53 EVENTS 9 PARKS 3 MONTHS

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1 53 EVENTS 9 PARKS 3 MONTHS GW.GOVT.NZ/SUMMEREVENTS

2 ESCAPE WITH US THIS SUMMER Explore the regional parks and forests on your doorstep with the Regional Council s Greater Wellington Great Outdoors programme. We offer more than 50 events set in some of the region s most spectacular landscapes. Nearly all events are within one hour s drive of Wellington city and hosted by local experts. BOOKINGS Most of our events are free. You must book ahead for events with maximum numbers. These are identified with a B symbol. To secure your space, payment is at the time of your booking (there will be small surcharge applied at the time of purchase). As some events are more popular than others, it pays to book in quick so you don t miss out on tickets! For any enquiries phone To see the full programme, event and booking details go to

3 REGIONAL MAP Ötaki ŌTAKI RIVER Waikanae Paraparaumu QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK WHITIREIA PARK AKATARAWA FOREST BATTLE HILL FARM FOREST PARK KAITOKE REGIONAL PARK Porirua Featherston BELMONT REGIONAL PARK Lower Hutt Upper Hutt WAINUIOMATA/ ORONGORONGO WATER COLLECTION AREA PAKURATAHI FOREST Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Park Wellington EAST HARBOUR REGIONAL PARK

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5 SUMMER FUN IN OUR REGIONAL PARKS GET INTO THE GREAT OUTDOORS Wellington s wonderful regional parks offer fantastic opportunities to enjoy fun in the summer sun. With only a few exceptions, our events are low to no cost, perfect for getting the whole family into the great outdoors. This year s programme has something for everyone! From young families through to people keen to explore a bit further afield, all in safe and enjoyable environments. We ve turned the heat up a notch though, with new events such as the Battle Hill Farm Day and early morning star gazing at I Ruia Mai I Rangiätea - Astronomy Stargazing Event at Whitireia Park. We ve also kept many of our most popular menu items such as Paws in the Park Summer Series, Kev the Kiwi capers and guided walks such as the Rimutaka Rail Trail and Explore Chrystalls Bend. The variety of landscapes within the region s easily accessible nine regional parks is amazing, providing you with fun options from which to choose. So you can walk along the beach and learn about coastal habitats, or ramble through a rainforest, or see the famous Rivendell Archway. You can enjoy yourself on your own, with your family, or in a group. Whether you like walking, cycling, horse-riding, 4-wheel driving, or walking the family dog it s all there for you this summer. 14 Greater Wellington Regional Council park rangers

6 BRING THE FAMILY & KIDS Exploring together as a family helps build some really special memories. Playing outdoors has the added bonus of being a healthy alternative to spending too much time online, and it s a great way to learn and experience new things. This year we have great options Kev the Kiwi walks, a treasure hunt, pony rides, cycling, child versus wild, buggy walks, and much more. Bring a picnic and let the kids be kids in our safe and beautiful environment. Check our guide for the parks and activities that appeal to you. 53events

7 FAMILY EVENTS KEV THE KIWI GOES FOR A BUGGY WALK 5 January 2017 Wainuiomata Recreation Area 10.30am-12noon Bring the whole family as we walk the Gums Loop track. Relax afterwards with a coffee and sausage whilst the kids run off excess energy with games organised by Leisure Active. BEASTIES BUGS AND BUSH 4 February 2017 Battle Hill Farm Forest Park 10am-12noon Join the park ranger and learn more about the beasties and bugs that live in our bush and waterways. Feed the tame eels and even a lolly scramble to finish the day! Not suitable for under 5 s. Bookings are essential. CHILD VERSUS WILD 12 March 2017 Kaitoke Regional Park 9.30am-2.30pm Learn some basic bush craft skills from the City of Upper Hutt Cadet Unit. Skills include; how to build a fire, read a map, a bit about river safety and how to build a bivvie in the bush. Round it off with a toasted marshmallow by the river. Suitable for 8-12 years. Bookings are essential.

8 EXPLORE WITH US Exploring can be exciting but for some people it can be a bit daunting. With our guided ranger walks, you can relax and enjoy learning about the fascinating history and ecology of our regional parks. Park rangers have a wealth of knowledge spanning environmental restoration projects, animal habitats, and the local stories and history unique to each location. They will bring these places alive for you through insights that show why they are so special. Guided highlights include Gollans Valley Adventure, Rainforest and Rivendell where a scene from Lord of the Rings was filmed, and the hard to beat Harbour View Evening Bush Walk, plus many more. 9 regional parks throughout the greater Wellington region

