Waitawa Kōtare Loop

Get active and explore the best of what Waitawa Regional Park has to offer on this fantastic walking loop, the longest at the park.

Located 50km south-east of central Auckland, Waitawa is made up of three small peninsulas and fronts onto four bays. The recreation park was planned and developed with outdoor activities, exercise and fun in mind.

This scenic loop track takes you through parkland, regenerating coastal bush and wetland environments. This track is named after the kōtare or kingfisher that you may see along the trail.

Start at Mātaitai Bay and follow the yellow track markers towards Waitawa Bay.

Connect onto the Pāwhetau Pā Track. From the Pāwhetau headland there are spectacular vistas towards Pakihi and Ponui Islands.

Continue along the track and cross the park road by the main entrance. From here the wide track continues along a valley to a picnic and toilet area.

From here, join onto the Valley Track alongside the wetland area, then connect back onto the Waitawa Bay Track for the descent back to Mātaitai Bay.

Waitawa is of great importance to Māori as it is located upon a traditional boundary line between Te Urikaraka (Ngāti Paoa) and Ngāti Kohua (Ngai Tai / Te Waiohua). The area has a long and rich history of human occupation, which is reflected in the numerous archaeological sites in the park.