Arataki Visitor Centre

25/10/2024

Join our friends from BirdCare Aotearoa at the Hollywood Avondale on Sunday 10 November for a frighteningly good fundraiser screening of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds! 🦅

All funds raised will support the amazing efforts of BirdCare Aotearoa 💚

Hitchcock's The Birds

22/10/2024

We had such a wonderful time at our Friends of Arataki Society Kids Day on Sunday, with one of the biggest turn outs on record! 🌞
Thank you to all the community for coming out to support the day 💚

📸Check out these awesome photos from Kermath at Cuetone Media!

15/10/2024

🔔 Welcome to the first installment of Waitākere Wonders, a series that will show you some of the highlights of the great Waitākere Ranges!

This week: The Karamatura to Mt. Donald McLean route.

This route includes the Karamatura Loop Track, Karamatura Track, Donald McLean Track, and Mt. Donald McLean Walk.

Time: 5 hours (return)
Distance: 11.3km (return)
Difficulty: Moderate - Lots of stairs on Karamatura Track (apprx. 1500)
Dogs: Allowed on-leash
Starting Point: Karamatura Carpark off Huia Rd

Key features:
💧15m high Karamatura Falls
⛰️Viewpoint from the Mt. Donald McLean peak (389m
elevation)
🌊Walking stream-side in the heart of the Karamatura Valley

Happy hiking 💚

11/10/2024

Now that summer is approaching, you'll see our friends, Danish Delight open more often over the warmer months on fine days! 🍦

And of course you'll see them at the Friends of Arataki Kids Day! on Sunday 20 October 🌞

Also, the warmer weather means that our carpark is now open for it's summer hours - everyday from 6am - 9pm! 💚

10/10/2024

It's almost time for our annual Friends of Arataki Kids Day! Sunday 20 October, 11am - 3pm 💚

FEATURING:
The Amazing Bug man
Face painting
Art & Craft activities
Bouncy Castle
Sausage sizzle (cash only)
The Eel Whisperer
Waicare Water Monsters
Games
EcoMatters ...and more!

Rain or shine!🌞

🚗PARKING: Kids Day parking is at 221 Scenic Drive with a free shuttle running to and from Arataki.

Parking is limited, please carpool when possible.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Send a message to learn more

06/10/2024

We're excited to be visiting our friends at Titirangi Community Library tomorrow! Join us at 10.30am for Ngā Rau o Parekura - Parekura's Feathers! 💚🪶

Send a message to learn more

06/10/2024

Hoki mai, Kōwhai!
Arataki Visitor Centre are thrilled to announce the return of Kate Parker's enchanting artwork to our gallery space. These stunning lightboxes showcase the story told in Kate's award-winning picture book 'Kōwhai and the Giants'.
Welcome back, Kōwhai!

02/10/2024

Did you know there are over 130 species of endemic mokomoko (lizards) that call Aotearoa home? 🦎

Join the conservation learning team from Auckland Zoo at the Arataki Visitor Centre for 45 minutes these school holidays to learn all about mokomoko and how to identify them! 💚

Attending whānau will have the opportunity to get close to endemic geckos, talk to conservation experts and even practice creating safe spaces for lizards using backyard materials. There will be action-based exercises and experiences to help translate curiosity and compassion into meaningful actions for te taiao o Aotearoa.

10-10:45 am OR 1-1:45 pm on Wednesday 9 or Friday 11 October!

Please note - these sessions are the same, repeated, please only attend one! 🙂 Drop in event, no bookings required

Send a message to learn more

01/10/2024

Kia ora koutou e te whānau – it's that time of year!
As summer approaches, we’re recruiting for a Summer Visitor Services Representative here at Arataki Visitor Centre! 🌞

The perfect student summer job, this full time position duration is from 12 November 2024 – 14 February 2025.

Applications are open NOW until Saturday 12 October – apply here:
https://careers.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/job/West-Auckland-Summer-Visitor-Services-Representative-1010/1056348566/

Please note this position requires you to work Tuesday - Saturday and some public holidays💚

30/09/2024

We had such a great time making beeswax wraps with the amazing Earthbound Honey Ltd. Sustainable Artisan Beekeepers yesterday! Ngā mihi nui to everyone that came along to join us!

Thank you Arataki Visitor Centre for hosting us today. An amazing turnout this afternoon teaching our Tamariki how to make wax food wraps and sharing our knowledge of the honey bee. Tohatoha i te matauranga 😊
Catalina Bay Farmers Market
The Bethells Farm Shop

29/09/2024

The school holidays are here! Join us tomorrow (Tuesday) from 10am and Make a Bug Hotel! with us! 💚🦗

Send a message to learn more

25/09/2024

Kia Ora e te whānau - the school holidays are just around the corner! 💚

Come along to our first workshop on Monday 30 September at 2pm - Make a Beeswax Wrap with Earthbound Honey!

