Welcome!
Rimutaka Forest Park is a beautiful area of mostly native forest in the hills east of New Zealand's capital city, Wellington.
It encompasses the Rimutaka Ranges and the Orongorongo River, just north of the spectacular earthquake terraces and seal colony at the Turakirae Head Scientific Reserve.
The Park is characterised by steep, bush-clad hills and narrow fern-filled valleys cut by abundant freshwater streams and the beautiful Orongorongo River.
Throughout the park, there are many well-formed and signposted walking tracks appealing to bushwalkers and nature lovers of every age and state of fitness.
The park is easily accessed by road from Wellington or Lower Hutt. Simply take the hill road to Wainuiomata and follow all the signs to the Coast Road/ Rimutaka Forest Park and then turn left at the Catchpool Stream access road into the Park. (See Map)
The Rimutaka Forest Park Charitable Trust is committed to preserve and restore the natural and historic resources of the Rimutaka Forest Park valleys and environs... (More)
It has been active in bringing about many improvements to the Park and the Catchpool Stream picnic area and camping grounds. (Download our flyer here...)
Our "Restore the Dawn Chorus" project is now in its 9th year and our "Kiwi Project" has produced a large number of beautiful baby kiwi chicks!
Our latest Kiwi Avoidance Training sessions for Dogs will take place again at the Catchpool Centre on 13th March, 2010.
At a kiwi release blessing ceremony at the Wainuiomata Community Marae, "Sir Angus" is shown here before admiring children and long-serving Hutt City Councillor, Angus Finlayson, after whom this kiwi has been named. Shortly afterwards, this kiwi and its companion, "Whero", were taken back to the Rimutaka Forest Park for release into the wild. (Click for a larger image)
Helping to save our kiwi; Marcel's egg is gently removed from his burrow prior to candling and subsequent removal from the Park for hatching under controlled conditions. By doing so, we greatly increase the chance of survival of each chick that hatches, by protecting them from predation by stoats and other introduced pest animals until they're big enough to fight them off themselves!
Kiwi signs appear on the roadside approaches to the Rimutaka Forest Park now that we have established a population of North Island Brown Kiwi there.
New!! Click the DVD cover above to see viewing and download options for this excellent informational Digital Video Disk about the Rimutaka Forest Park and the Catchpool and Orongorongo Valleys.
Kiwi Spy
What's hidden down there in that deep, dark burrow? Here's a really good way to reveal all!
Read all about Alan Thompson's Kiwi Spy device here:
