Te Mata Park
Te Mata Park
Te Mata Peak
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
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!
Maps
Photos
Information
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.
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 |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Havelock North |
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Contact
Reviews
Showing 13 reviews of 23.
Lene
Ranking: 10/10
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.
Mike Fricker
Ranking: 9/10
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
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Anna Gruenewald
Ranking: 8/10
Nice view and landscape. The walkway was sometimes not that easy to find, because of missing signs.
Noel Jacobs
Ranking: 8/10
Bad direction signs, not easy to read, nice view.
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Gio Zy
Ranking: 10/10
FREE. Great choice of walks that you can either do on foot or on bikes.
Richard Fox
Ranking: 8/10
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.
Sylvain Schiber
Ranking: 8/10
5 different loops to do. I did the blue one. Better than the red one I think. Very nice 360d view.
Thank You - to the thousands of travellers that have contributed to our Top Voted NZ Activities Map - it's free from Rankers.
Miriam Hack
Ranking: 9/10
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.
Pablo Garcia
Ranking: 10/10
Such a lovely place, landscape and tracks.
Funhui Temp
Ranking: 8/10
It is good for one day trekking. Not too much hills and it has a good view.
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Julie Duvert
Ranking: 9/10
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.
Matas Tirilis
Ranking: 7/10
Fairly easy hike up to Te Mata Peak. Had awesome views of Napier, Hastings and Havelock North.
Steph
Ranking: 7/10
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.
