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Waitangi Regional Park extends around 5 kilometres along the coast between Awatoto and Haumoana, and is haven for wildlife and sportspeople alike, and is the location for the Atea a Rangi star compass.
Waitangi Regional Park has significant cultural, historic and biodiversity values. The park covers an area of 300 ha along around 5km of a narrow strip of coastline. It is where a number of our rivers meet the sea - Tukituki, Ngaruroro and Tutaekuri Rivers, Karamū Stream-Clive River, as well as Grange and Muddy Creeks. The Ātea a Rangi Star Compass is a popular feature in the northern part of the park.
This part of the coast is an important ecosystem. Fish breed here and migrate between the ocean and the rivers. Resident and migratory bird species such as the white heron, royal spoonbill, godwits, and gannets roost on the gravel banks and feed here. Seals often come inshore.
Within the park, there are opportunities for plenty of recreational and sporting activities - fishing, whitebaiting, rowing, waka ama, kayaking, dog walking, running, cycling, horse riding, jetboating & water skiing, jetskiing and kite surfing. Just outside the park, on the northern side near the fertiliser works, a model aeroplane club operates.
To protect the birdlife, dogs are only permitted to be within the park on the lead.
Look for the Hawke's Bay Regional Parks and Open Spaces brochure at i-sites and other visitor centres.
Because the park stretches along the coast, there are a number of access points and parking areas for vehicles:
Cycle/walk - The Hawke's Bay Trails run through the park to Clifton, and connects with Hastings, Napier and Pākōwhai Park. See Google map below.
The Ātea a Rangi Star Compass stands right on the edge of the coast.
This dramatic circle of pou (posts), stones and a whaharoa (gateway) has been developed by the Ātea a Rangi Educational Trust and installed through 2017.
Local carvers have created the pou, representing the points of the compass. They worked with the Regional Council's open spaces team to enhance this important historical part of the coast.
Information signs at the star compass display information on:
See more about the enhancement project here and in our video below.
In 2017, Ātea a Rangi was constructed as one of several elements in the Waitangi Estuary enhancement at Waitangi Regional Park. The overarching objective of the enhancement is to promote respectful use of the Waitangi estuary.
Ātea a Rangi was the idea of Te Matau-a-Māui Voyaging Trust who subsequently partnered with HBRC to deliver the project.
Ātea a Rangi Educational Trust was then established to administer and maintain Ātea a Rangi under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Regional Council, who maintains the space on an ongoing basis for the community to enjoy.
It is appropriate that Ātea a Rangi Educational Trust is acknowledged and/ or consulted with by tourism operators.
Ātea a Rangi Educational Trust tel: +640211687051 Facebook: atea a rangi website: www.atea.nz
Across the road from the star compass entry is the Horseshoe Wetland which is home to many wading birds. Access is from the carpark, under the bridges and along the stopbank.
Alongside a new wetland is being constructed in early 2019. A partnership approach is funding the construction - project partners are Te Wai Mauri Trust (which has obtained Te Wai Māori funding), Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc, Napier Port and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council which is managing the project. The new 15 hectare wetland (currently un-named) will provide even more habitat for fish, birds and whitebait spawning in this highly valuable biodiversity 'hot spot' area.
The area around Waitangi Regional Park is rich in culture, history and nature - PDF.
Fittingly, the northern end has been transformed into a gateway icon for Napier and Hastings communities and you can view this video to see what has been done in this scenic space.
Waitangi ranks within the top 10 wetlands in the region that require protection and enhancement as determined by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. This area provides a variety of wetland and coastal habitats that support a significant population of bird species. It connects with the nearby Tukituki Estuary. The restoration of some of the wetland areas now is helping to provide habitats for seabirds, water fowl, fish, insects and plants along this coastline.
The estuary initially linked the Ngaruroro and Tukituki river mouths and in the late 1800’s a small ferry boat transported people and goods across the rivers. Significant changes have occurred since then as a result of storms and coastal erosion. The construction of the Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme in the 1960 and 70s further altered the wetlands. Numerous stopbanks and pump stations were constructed along these rivers and Muddy Creek south to the Tukituki River to provide flood protection and drainage to extensive areas of land between Napier and Hastings. While this was important for the economic development of Hawke’s Bay, it did help to destroy an extensive wetland system over this area which is now being restored.
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