9 EXPLORE BELMONT TRAVERSE 29 January 2017 Belmont Regional Park 9am-3.30pm $10 per person Join the Park Ranger for a guided walk traversing from Cornish Street entrance and the lower Korokoro valley catchment to the Porirua side of the park. Be rewarded with stunning views of Wellington Harbour and the South Island from the iconic Belmont trig station. Good fitness required. Bookings are essential. SKULL VALLEY BUSH WALK 26 February 2017 Wainuiomata Water Collection Area 9.30am-2pm Come for a guided walk among some of the region s oldest native trees as we go off track along Skull Gully valley, normally closed to the public. Hear the birdsong and learn more about how GWRC and volunteers are working hard to keep pest numbers down. Good fitness required. Bookings are essential. 4WD BACK COUNTRY AKATARAWA TOUR 18 March 2017 Akatarawa Forest 9am-1pm Bring your 4WD and join the Cross Country Vehicle Club for a relaxed self-drive trip through the Akatarawa Forest. We enter the park at Totara Park before tiki-touring through the forest and exiting at Bulls Run Road. Bookings are essential.

10 SUMMER EVENTS LISTINGS B = Bookings essential, $ =per person fee, M = moderate fitness, G = good fitness, H = high fitness JANUARY THU 5 7 THU 12 ADOPT A PONY B, $ 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm Queen Elizabeth Park NATURE DISCOVERY TREASURE HUNT 11am-12.30pm Kaitoke Regional Park KEV THE KIWI GOES TO RIVENDELL 10.30am-12pm Kaitoke Regional Park THU 5 8 THU 12 KEV THE KIWI GOES FOR A BUGGY WALK 10.30am-12pm Wainuiomata Recreation Area KOROKORO VALLEY BUSH WALK B, $, G 9.30am-1pm Belmont Regional Park BELMONT SET TOUR 1 B, $, M 6pm-9.30pm Belmont Regional Park 14 EXPLORE BARING HEAD B, M OR G 9am-12.30pm or 9am-3pm East Harbour Regional Park 14 QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK EVENING FAMILY BIKE RIDE M 5pm-7.30pm Queen Elizabeth Park 15 THU THU FEBRUARY THU PAWS IN THE PARK SUMMER SERIES 10am start Tunnel Gully Recreation Area KEV THE KIWI GOES TO THE SEASIDE 10.30am-12pm Hikoikoi Park, Petone IAN PRIEST MEMORIAL RUN Times vary Pakuratahi Forest, Hutt River Trail KEV THE EXPLORING KIWI 10.30am-12pm Tunnel Gully Recreation Area BARING HEAD/ÖRUA-POUANUI 4WD TRIP B, $ 9.30am-10.30am, 10.45am-11.45am, 12.30pm-1.30pm East Harbour Regional Park PAWS IN THE PARK SUMMER SERIES 10am start Sladden Park, Hutt River Trail MITRE 10 MEGA BUGGY WALK 10.30am-12pm Trentham Memorial Park, Hutt River Trail NIGHT TIME MYSTERIES B, M 8.30pm-10.30pm Wainuiomata Water Collection Area HUTT GRAVEL GRAB 10am-2pm Hutt River Trail PAWS IN THE PARK SUMMER SERIES 10am start Queen Elizabeth Park WED HARBOUR VIEW EVENING BUSH WALK B, G 6.30pm-8.30pm East Harbour Regional Park BATTLE HILL FARM DAY 10am-2pm Battle Hill Farm Forest Park GOLLANS VALLEY ADVENTURE B, $, H 9am-3.30pm East Harbour Regional Park EAT DRINK AND BE CRAFTY 10am-4pm Battle Hill Farm Forest Park BELMONT TRAVERSE B, $, G 9am-3.30pm Belmont Regional Park BEASTIES, BUGS AND BUSH B 10.30am-12pm Battle Hill Farm Forest Park LIGHTHOUSE AND LAKES B, $, G 9am-3.30pm East Harbour Regional Park BELMONT SET TOUR 2 B, $, M 5.45pm-9.30pm Belmont Regional Park TUNNEL GULLY MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL OPEN DAY 10am-2pm Tunnel Gully Recreation Area, Pakuratahi Forest

