Waitawa Regional Park
1168 Clevedon-Kawakawa Road, Kawakawa Bay

Park closed for pest control

Park will be closed from 8pm Tuesday 12 May to 5am Wednesday 13 May 2026 for rabbit pest control by way of shooting.

Phone the park duty ranger on 09 301 0101 if you have any concerns.

Changes to tracks around the park

We have made significant changes to some of the tracks. Check the park noticeboard for updated map and track information.

About Waitawa Regional Park

Waitawa Regional Park - Fishing from the wharf at Koherurahi Point.

Located 50km from central Auckland on our south-eastern coast, Waitawa is made up of three small peninsulas.

The park fronts onto four bays and is a recreation park, planned and developed with outdoor activities, exercise and fun in mind.

Book accommodatin at Waitawa Regional Park

You need to know

Animals

Dogs, other animals and pets are prohibited at all Auckland Council regional parks' bookable sites and accommodation. The exception is registered aid dogs. You will need to advise our staff at time of booking if you have a registered aid dog for an exemption.
Dogs are allowed in regional parks only as stated in the dog walking section. All other animals are prohibited at all times, unless you have a permit issued by Auckland Council.

Alcohol

Visible and excessive consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
We may ask you and your group to leave the park and terminate your permit.

Smokefree regional parks

Our regional parks are smoke-free.
Please observe this while staying on or using our regional parks.

Waste

All our regional parks are rubbish free. Take all rubbish and recycling with you when you leave.

Outdoor fires

It is illegal to light a fire outside in all public areas in the Auckland region.

Waitawa Regional Park

Map of Waitawa Regional Park

PDF download624.60KB

Dog walking at Waitawa Regional Park

Our tip

Always follow the rules shown on our website for where you can walk your dog, even if the information on park signs does not match. Call us on 09 301 0101 if you need help.
Read more about dog access rules in Policy on dogs.

Farm paddocks, moutain bike tracks, campground and bach
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
Applies to:
- farm paddocks (including on tracks) during lambing season (1 July to 30 November)
- Waitawa Bay Campground (unless for the purpose of using the walking tracks that pass through the campground with an on-leash dog)
- grounds and inside buildings at Waitawa Bach
- mountain bike only tracks (Barnyard Boogie - currently closed, Chain Link, Equine Incline, Eucalyptus - currently closed, Exploding Legs, Fuse, Native, Old School Party Groove, Racing Mum (currently closed), Sheepish, Slippery Digger, Pancake, Oyster Shell and Sheep Happens).
Mataitai Bay Beach west
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Off-leash
All times - under control
Applies to the half of Mataitai Bay Beach west of the rocks.
All other park areas
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
On-leash
All times - under control
Applies to all other areas of the park and associated beach and foreshore areas including:
- Waitawa Bay Beach
- Waitawa Wharf
- grass and picnic areas at Mataitai Bay
- eastern half of Mataitai Bay Beach and
- farm paddocks (outside of lambing season).
You must not allow your dog to interfere with people fishing on the wharf, their equipment, bait and fish. We recommend you avoid the wharf when it's busy.

Farm paddocks, moutain bike tracks, campground and bach
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Mataitai Bay Beach west
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Off-leash All times - under control

All other park areas
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	On-leash All times - under control

Dog access rules for other public places

Visit Rules for dogs in public places to check the rules for walking your dog in other public places.

Visit Find a park or beach to check dog-walking rules for other parks and beaches.

Waitawa Regional Park

Map of Waitawa Regional Park

PDF download624.60KB

Facilities at Waitawa Regional Park

Pedestrian access

Open 24 hours

Gate access summer

6am to 9pm (Daylight saving)

Gate access winter

6am to 7pm (Non-daylight saving)

Vehicle access

An automatic gate is located at the park entrance. No access after closing hours. It will open at any time for vehicles exiting the park.

Sealed access road

Main access road to Mataitai Bay.

Toilets - limited mobility

Located in main toilet block at Mataitai Bay.

