Kaitoke Regional Park

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Kaitoke Regional Park
Hutt River from flume bridge, Kaitoke.jpg
Hutt River in Kaitoke Regional Park
Kaitoke Regional Park
Type Wellington Regional park
Location Kaitoke, New Zealand
Coordinates 41°04′08″S175°11′55″E / 41.069027°S 175.198658°E / -41.069027; 175.198658
Area2,860 ha (7,100 acres)
Created1983
Operated by Wellington Regional Council
Open6am-6pm (April–September)
6am-9pm (October–March)
StatusOpen

Kaitoke Regional Park is regional park located at Kaitoke, northeast of Upper Hutt, in the Wellington Region of New Zealand's southern North Island. It is administered by Wellington Regional Council, [1] alongside the adjacent Hutt Water Collection Area. [2]

Contents

Geography

The park covers 2,860 ha (7,100 acres) in the Tararua Ranges foothills. The steep hills and Hutt River gorge are covered in native trees. [1]

The conifer-broadleaf rainforest at the fork of Pakuratahi River and Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River typifies the original vegetation of the area. There is centuries-old rātā, rimu, hinau and kamahi on the upper slopes, red beech on the lower slopes, and black beech on higher spurs and ridge tops with poorer soils. [3]

The forests form an ecological corridor between the Remutaka Ranges and Tararua Ranges, and Pakuratahi and Hutt River catchments. The connected bush provides a habitat for a range of birds and native fish, including tūī, kererū, piwakawaka (fantails), korimako (bellbirds) or miromiro (tomtits). [3]

History

Pre-establishment

Before European settlement, local Māori had established several routes between Wairarapa and Wellington through the Kaitoke area. Whakataka Pā is believed to have established at Te Mārua before 1820. A European road was opened in 1856. [4]

Many of the forests were cleared by early European settlers to provide timber, farm supplies, water and transport routes. Some areas of untouched forest were purchased by local authorities in 1939 for water supplies. [4] Further adjacent land was purchased after World War II, on 20 November 1951, to form Hutt Water Collection Area. [5]

Following the war, the area became a site for picnicking and swimming. In 1976 the Wellington Regional Planning Authority identified the area as a potential regional park because of its native forests and recreational options. [4]

Post-establishment

The park officially opened in 1983. [4] The Wellington Botanical Society and local Upper Hutt branch of Forest and Bird have been involved in protecting and restoring the park. [3]

The park was the filming location for exterior shots of Rivendell for the 2001 movie The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. [6]

Two people were injured in a plane crash in the regional park in 2016, [7] and one person died in another plane crash in 2020. [8] Toxic algae has remained an ongoing issue in the regional park, with outbreaks in November 2017 and February 2019. [9] [10]

In August 2021, a wheelchair-accessible suspension bridge was opened across Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River. [11] During the same month, major restoration work began to make the park a carbon sink for the Wellington Region. [12] [13]

Recreation

The park consists mostly native bush, but there are also walking tracks and swimming holes. The most popular loop walk in the park leads through the valley of the upper Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River. The suspension bridge and some forest tracks are wheelchair accessible. [1] [11]

There are several sites for camping, with drinking water, toilet, power outlet and electric barbecue facilities. Campfires are permitted, but not near riverbeds or tent sites. [1]

As a filming location for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the park also has sightseeing spots and guided tours for Tolkien tourists. [14]

The park opened from 6am to 6pm between April and September, and from 6am to 9pm between October and March. Dogs are permitted, but fireworks are not. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kaitoke Regional Park". gw.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
  2. ↑ "Hutt Water Collection Area". gw.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
  3. 1 2 3 "Environment". gw.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "History". gwrc.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
  5. ↑ Walzl, Tony. "Hutt and Wainuiomata/Orongorongo water collection areas History" (PDF). gwrc.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
  6. ↑ "Kaitoke Regional Park, Wellington, New Zealand". www.newzealand.com. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  7. ↑ Weekes, John (2 March 2016). "Two people escape injury as light aircraft damaged in Kaitoke crash". stuff.co.nz. Dominion Post.
  8. ↑ Cornish, Sophie (24 November 2016). "Victim of fatal microlight crash near Upper Hutt airfield named". stuff.co.nz. Dominion Post.
  9. ↑ Williams, Colin (20 December 2017). "No Christmas cheer for Hutt River users". stuff.co.nz. Dominion Post.
  10. ↑ Fallon, Virginia (1 February 2019). "Swimmers warned to take care after toxic algae found in Wellington region's rivers". stuff.co.nz. Dominion Post.
  11. 1 2 "Accessible Suspension Bridge Swings Into Action At Kaitoke Regional Park". scoop.co.nz. Wellington Regional Council. 13 August 2021.
  12. ↑ "Wellington creating new carbon sink with up to 28,000 trees to be planted". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. New Zealand Herald. 3 December 2020.
  13. ↑ "Grazing Land Out To Pasture At QEP And Kaitoke, Permanent Carbon Sink To Take Its Place". scoop.co.nz. Wellington Regional Council. 13 August 2021.
  14. ↑ "Rivendell". gw.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
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