11 FOR FULL EVENT DETAILS GO TO MARCH THU & 11& APRIL 1 2 CYCLING AMONGST GIANTS B, M 9am-12pm Wainuiomata Water Collection Area MAARA ROA TRAVERSE B, G 9am-12pm Belmont Regional Park SEA WEEK EXPLORE WHITIREIA COAST SNORKEL EVENT 9.30am-3pm (half hour sessions) Whitireia Park MITRE 10 MEGA BUGGY WALK 10.30am-12pm Queen Elizabeth Park KÄPITI GRAVEL GRAB 10am-2pm Ötaki River GIANT RATA JOURNEY B, H 9am-3pm East Harbour Regional Park AERO MODELLERS ANNUAL RALLY 10am start Queen Elizabeth Park PUSH PLAY IN THE PARK 11am-2pm Kaitoke Regional Park RONGOÄ MAI, RONGOÄ ATU B 10.30am start Ötaki River MT WAINUI HELI-TRAMP B, $,H 9.30am-3pm Queen Elizabeth Park PARANGARAHU LAKES AREA MÄORI HISTORY WALK B, $, G 9.00am-3pm East Harbour Regional Park THAT DAM TRIG B, G 9am-1pm Akatarawa Forest FIDGETY FISH B 7.40pm-9pm Queen Elizabeth Park RIMUTAKA RAIL TRAIL B, $, G 9am-5.30pm Pakuratahi Forest FRI KARAPOTI CLASSIC 10am start Akatarawa Forest I RUIA MAI I RANGIÄTEA - ASTRONOMY STARGAZING EVENT 5.30am-8am Whitireia Park SKULL VALLEY BUSH WALK B, G 9.30am-2pm Wainuiomata Water Collection Area SEA WEEK EXPLORE WHITIREIA COAST SNORKEL EVENT 9.30am-3pm (half hour sessions) Whitireia Park BIKE THE TRAIL B 10am start Hutt River Trail, Harcourt Park (25km), or Stokes Valley (10km) RAINFOREST AND RIVENDELL B 7pm-8.30pm Kaitoke Regional Park RIDGE TRACK ADVENTURE B, $, G 10am-3pm Kaitoke Regional Park CHILD VERSUS WILD 9.30am-2.30pm Kaitoke Regional Park 4WD BACK COUNTRY AKATARAWA TOUR B 9am-1pm Akatarawa Forest BELMONT MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB OPEN DAY 10am-2pm Belmont Regional Park EXPLORE CHRYSTALLS BEND 9.30am-11.30am Ötaki River PORIRUA GRAND TRAVERSE 8am start Whitireia Park, Porirua

12 SET YOUR WHEELS IN MOTION Riding your bike is a great way to get into our great outdoors and burn off some energy. We have a range of mountain biking opportunities ranging from soft beginner trails through to something a bit more challenging. Mountain Bike enthusiasts can join local clubs on open days at Tunnel Gully Recreation Area and Belmont Regional Park to see what new trails are out there. See full calendar for dates. On a Saturday evening in January, we join the Kapiti Mountainbike Club for the Queen Elizabeth Park Family Bike Ride along the new Te Ara o Whareroa trail, with two options for the smaller legs or intermediate rider. In March, check out Bike the Trail, a FREE familyfriendly bike ride along the beautiful Hutt River Trail. 45,000 people bike to work every day

13 CYCLE EVENTS QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK FAMILY BIKE RIDE Saturday 14 January 2017 Queen Elizabeth Park 5pm-7.30pm Enjoy an evening bike ride along the Te Ara o Whareroa trail suitable for the whole family. You can ride for 6kms, or for the little legs take an easier 5km return route. Bring some snacks to go with an evening milo and sausage sizzle back at the start as we listen to the evening bird song. Helmets essential. BIKE THE TRAIL Sunday 5 March 2017 Hutt River Trail, Harcourt Park or Stokes Valley 10am start Bring your family and friends on their bikes and join us for Bike the Trail. Enjoy an easy family-friendly, scenic bike ride down the Hutt River Trail to Hikoikoi Park, Petone. Free event. BELMONT MOUNTAIN BIKE OPEN DAY Sunday 19 March 2017 Belmont Regional Park 10am-2pm Experience the fabulous mountain bike trails in Belmont Regional Park with GWRC and the Belmont Area Mountain Bike Association (BAMBA). BAMBA will lead group rides on trails such as 4 Degrees, Bull Run, Borderline, New Big Weta, and the Stream Track. Riding difficulties will range from Grade 2 (beginners) through to Grade 3/4 (intermediate/advanced). Tell your friends about it!

14 CELEBRATE OUR PARKS Parks play a vital role in creating liveable cities and thriving communities. Greater Wellington Regional Council s regional parks, forests, and farms are no exception. That s why we have Parks Week which focuses on the great activities you can enjoy in parks. Parks Week takes place between 4-12 March 2017, and we d like to celebrate it through some outstanding events at lovely Kaitoke Regional Park. Among them are the Rainforest and Rivendell guided walk for families and Lord of the Rings aficionados, the Ridge Track Adventure for fitness followers and Push Play in the Park with the Activation Crew for a chance for families to play some old school games or kick a ball around at the campground. For full details of these activities, go to 50,000 hectares of regional parks and forests are managed by Greater Wellington Regional Council

