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Forest.
Herekino Forest

Located in the Northland region

Herekino Forest is home to many endangered species. Explore the forest through the Kaitaia Walkway, or the Herekino Forest Track that's part of the Te Araroa Trail.

Herekino is in the Far North, 26 km south-west of Kaitaia. 

Your best access into Herekino Forest is from Kaitaia-Awaroa Road. From Kaitaia head along Pukepoto Rd towards Ahipara, continue on to Kaitaia-Awaroa Road. At Wainui junction turn left.

The entrance to the Herekino Forest Track is located and sign posted at the Herekino Gorge summit.

A track leads through the forest forming part of the Te Araroa Trail - a system of walks that extend along the length of New Zealand.

The tramping tracks within Herekino Forest pass by sites of cultural and spiritual significance to local iwi. Stay on the marked tracks.

Dogs are strictly prohibited on the access tracks and within the forest unless by special permit.

Herekino Forest is considered one of the most important for conservation in the country. It is home to many rare and threatened species, including the North Island brown kiwi, long tailed bat and kauri snail.

The area is home to a great range of vegetation from dense low altitude taraire forest to high altitude catchment areas where you can see northern rata and tree ferns. In some areas, you will find kauri forest encompassing tanekaha, kanuka and rewarewa, while on the central and southwestern ridges the mighty kauri dominates.

DOC, with help from community groups carries out pest control at key sites to reduce numbers of introduced weeds that threaten forest health and the ongoing survival of our native species.

Herekino Forest is known locally as Orowhana, and the saddle as Te Arai, the door. It is believed to be the place spirits pause before heading along Te Ara Wairua (the spiritual pathway) up to Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga), the leaping place of spirits departing to their homeland of Hawaiiki-A-Nui.