Mount Parihaka Whangarei

TU TIKA TOURS - A MAORI CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

This ancient and eroded volcanic cone represents the geological and social heart of Whangarei. It's height and position attracted some of New Zealand's earliest residences and became a Pa site extraordinaire, thought to be home, at times, to more than 2000 people. The view from the top would have allowed Maori who lived here to see who was coming from 360 degrees around.

Archaeologists have found here the remains of kumara storage pits, house foundations and other evidence of the days of the great Pa.

Mount Parihaka, a combination of Mair Park, Pompallier Park, Dobbie's Park, Parihaka Mountain Bike Park, Mackesy Bush Reserve and the Abbey Caves, is a massive recreation playground on the edge of an urban area.

For Whangarei residents and visitors, an opportunity to get out there without going far. The park has won several International Green Flag awards for superior recreation spaces.

The Ross Track, Drummond Track and the Hokianga/Dobbie Track from Mair Park are simple ways to get to the Mount Parihaka lookout. All three are named for early pakeha settlers, who were party to securing the mountain as a reserve. All three tracks are also less than 2km long and less than an hour to the top.

It is possible to drive up on Lookout Road. Mountainbiking, described as of the 'flow and gravity' type, takes place on formed tracks on the eastern side of the hill.

TU TIKA TOURS - A MAORI CULTURAL EXPERIENCE