15 PARKS WEEK RAINFOREST AND RIVENDELL Friday 10 March 2017 Kaitoke Regional Park 7pm-8.30pm Join the Park Rangers on an easy guided walk to learn about our beautiful rainforest and visit the site of Rivendell where scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed. Bookings are essential. PUSH PLAY IN THE PARK Saturday 11 March 2017 Kaitoke Regional Park 11am-2pm Bring the family down to Kaitoke Regional Park and push play with the Activation crew. Join in with a game of tag or if you want a game of back yard cricket or football we can get it running. Suitable for all ages. RONGOĀ MAI, RONGOĀ ATU Sunday 12 March 2017 Ötaki River 10am start The Ötaki river is a tupuna (ancestor) and mauri (life force) of Ngati Raukawa people. The awa (river) has been long accessed as a rich source of food and rongoä (medicines). Come down to Chrystalls Bend where local practitioners will share stories and tikanga (customary practices) unique to this area. Bring a picnic for afterwards. Bookings are essential. FOR MORE PARK WEEK EVENTS GO TO

16 OTHER SUMMER FUN HIGHLIGHTS Staying with the theme that the Greater Wellington Great Outdoors programme really does provide something for everyone, we d also like to highlight several other events and activities for you to consider. For kids you can t go past Kev the Kiwi Does Camp Games, where the beaky bird s antics will generate laughter all around as the youngsters find their funnybones. Exploration of a different kind is at the heart of the Nature Discovery Treasure Hunt. Or if you want to explore underwater come to Sea Week Explore Whitireia Snorkel Event. Learn more about the added benefits of plants to our well-being at Rongoä Mai, Rongoä Atu where local practioners share their knowledge of the traditional use and tikanga of local plant life. For more opportunities to get out and explore, or to book, go to BATTLE HILL FARM DAY Saturday 21 January 2017 Battle Hill Farm Forest Park 10am-2pm Bring the family and find out what farming is all about at our Battle Hill Farm day. The kids will be able to see shearing in action, romp in the hay, and get up close to some real farm animals. The adults can join in the fun, or grab a coffee and have a chat to learn a bit more about how a sustainable farm works in the modern world.

17 OTHER EVENTS PAWS IN THE PARK SUMMER SERIES Sunday 15 January 2017 Tunnel Gully Recreation Area 10am start Walkies!! Bring a picnic lunch and plastic bags for your dog's poop. Come for a walk with your dog and explore the beautiful podocarp and beech forest along Tane's Track. Then it's back to the picnic area for games with your furry friend. The track is not suitable for buggies. For the full series go to HUTT GRAVEL GRAB 11 February 2017 Hutt River Trail 10am-2pm FREE! Would you like some river stones for your garden or landscape project? Then bring a trailer and/or shovel and meet us river-side and we will help you help us prevent flooding in the Hutt Valley. PARANGARAHU LAKES AREA MĀORI HISTORY WALK Saturday 25 March 2017 East Harbour Regional Park 9am-3.30pm $12 per person Nau mai, haere mai! Join the Port Nicholson Block Trust/Taranaki Whänui iwi and the Park Ranger for a guided walk around the Parangarahu Lakes area. Listen to the rich history described by local iwi of their connection to these nationally significant freshwater lakes. Find out more about the role we all have to play in protecting the site for future generations. Good fitness required. Bookings are essential.

18 MATIU/SOMES ISLAND KAITOKE REGIONAL PARK OTARI-WILTON S BUSH PUKAHA MOUNT BRUCE STAGLANDS WILDLIFE RESERVE WELLINGTON ZOO ZEALANDIA BATTLE HILL FARM FOREST PARK WELLINGTON BOTANIC GARDEN NGA MANU NATURE RESERVE WELLINGTON WILDTHINGS.COM SUMMER CYCLING EVENTS SUMMER IS THE PERFECT TIME TO DUST OFF YOUR BIKE AND EXPLORE THE WELLINGTON REGION. Choose from scenic trail rides, mountain bike races or a free Go By Bike Day breakfast. Wellington region Events Guide 16/17 Bring this advert to receive 20% off until 15 April 2017 Excludes items already discounted Upper Hutt, North City, Wellington CBD

19 BE PREPARED Weather conditions can change quickly. Always take a backpack with a waterproof jacket, warm clothes, tramping boots or strong lace-up shoes, water, and a picnic lunch and/or snacks. On trips longer than two hours take thermal leggings, a long sleeved top, a warm hat, and gloves. Always take a sun hat and sunscreen. The parks contain fresh air please be smokefree. Visit to get tips, advice, and links to help keep you safe in the great outdoors. CANCELLATIONS Check the Greater Wellington Regional Council Facebook page on the day of the event or call

20 COLOURING COMPETITION Name: Contact number: Bring along on an event day