Waiatai Scenic Reserve Walk

Located in Wairoa area in the East Coast region

This small reserve is ideal for a quick break in the bush. The area hosts the largest puka in the world.

Although there is no formal track, this tranquil reserve is very small (about half a hectare) – ideal for a picnic.

There is a picnic table atop a small hill, once the site of a farmhouse damaged in the 1931 earthquake and relocated down on the flats. The reserve was its front garden.

Culturally significant to tāngata whenua, this area hosts he largest puka tree in the world and features Māori pits, wahi tapu (sacred places) and a burial site for a local rangatira (high-ranking people).

This small reserve is 4 km east of Wairoa. Turn off SH2 onto Waiatai Road; the reserve is 200 m along the road. 

Local legend tells the story of the local tohunga (expert) Tahutoria, who cared for seven whales in this area. He shared his name with the first of the whales.