Tutira & Pakowhai Country Parks

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council owns and manages two country parks with the purpose of providing public access and recreation in areas protected for soil conservation (Tutira) and flood control (Pakowhai).

On this Page

• Tutira Country Park location and facilities
• Explore the Tutira-Maungahururu district
• Tutira Walking tracks
• Tutira short stay camping and Picnics
• Pakowhai Country Park location and facilities
• Flood control project

Tutira Country Park

Where? Alongside SH2, 41km north of Napier and 77 km south of Wairoa.  Access through the DoC wildlife reserve via a drive to the east of the lake.

Facilities – Camping available for short terms stays and a flat, fenced paddock area is suitable for tents, campervans, caravans.  Compost toilets and taps only (no kitchen or showers).  Shelter for day picnickers.  Signs regarding swimming warnings - lake water quality can be poor at times.

The country park lies within steep hill country in the hills, and includes several mostly easy walks, a wetland, an arboretum, picturesque lakes, and is alongside a DOC wildlife reserve.  The park has an erosion control, sustainable land management programme in place managed by the Regional Council with many of the trees in the park planted by community and council staff volunteers.

Explore the Tutira-Maungahururu district

The country park is part of the developing tourism area of the Tutira-Maungahururu district which local people are promoting as a great recreation area.  From here explore Boundary Stream Mainland Island and Shine Falls, Lake Opouahi scenic reserve and kiwi crèche, Waipatiki Beach and scenic reserve, Tangoio Falls scenic reserve and White Pine Bush.

Soil conservation -  The park has been established to demonstrate soil conservation and erosion control practices, as well as to provide a great place to relax.  There is a picnic spot on the rise above the camping area (look for sign on fenceline).  A commemorative chair has been placed there to recognise the contribution of New Zealand’s first soil conservator Doug Campbell 1906 – 1969 who was instrumental in introducing many of the now accepted land and farming practices in New Zealand in the 1940s and 50s, including erosion control and aerial top dressing.  The chair was funded by former colleagues Noel Sutherland and Stafford Bull.

Tutira Walking tracks

There are 4 walking and hiking trails so you can explore the Country Park and its splendid views.  These are mostly suitable for rambling and most levels of fitness, although the Great View Walk is to the top of the hill and includes some steeper climbs (you can walk out from this walk to Ridgemount Road if you have transport from that end). We have maps and explanations on these walks.

The Honda Tree Fund has contributed to the development of the country park.  Through an innovative programme Honda NZ’s Hawke’s Bay branches the sale of vehicles (and offset the carbon) by funding trees and planting them at the park.

Tutira short stay camping and picnic facilities

Camping is permitted for short stay only ($5 per night) with a flat, fenced paddock suitable for tents and camper vans.  Water, composting toilets, only (no kitchen or shower facilities). Tutira Store a few kilometres up SH 2 has supplies.

Campervans and campers, please observe the freecamping code at the Camping Our Way website.

A shelter is available for picnics.  There is also a picnic area on the rise above the camping ground. Please observe signs regarding periodic algal blooms in the lake which can affect human health and so not suitable for swimming, boating and fishing.

Please take away your own rubbish.  Dogs must be on a leash at all times and no dogs are permitted in the nearby DOC wildlife reserve.

Read! Tutira: the story of a New Zealand sheep station (1921) is the classic book by William Herbert Guthrie-Smith who owned the station.  It is New Zealand’s first environmental book about the land, the water, the farm and the natural bush of this area, and is a fascinating and entertaining read.  While generally out of print, it is available in libraries and in good used book stores.

Pakowhai Country Park

Where?  Only 5 minutes from Hastings and 15 minutes from Napier on the Pakowhai Road, on the Hastings side of the Ngaruroro River.

Facilities – Paved parking with access over a stopbank via steps (difficult for prams and not suitable for wheelchairs as pathways are unpaved), picnic tables. Dog exercising.  No overnight camping permitted. 

Pakowhai Country Park is an attractive open space, with casual paths that crisscross the Raupere Stream over bridges built by Regional Council staff as a team building exercise.  It’s a country park with plenty of variety including a newly developed wetland area, the stream, native trees many of which have been planted by volunteer community groups and schools, a small forestry block and open spaces with views across orchards and farmland.

It is a popular dog exercise park, where dogs are permitted to be off leash but must be under the control of their owners (who must also remove waste).

Flood control project

The park was developed in the former bed of the Ngaruroro River which was diverted 500 m north in a large flood protection project completed in 1969.  The Raupere Stream now flows under the old river bridge near the entrance to the park.  The park was created by The Landcare Foundation in the 1970s, with support from a group known as Friends of Pakowhai Country Park who still get involved in planting and other projects.

A walk through the park from the stopbank entrance serves as a memorial to Mr Doug Walker, who was Chairman of the Council 1992-1996 and lead the development of much of the flood protection work on the Heretaunga Plains.