Toilets

Four compost toilets at the following locations: Mountain bike (MTB) car park, Waitawa Disc Golf Course, Hoiho Hub (Horse park) and Woolshed. Flush toilets in main toilet block at Mataitai Bay.

Mobility parking

There are four designated parking spaces at the wharf and Mataitai Bay car parks.

Parking

Car parks at the following locations: Mataitai Bay - Wharf Car and Mataitai Bay, Hauraki Car Park, Mountain bike (MTB) Car Park and Tikapa Moana Car Park. Overflow parking is accessed by the road at the Mataitai Bay information shelter.

Drinking water

Located by the Mataitai Bay toilet block.

BBQ

There are three gas BBQs at Mataitai Bay and a BBQ at Hauraki and Mountain Bike car parks. Please clean them after use.

Picnic tables

There are 15 picnic tables available around the park.

Mobility accessible picnic table

Located at Mataitai Bay - these two tables are identified by a longer top, allowing wheelchair access.

Mobile phone coverage

Limited access is available.

Beach

Mataitai Bay is located at the main arrival area. Fringed by Koheruarahi and Mataitai Pa sites it features a sand beach, toilets and BBQs. Waitawa Bay is accessed only by foot, and features extensive views across to the Coromandel Range.

Notice board

Located near the Hoiho Hub (Horse park) and at Mataitai Bay.

Native bush

There are a number of areas of remnant bush at the park.

Boat ramp

The boat ramp is no longer in use and boat launching is not permitted. There is no vehicle access available to the wharf.

Wharf

Waitawa Wharf is suitable for sight seeing and fishing. Mooring and berthing are not permitted.

Waitawa Regional Park

Map of Waitawa Regional Park

PDF download624.60KB

Activities at Waitawa Regional Park

Horse riding

Riders can ride within a specific area and must have a Council permit. See Where you can ride horses to find out more information and to apply for a permit.

Swimming

Mataitai Bay and Waitawa Bay offer safe swimming beaches. Jumping from the wharf is not safe due to a strong current that flows past the wharf and shallow water at mid to low tide.

Volunteering

Contact Auckland Council on 09 301 0101 to enquire about volunteering opportunities for individuals and groups. A wide range of activities are offered including tree planting (seasonal), weed and pest control and track construction and maintenance.

Sightseeing

Waitawa Regional Park offers some stunning vistas of the Hauraki Gulf and inland towards the Hunua Ranges sweeping around to Duder Regional Park and beyond.

Weddings

You may need a permit to hold a wedding or civil union ceremony at this regional park. See Apply for a permit to have an event or wedding in a regional park for more information, or call 09 301 0101 and ask to speak to a Senior Park Ranger.

Disc golf

The Waitawa Disc Golf Course is open and ready to play. See Where you can play Disk Golf for more information.

Drones

See Flying drones and unmanned aerial vehicles to find rules, guidelines and our code of conduct for flying UAVs and drones.

Picnics

Waitawa is a fantastic place to have a picnic. See picnics for more picnic site information.

Mountain biking

There are a number of biking tracks available. See Mountain biking for the types and length of the tracks available.

Walking

There are four tracks at the park – Waitawa Bay, Farm, Pawhetau and Valley. The tracks are however promoted as loops, which are Kotare, Kereru, Puweto and Piwakawaka.

Fishing

Waitawa offers a range of fishing opportunities from the Waitawa Wharf, beaches and rocky headlands.

Kayaking

Waitawa Regional Park is part of the sea kayak Te Ara Moana 'the sea-going pathway'. See Te Ara Moana kayak trail for more information.

Waitawa Regional Park

Map of Waitawa Regional Park

PDF download624.60KB

Waitawa Regional Park1168 Clevedon-Kawakawa Road, Kawakawa Bay

Park closed for pest control

Changes to tracks around the park

About Waitawa Regional Park

Animals

Alcohol

Smokefree regional parks

Waste

Outdoor fires

Waitawa Regional Park

Map of Waitawa Regional Park

Waitawa Regional Park
1168 Clevedon-Kawakawa Road, Kawakawa Bay