Pae o Te Rangi
114 Te Henga Rd, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
Auckland Council Phone 09 301 0101
Opening Hours
7:30 am - 7pm winter (usually closes) 7:30 am - 9pm summer
Horse Riding in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park - Pae o Te Rangi Farm
Pae O Te Rangi (the foot stool of Rangi) is a 320 ha Regional Park in the Waitakere Ranges. Near the intersection of Te Henga Road and Bethells Rd.
Don't be fooled by the tiny entrance to this park. Behind the rather skinny farm track, and stock yards a fairly substantial park opens up, and the upper section lets you view from the west coast to the east (including Rangitoto) on a good, clear day.
Trails and Terrain
Great riding! Whether you like open farm paddocks, or following trails this park gives you a bit of both. The lower area is big open paddocks, on rolling hills.
Set in the Waitakere foothills near Bethells beach, Pae o Te Rangi is a combination of gentle rolling farmland, and hill country. There are farm tracks running through the park which range from plain clay to big metal (not really suitable for tracks); they are all rideable although barefoot horses may need to be nursed along grass verges.
The farmland itself is split into two areas. The lower paddocks where you enter the park, are gentle rolling hills. Then there is a steep gravel track to reach the top of the Waitakere hills, for more paddocks with sweeping views.
Follow Long Rd track up (and up and up) the hill to the upper part of the park and the views are to die for. All the way to Rangitoto, Muriwai and over the Waitakeres. If you ride directly from the parking area to the top of the hill, it is approx 5km (but of course, you can add to this by riding within the paddocks themselves)
The bottom paddocks are around 65ha (rideable), and the top another 30
There is a toilet at the camping ground - about 5 mins ride into the park up a little hill.
Generally all gates are left open (except for the ones with stock in them). Paddocks may be locked when stock is in them, but just look for another gate - rangers will provide an alternate way around. There are two 'sides' to the lower area of the park (which you may not realise on your first visit).
New horse trail markers have been added to help those new to the park to find their way to Long Track (to go up the hill to the top)
Looking back onto the lower area of the park, on the way up the track to the upper half.
Getting There
If you're coming from the North or West, your best option is to drive through Waitakere village and follow Bethells Rd up and over the hill till you reach the intersection with Te Henga Rd. This is a steep and winding route, so take it easy and as you get to the one lane bridge near the intersection look to your left to see the entrance of the park. Turn left and be prepared to almost immediately cross the road into the park entrance - be wary of traffic coming at you at speed before you turn.
If you are coming from the south I would drive up the motorway to Lincoln Rd turnoff, turn right onto Universal drive at the lights (second set of lights once you are off the motorway), then follow the signs to Swanson where you can either use scenic drive > Te Henga drive, or get onto Waitakere Rd as above.
Parking
There is now more secure parking for floats (and horses) behind the stock yards. Unlock the gate using the code provided with your pass, and drive in to park. Please park considerately. Although this is a lightly used park, you never know when someone else may decide to try out this lovely park too.
Parking area can probably squeeze in 6 floats or trucks, if everyone parks nicely. This area is sometimes also used to store park supplies, like fence posts or gravel so do have a quick look when you get to the gate. Lock the front gate after you drive in please.
The front of the park has been reformed recently too, to provide some overflow parking, and a much better turnaround area.
Entrance Parking
There is now more parking out the front. This is next to the road so less secure. Please do not block the entrance gate.
Secure Parking
Behind the stock pens you can park your float or truck - it can be a bit of a squeeze if there are a few of you there
