Te Mata Park

Te Mata Park - Te Mata Peak

Te Mata Park

Te Mata Peak

25 Rankers Reviews

18 Face-to-Face

7 Havelock North

Your Nature Guide

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Marios Gavalas

Author And Researcher

Nau mai, haere mai

Nau mai, haere mai

I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.

I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!

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Photos

View of Napier. Lots of Walking tracks

Information

Te Mata Park

5.4 km return | 30 mins - 2 hours 15 minutes return

Visitors can drive, cycle or walk through 98 hectares of parkland on a series of well graded walking tracks. The round trip takes about two hours but shorter walks, suitable for both leisure and more active walkers, are signposted along the way.

Te Mata Peak is the viewpoint of the area. This circuit is the most comprehensive of a number of walks in the park.

Walking Track

Access

The track starts from just above the 2 parking areas 300 metres above the Peak House Restaurant.

Track

There are several walks at Te Mata Park.

This description is for the Giant Circuit, the most comprehensive of all the walks.

This impressive circuit is a good way to taste the marvels of Te Mata Peak. It is marked blue and a printable map is downloadable from http://tematapark.co.nz/maps-and-tracks/giant-circuit-map-5-4km-est-2-hrs-15-mins/

The Rongokako Trail departs to the left of the road (looking uphill) and follows the spine of the ridge above the bluffs. The track is uneven and steep in places. Spectacular views are the reward at the Saddle Lookout and Summit trig (399 metres).

The retreating rock outcrops of Te Mata Peak lead the eye to Napier and Hawke Bay. Way out west, inland Hawke’s Bay and the innumerable small ridges are bounded by the Ruahines and Kawekas. Below, the Tukituki Valley is the land’s last gasp before the coast.

The track then descends a bowl, with fine views south up the Tukituki Valley to Kahuranaki (646 metres). Flax clings tenaciously to the exposed limestone and the parched grass highlights the ridgetops in summer’s early morning light.

The track passes the Redwood Grove and continues up the Te Hau Valley to the lone grove of karaka trees, (also known as Webb’s Bush) (10 minutes) and climb left through the bluffs of Fanworth Ridge. This accesses the next gully, which climbs to the carpark (30 minutes). Many exposed fanshells on the track give clues to the limestone’s composition and formation.

Polynesian History

According to a Maori legend Te Mata Peak is the body of Te Mata, a Waimarama chief. In his quest for power, Te Mata attacked pa sites in the region, but in planning an attack on the Heretaunga people, was dissuaded by the overwhelming beauty of the chief’s daughter. To win her love, he was set a number of tasks, all duly completed except the final one. Unable to eat his way through the peak, his final bite forms a saddle in the escarpment, and the outline of his body can be seen in the profile of the hill.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Hastings District Council

Council organisation

Location

North IslandHawkes BayHavelock North

Categories

  • Activity__lookoutsLookouts
  • Activity__walking_and_trekkingWalking
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Directions

Hastings Office

Coordinates

-39.7020365190185

176.909372711182

Latitude
-39.7020365190185
Longitude
176.909372711182

Nearby

Reviews

    • 27Sept18.
    • Nice view and landscape.
    • Such a lovely place, landscape and tracks.
    • Wonderful walk!
    • 5 different loops to do.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 5
    20%
    9/10 7
    28%
    8/10 7
    28%
    7/10 4
    16%
    6/10 1
    4%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 1
    4%
  • 3.0/5

    Tried to bike some of the trails here today but they are poorly signposted and hard to correlate the map with each trail.

    Also came across quite a few disrespectful riders (assume mostly locals as they were flying at great speed down the trails).

    I’ve only rated this 6 because I have walked one of the tracks with a friend previously and the view at the top was amazing, otherwise it would be much lower.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

    Amy's avatar

    Amy

  • 0.5/5

    A thief appeared in the mountain area in Hasting.

    Yesterday my friend and I’s backpack disappeared in the car... Please see the same backpack in the picture, please help the police! Thank you 🙏We drove the red car. Please pay attention to your health and property safety! Yesterday they fly to Christchurch airport 4pm from Napier

    Reviewed about 4 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    I did the yellow track and even though i stopped for pics and to enjoy the views i did it in the requested time.

    So i think its very well thought through and i found it very easy to find the little arrows to stay on the right track.

    Reviewed over 5 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    27Sept18.

