Arataki Trails, Auckland Overview

Arataki is a world apart from city life, and the Arataki Visitor Centre is the gateway to the Waitakere Ranges. This lush green sub-tropical rainforest is just a 30-minute drive from Auckland’s City Centre. Auckland is generally known for its artificial wonders, such as Queen Street, but it is here in the Waitakere where you realise the original rugged beauty of New Zealand.

It is no surprise that most of Auckland have turned into a commercial area, where a part of it is labelled as the Central Business District or the City Centre. Auckland woke up to its environmental concerns and has been making gradual improvements in the ecology around it. Greeted by an eleven-meter tall Maori Pou (post) at the entrance to the Arataki Visitor Centre, you are reminded of the importance of the natural world and the relationship humankind has with it. It is carved by Te Kawerau a Maki, the local guardians of the land. The Waitakere Ranges are the tribe’s spiritual home and have traditional ownership rights to the area.

The Pou is one of the largest of its kind in New Zealand, and it also represents the place’s tribal ancestors. Along with the Maori carvings inside the Arataki centre, it is carved out of Kauri, a New Zealand native and one of the world’s giants and longest-living trees.

Things to Do

Visit the Cascade Kauri Park where you will find extensive native bird life and the oldest kauri trees in the Waitakere Ranges.
Go ahead on trails, some of the popular ones include Karekare Falls (10 minutes from the trailhead), Kitekite Falls (1-hour return), and Mercer Bay Loop Track (1-hour return).
The wild west coast beaches, like Piha, is where one can also see the iconic Lion Rock. Just north of Piha beach is a colony of Little Blue Penguins that usually come home at twilight.

Arataki Visitor's Centre

There is nothing much to buy from the Arataki Visitor Centre. In fact, one is advised to purchase only souvenirs from this place. This place is there to help people connect with nature again and expose them to the Maori way of life. Inside the Arataki Centre, there are multiple showcases which depict the life of Maori people and the region’s environmental and cultural importance. Few items of basic necessity are sold over the counter.

Things to Note

A tree disease known as kauri dieback has infected nearly 19% of the Kauri trees in the Waitakere Ranges. The worst part is that it is spreading at an alarming rate. Te Kawerau a Maki, the local Maori guardians of the land have placed a rāhui or spiritual restriction to the land in order to reduce and mitigate the spread of the kauri dieback disease. The Auckland Council’s environmental committee in early 2018 has voted to consider publicly close much of the land.

How To Reach Arataki Trails

While only a 30-minutes drive from Auckland, without a car, it can be difficult to get to the Arataki visitor centre or anywhere in the Waitakere ranges on your own.
If you are staying in Auckland, the best option is a day trip with a reliable company that offers car rentals.
Arataki Visitor Centre is open during the Rahui and will remain open even if Auckland Council closes some of the trails.
It is often referred to as the Waitakere Ranges Visitor Centre, so don’t let it confuse you, they are the same place.
Inside the Arataki Information Centre is a kid’s corner with puzzles, puppets, books, and more