Located in the Central North Island region
Most rivers in the park contain trout: some have both brown and rainbow trout (Rangitikei, Mohaka and Ngaruroro), while others have only rainbow (Waipakihi).
You must have a Taupo Trout Fishery licence to fish the rivers forming the Lake Taupo watershed.
The remainder of the forest park is covered by Fish & Game New Zealand licences.
Vehicle access is available to the park from the north and west from a number of roads, mainly unsealed and on both private and DOC land.
A number of airstrips provide access to the forest park by light aircraft. Note: A permit is required to land on public conservation lands. Find out how to provide aircraft activities
Boyd Airstrip Ngaruroro River:
This airstrip is administered by the DOC and is available for transport of recreational users.
To use the Boyd Airstrip we strongly recommend that you consider the following:
Given all the factors pilots should contact an experienced operator, such as Taupō Air Services +64 7 378 5325 or Air Charter +64 7 378 5467, to seek advice on current conditions likely to be encountered, prior to departure.
Use radio frequency 134.0 in the Boyd Airstrip area.
Oamaru Airstrip: This airstrip is located on private land across the river from Oamaru Hut. Helisika +64 7 384 2816 has permission to take recreational users to this strip.
North Arm Te Wai O Tupuritia Stream: Located on private land where Helisika +64 7 384 2816 has permission to operate.
Helicopters are only permitted to land at established DOC hut sites and other designated landing sites.
It is essential that visitors seeking access through adjacent private land gain permission from the landowner before departure. Hunting permits from DOC confer no right of access across private land.
The lower Oamaru Valley - south east bank; the upper Ngaruroro River including the Mangamingi and Te Wai O Tupuritia Streams, the headwaters of the Rangitikei and Tauranga-Taupō Rivers. East Taupō Lands block, private land. No access. Enquiries to Helisika +64 7 384 2816.
There is no public access to the following routes through the East Taupō lands block. Requirements for access contact: Helisika +64 7 384 2816.
The large tract of land south of the Mangamingi Stream between the Ngaruroro and Mangamaire Rivers. Contact Helisika +64 7 384 2816.
The southern bank of the Waipakihi River below the Waipakihi Gorge to Waikato Stream and extending south into the 'Needles Block'. Contact Kaimanawa 3B2A and 3B2B Trust, c/o He Akina Ltd, phone +64 7 378 5180 or email admin@heakina.co.nz.
The Rangipo Blocks north of Waikato Stream and east of the Desert Road. Contact Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board +64 7 386 8832.
South of the Rangitikei River and Makahikatoa confluence on the true left bank. Contact Ngamatea Station +64 6 388 0883.
Ensure you are prepared for trips in Kaimanawa Forest Park. Find out about weather, maps, communication, fire and water in Kaimanawa Forest Park.
Dominated by the Kaimanawa mountain ranges, the park encompasses a vast largely unmodified expanse of native forest, shrublands and tussock grasslands. It was gazetted in 1969 and is managed to protect and conserve soil and water, native vegetation, wildlife and scenic values.
Beech forest covers most of the park. Red and silver beech are dominant in the north and east, with mountain beech in the south and interior valleys. Towards the west podocarp forest (rimu, matai, totara) becomes more frequent. Between 1160 and 1370 m the forest gives way to tussock grassland and subalpine vegetation.
The most common native birds in the park are the pigeon, fantail, bellbird, rifleman, robin, grey warbler, tomtit, whitehead and kakariki. In lesser numbers are blue ducks, New Zealand falcon, pipit, tui, morepork, fernbird, kaka, black and pied shags. In summer the shining and long-tailed cuckoos are common. The kiwi is now rarely seen or heard in the park but you may still hear its night calls or see signs such as probings or footprints.
The Kaimanawa Forest Park is also home to Powelliphanta marchanti, one of New Zealand's giant land snails. In parts of New Zealand Powelliphanta can reach up to 90mm across, or the size of a man’s fist. Their oversize shells come in an array of colours and patterns, ranging from hues of red and brown to yellow and black. They are also carnivores particularly liking to eat earthworms, sucking them up through their mouth just like we eat spaghetti!
All birdlife and vegetation in the forest park is protected. Please remember that dogs are a real threat to many bird species particularly kiwi and blue duck.
The catchments of four major rivers lie within the park - the Mohaka, Rangitikei, Ngaruroro and Tongariro - as well as several smaller rivers.
The park interior around the main range is of rough and broken topography: it is less rugged toward the east, with a more gentle terrain around the park perimeter.
Turangi Office | |
Phone: | +64 7 384 7106 |
Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
Email: | turangi@doc.govt.nz |
Address: |
3 Town Centre Turangi 3334 |
Postal Address: |
Private Bag 2 Turangi 3353 |
Full office details |