Image: Pablo Garbarino
View of Kerikeri basin.
Hongi Hika Walk

Located in Kerikeri area and Kororipo Heritage Park in the Northland region

This short, easy walk passes through regenerating native forest to Kororipo pā - it's a great option for children to explore the heritage of early Maori/European settlement.

Hongi Hika Walk links with Kororipo Pā Historic Walk to connect Kerikeri and Hone Heke Roads.

Starting from Hone Heke Road, this well-formed track meanders through mature gums and regenerating native forest, across a small bridge to a fork in the track approximately 70 m from the bridge. Turn left to exit at the carpark just below the historic St James Church, or take the right-hand fork and walk on up on to the Kororipo pā site.

The track is within Hongi Hika Recreation Reserve in Kerikeri.

You can reach the Hongi Hika Track from three different entry points: from the St James carpark at 209 Kerikeri Road; from Hone Heke Road on the NorthTec campus boundary; or from the junction of Kororipo Pā Track.

Parking and picnicking area available at the northern side of the bridge over the Kerikeri River, and at the end of the Rainbow Falls Road.

Related link

The Te Araroa Trail links to the nearby Kerikeri River Track.

The Hongi Hika track runs along the same pathway used by pre-European Maori warriors to access the bountiful Kerikeri River from their permanent residences further inland.

The Kororipo pā served as Hongi Hika’s coastal fortified settlement and played an important role in New Zealand’s musket war campaigns.