Dog access in Remutaka Forest Park

The Remutaka Forest Park Trust has released North Island brown kiwi into part of the Remutaka Forest Park. Kiwi have been released into the Turere Stream catchment north of the Ōrongorongo Track, an area of approximately 1000 hectares.

On this page:

• Remutaka Forest Park controlled dog area
• Hunting in Remutaka Forest Park
• Remutaka Forest Park kiwi project
• Dogs and kiwi

Remutaka Forest Park controlled dog area

To protect kiwi, parts of the Remutaka Forest Park are:

• closed to dogs
• areas where dogs must be kept on a lead at all times
• off lead areas

View a map of controlled dog areas (PDF, 219K).

Area closed to dogs

Signs mark the area closed to dogs.

The Turere Stream catchment from its headwaters to the confluence with the Ōrongorongo River. This is bounded by but does not include the Whakanui Track and McKerrow Track.

Areas where dogs must be kept on a lead at all times

Signs mark the areas where dogs must be on a lead.

1. The entire Catchpool Valley from its entrance at Coast Road to the upper car park, including all walks and tracks, picnic and camping areas except for designated 'dog exercise area'.
2. Whakanui Track from its start at Sunny Grove road end in Wainuiomata, for approximately three-quarters of its length to the Ōrongorongo River.
3. McKerrow Track, Clay Ridge Track, Butcher Track, Cattle Ridge Track, Ōrongorongo Track in their entirety.

Area of Catchpool Valley where dogs may be exercised off a lead

Signs mark the area where dogs may be off a lead.

Between the road and Catchpool Stream opposite the visitor centre.

Hunting in Remutaka Forest Park

Recreational hunting is allowed in the Remutaka Forest Park. Dogs must be avian avoidance certified. The certificate and hunting permit must be carried when hunting. Compliance monitoring may occur at any time.

Remutaka Forest Park kiwi project

The Remutaka Forest Park Trust project is supported by the community and has been made possible by sponsorship.

The Trust has been controlling stoats and other predators in an 1000 hectare area since 2004. This leaves dogs as the main risk needing management before kiwis can be released. To create a safe habitat for kiwi it is necessary to exclude dogs from the Turere Stream catchment, and control their ability to roam into there from the surrounding tracks.

Dogs and kiwi

Dogs are a major threat to kiwi. Kiwi have a strong scent, are flightless, and occupy burrows during the day, so they are especially vulnerable to attack by dogs. Their sternum (breastbone), which anchors the wing muscles used for flight in other birds, is very light and weak, and is easily crushed by a dog’s jaws.