Arataki Visitor Centre is a tourism and education centre in West Auckland, New Zealand, often described as the gateway to the Waitākere Ranges.[1][2][3] The centre provides information about the Waitākere Ranges, and organises educational events.
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| Address | 300 Scenic Drive, Oratia, Auckland 0604 |
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| Coordinates | 36°56′49″S 174°36′23″E / 36.94701°S 174.60646°E |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1994 |
History
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The Arataki Nature Trail, located near the site of the visitor centre, was first opened in 1974. The name Arataki is a Māori language word, meaning an "instructional path".[4] The plant identification trail features examples of different species found in the Waitākere Ranges.[5]
The visitor centre was opened in 1994,[4] with a design by Harry Turbott.[6][7] The carved pou at the entrance of the centre depicts the ancestors of Te Kawerau ā Maki, including Tiriwā (the namesake of the Waitākere Ranges name in Māori, Te Wao Nui a Tiriwa), followed by Rakatāura / Hape (tohunga of the Tainui), Hoturoa, Maki (the namesake ancestor of Te Kawerau ā Maki) and his son and grandson.[8] The pou was removed in 2009 due to damage to the wood, and was replaced with a new pou constructed from fallen kauri from the Waitākere Ranges.[9]
In late 2017, Te Kawerau ā Maki placed a rāhui on the tracks of the Waitākere Ranges, due to the effects of Kauri dieback on the forest,[10] followed by a formal closure of the tracks by Auckland Council in April 2018.[11] The upper Arataki Nature Trail was one of the first tracks to reopen after track upgrades, in May 2018.[12]
Facility
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The Arataki Visitor Centre is the start point for the Hillary Trail, a multi-day walk through the Waitākere Ranges to Muriwai which opened in January 2010.[13][14] As of 2023, the full track remains closed due to the effects of Kauri dieback.[15] The centre is also the starting point for the Rangemore Track, and a five-minute educational nature walk, which explores the different forest biomes found in the Waitākere Ranges.[16]
The visitor centre is also used as a gallery space, including nature photography,[17] and fibre installations by New Zealand weaver Maureen Lander.[18]
References
edit- ^ Charman, Paul (11 August 2014). "Waitakeres adventure begins at the 'I centre'". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Salamat, Hidayah (6 August 2022). "After 2 difficult pandemic years, I found closure – and rediscovered bliss – in New Zealand". Channel News Asia. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Dench, Alison; Parore, Lee-anne (30 April 2011). "Walking the Waitakere Ranges". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b Cameron, Ewen; Hayward, Bruce; Murdoch, Graeme (2008). A Field Guide to Auckland: Exploring the Region's Natural and Historical Heritage (Revised ed.). Random House New Zealand. p. 177. ISBN 978-1-86962-1513.
- ^ Dench, Alison; Parore, Lee-Anne (2014). Walking the Waitakere Ranges: 45 Coastal and Bush Walks (4th ed.). Auckland: New Holland Publishers. pp. 35–36. ISBN 978-1-86966-426-8. OCLC 894037427. OL 30857674M. Wikidata Q123383221.
- ^ Watkins, Tony (2021). "Harry Turbott in the Wide World". Back Story Journal of New Zealand Art, Media & Design History (10): 49–61. doi:10.24135/backstory.vi10.70. ISSN 2703-1713. S2CID 249997321.
- ^ Rees-Owen, Rose (21 March 2016). "Obituary: landscape architect Harry Turbott mourned by Karekare". Western Leader. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
- ^ Irwin, Geoff; Walrond, Carl (1 May 2016). "When was New Zealand first settled? - Genealogical dating". Te Ara. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Coney, Sandra. "New pou for Arataki visitor centre | Piha | Piha Beach | Piha New Zealand". www.piha.co.nz. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ Smith, Simon (1 December 2017). "Iwi ban on entering Auckland park has support and detractors". Stuff. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Wilson, Simon (20 February 2018). "Auckland Council to close Waitakere Ranges". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ OurAuckland (4 May 2018). "Arataki tracks open this weekend". Auckland Council. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Daniell, Sarah (20 February 2016). "West Auckland: Walk the Hillary way". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ OurAuckland (22 February 2021). "Track reopening makes western coastline more accessible". Auckland Council. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Te Ara o Hillary Hillary Trail". Auckland Council. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Harvey, Bob (2012). Untamed Coast: Auckland's Waitakere Ranges and Heritage Area (revised and updated ed.). Auckland: Exisle Publishing. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-908988-67-9.
- ^ Foxcroft, Debrin (25 January 2018). "West Auckland photographer channels her love of birds". Stuff. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Artist Inspired by Local Landmarks". The Big Idea, Te Aria Nui. 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2015.