemployed workmen cut access tracks from Kowhai Street and Muritai Park during the Depression.

In 1973, these areas became the base of the proposed Regional Park. Today Greater Wellington Regional Council manages the park which includes land owned by Hutt City Council and the Crown. 

Pencarrow Lighthouse

From Eastbourne the Pencarrow Lighthouse can be reached by walking or biking.

First lighthouse in New Zealand

There were two failed attempts in 1842 and 1844 to build a structure that could act as a beacon for ships. But they either blew over in the wind or had a light which only reached five miles on the clearest day.

In 1852 a decision was made to build an iron lighthouse, strong enough to withstand the sometimes brutal weather at Pencarrow. But this wouldn't happen overnight. In the meantime, a lighthouse keeper's residence was built with a large window where a navigational light could sit.

In 1852 George White Bennett, his wife, Mary Jane Bennett, and their three children moved to the remote lighthouse keeper's residence. Their time in the residence wasn't easy. The house was not wind or waterproof and had a stove that didn't work. In extreme weather the whole house would shake and the family would move from the building to a cave in the hillside to wait it out. The isolated and exposed the location took it's toll on the family too when Eliza who was two-and-a-half died in their first year there.

The permanent lighthouse was finally built and opened in 1858, becoming New Zealand's first permanent lighthouse.

New Zealand's first and only female lighthouse keeper

Three years into his service at the residence, and before the proper lighthouse was finished, George died. He was travelling across the harbour in rough weather and was washed overboard. George couldn't swim and after clinging to a rock for hours, he was washed off and drowned, leaving behind his five children and Mary, who was pregnant with a sixth.

Mary unofficially took over her husband's duties and when the official lighthouse was built and opened in 1858 she became the first and only female lighthouse keeper in the country.

Mary took her children back to England after around 10 years as the lighthouse keeper. Her youngest son returned to New Zealand and became lighthouse keeper's assistant in 1880. He is listed in the records as 'William Hebden Bennett, Son of Mrs Bennett'.

Read more about the Pencarrow Lighthouse, Mrs Mary Jane Bennett and other lighthouse keepers.

Baring Head Lighthouse

Baring Head is reached from Wainuiomata and is home to New Zealand's only lighthouse compound still in its original condition. The Lighthouse is 12 metres high, sits 87 metres above sea level and was built in 1935. In the compound are cottages which housed the lighthouse keeper and their families.

Restoration and development project

The Baring Head lighthouse is a valuable piece of our region's, and country's, history. We are working with Friends of Baring Head to restore and protect the buildings and the history that goes with them.

This is a big undertaking, so it has been broken down into seven separate, but connected projects. Each will be funded separately, meaning work can begin before the entire project is funded. The projects include:

1. Public toilets - we promise you'll never have a better view from a loo!
2. Garage and sheds - The restored garage will be able to be used for an artist in residence studio, as an information shelter from the wind for park visitors, or for other purposes. There are also other small outbuildings to restore.
3. Powerhouse visitor day centre - the former power house will be transformed into a day visitor centre covering the rich history of this area, from iwi and early settler and defence history to lighthouse keeping and shipwrecks.
4. The Lookout - a new landscaped lookout will help park visitors to make the most of the spectacular views.
5. The Shelter Belt - with wind gusts exceeding 96km/hr 72 days of the year, and 63km/hr the other 255, we want to restore the vegetation shelter belt around the complex to give visitors a break from the blasts.
6. The discovery trail for interactive discovery and activities.
7. The drive - this area once held a well-maintained rock garden and driveway. Restoring this will be one more step towards bringing it back to its former glory.

Get involved

The Friends of Baring Head and Greater Wellington are always looking for help with this big task. Whether you can donate funds, time or materials, we want to hear from you. Contact the Friends Group at info@baringhead.org.nz to find out how you can get involved.