    A bit wet when we went so we didn’t get to the top or walk any paths. Cafe closed but out of season so not surprising. Good views from the lower car park, weather permitting

    Reviewed about 6 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Pick a day with good visibility and this moderately strenuous walk is well worth it for the panoramic views at the top.

    Lots of coach parties but it is easy to keep clear of them.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 5.0/5

    FREE.

    Great choice of walks that you can either do on foot or on bikes.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 4.0/5

    Nice view and landscape.

    The walkway was sometimes not that easy to find, because of missing signs.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

  • 4.0/5

    Bad direction signs, not easy to read, nice view.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

  • 4.0/5

    5 different loops to do.

    I did the blue one. Better than the red one I think. Very nice 360d view.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Such a lovely place, landscape and tracks.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

  • 4.5/5

    From top of the mountain Te Mata Peak, you have a great 360 degree view over the whole area.

    Another good point is you can use your car to drive to the top if you do not want to walk all the way up.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016

  • 3.0/5

    Tried to bike some of the trails here today but they are poorly signposted and hard to correlate the map with each trail.

    Also came across quite a few disrespectful riders (assume mostly locals as they were flying at great speed down the trails).

    I’ve only rated this 6 because I have walked one of the tracks with a friend previously and the view at the top was amazing, otherwise it would be much lower.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

    Amy's avatar

    Amy

  • 0.5/5

    A thief appeared in the mountain area in Hasting.

    Yesterday my friend and I’s backpack disappeared in the car... Please see the same backpack in the picture, please help the police! Thank you 🙏We drove the red car. Please pay attention to your health and property safety! Yesterday they fly to Christchurch airport 4pm from Napier

    Reviewed about 4 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    I did the yellow track and even though i stopped for pics and to enjoy the views i did it in the requested time.

    So i think its very well thought through and i found it very easy to find the little arrows to stay on the right track.

    Reviewed over 5 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    27Sept18.

    A bit wet when we went so we didn’t get to the top or walk any paths. Cafe closed but out of season so not surprising. Good views from the lower car park, weather permitting

    Reviewed about 6 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Nice view and landscape.

    The walkway was sometimes not that easy to find, because of missing signs.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

  • 4.0/5

    Bad direction signs, not easy to read, nice view.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

  • 5.0/5

    FREE.

    Great choice of walks that you can either do on foot or on bikes.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 4.0/5

    Pick a day with good visibility and this moderately strenuous walk is well worth it for the panoramic views at the top.

    Lots of coach parties but it is easy to keep clear of them.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 4.0/5

    5 different loops to do.

    I did the blue one. Better than the red one I think. Very nice 360d view.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    From top of the mountain Te Mata Peak, you have a great 360 degree view over the whole area.

    Another good point is you can use your car to drive to the top if you do not want to walk all the way up.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016

  • 5.0/5

    Such a lovely place, landscape and tracks.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

  • 4.0/5

    It is good for one day trekking.

    Not too much hills and it has a good view.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

  • 4.5/5

    You can chose to either drive or walk to the top, but either way you will for sure enjoy the views!

    A must do if you are around.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Fairly easy hike up to Te Mata Peak.

    Had awesome views of Napier, Hastings and Havelock North.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Beautiful views, impressive hills - longest walk is two hours but could link up with other tracks.

    Can also drive up the peak so is accessible for all.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Amazing view over Hawke's Bay.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in November 2015

  • 5.0/5

    Wonderful walk!

    I decided to take the blue track. It was a bit challenging but totally worth it! You should not miss this one.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    A large selection of walking tracks to suit all abilities.

    Tracks run through great scenery like Redwood forests, valleys and views over Hawke's Bay.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Great little walk, 1hr to 1.5 hrs round trip.

    Opens up to a beautiful Redwood forest, nice shady spot for a picnic.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 4.5/5

    A 300m hill with a few walking tracks and mountain bike trails.

    Great view of the ocean, and you may see all of Hawke's Bay on a clear day.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014

  • 4.5/5

    Really really nice and easy walk, with fantastic views on the coast.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in December 2012

  • 5.0/5

    Excellent.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012

  • 3.5/5

    An easy walk - with the guidance of friends.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Highest point in Hawke's Bay, several walking tracks with wonderful views and Redwoods forest.

    Reviewed about 13 years ago and experienced in April 2011

  • 4.5/5

    Stunning views, tracks to suit all walkers & bikers.

    Reviewed over 14 years ago and experienced in November 2009