Join the awesome team from Earthbound Honey Ltd. Sustainable Artisan Beekeepers as they show you how to make your very own beeswax wrap to take home and enjoy 🐝

Send a message to learn more

16/09/2024

Ngā mihi nui BirdCare Aotearoa! 🦉💚

13/09/2024

Mōrena, e te whānau! Nau mai, piki mai, kake mai, haere mai ki te Whare Manuhiri o Arataki mō te Wiki o te Reo Māori! He maha ā mātou rauemi reo: he kēmu, he kāri, he taputapu hoki 😎
Whether you're beginning or continuing your haerenga reo, come and practise your kōrero with the many games and resources we've set up to celebrate Māori Language Week at the Arataki Visitor Centre. E pao, tōrea!

11/09/2024

🌳🌟 Are You Our Next Summer Ranger? 🌟🌳

Auckland’s Regional Parks are the heart of our region, preserving unique landscapes, protecting rare ecosystems, and hosting up to 7 million visitors every year! 🦜🌿 Our Summer Park Rangers play a crucial role in ensuring that every outdoor adventure is safe, enjoyable, and memorable, offering expert guidance and friendly service daily. 🌍💚

This year, Western Regional Parks are seeking 8 Summer Rangers to join the team!

📅 Position Details:
Full-time from 13 November 2024 - 14 February 2025 or 13 November 2024 - 14 March 2025.
Mandatory training camp: 18-22 November 2024 at Atiu Creek Regional Park.

Roster includes every weekend and public holiday over the summer period, including Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Check out this fact sheet for info on what tasks you can expect.
Western Regional Parks:-> https://bit.ly/4dQ7YVQ

Applications close Wednesday 18 September!

Me Tono Ināianei!: For more details and to apply, click on the hyperlink below! 👇
Summer Rangers – Western Regional Parks:-> https://tinyurl.com/yckd3vm3

10/09/2024

It's the last Sunday Soup Lunch Talks with Friends of Arataki Society! this Sunday 15 September!

Listen to Edward Ashby, CEO of Te Kawerau Iwi Tiaki Trust will join us to discuss the iwi’s 'Heart of the Ngahere' proposal, including the creation of a new wildlife sanctuary in the centre of the ranges.

This is a key initiative to help drive protection and enhancement of the biodiversity of the area over the inter-generational long-term.
A fascinating talk - not to be missed!

Send a message to learn more

05/09/2024

Mōrena e te whānau - great news, we're finally back to full power here at ! 💡

Thank you to everyone that still visited us while we were on generator power, we appreciate your patience and understanding 💚

We're a bit late, but happy Conservation week! Visit us over the weekend and check out some of the fun conversation activities we have out around the visitor centre 🌿

30/08/2024

14/08/2024

Kia ora e te whānau, please see below a couple of updates from Auckland Transport regarding works out west.. a reminder you can still access Arataki Visitor Centre either via the Huia Road detour, Shaw Road or Konini Road 💚

From Auckland Transport:
Kia ora community,
The timeframe for slip repairs to Scenic Drive, Titirangi has changed. Originally, we were working on 2 major slip repairs. During works we decided to fix a third damaged section 76m long that has not collapsed yet but will slip if the road is open to traffic.
The first two sections are almost 90% complete. However, we have experienced delays in the design for the third section. There has been some complexity in getting the structural components of the wall design correct. This element is essential as the road must withstand the load of heavy vehicles. This design delay has deferred the start of construction of the retaining wall.
Last week our contractors began rock scaling the embankment above this section of the road. Rock scaling involves working on abseiling equipment to assess the stability of the embankment, and to remove any unstable sections or rocks from the rockface.
We undertook a geotechnical assessment of the embankment above the road corridor. We discovered a section of the embankment where there are large fissures, or cracks in the rocks, and there is potential risk that this will collapse onto the road. We are planning to build a buttress wall to protect the road from this embankment. Although this damage is not on AT property, we will need to address this risk before the road can be opened.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.

This section will remain closed to pedestrian and cycle access. Kohu Road will remain closed at the Scenic Drive end, except to pedestrians and cyclists.
We know this update is going to be disappointing, and we acknowledge also that there is still a lot of work to complete in surrounding areas.

Next week our contractors will start work on two more slip repair sites on Karekare Road. The road will be closed, and the detour route is via Lone Kauri Road. Thank you for your patience during the recovery work.

11/08/2024

Kia ora e te whānau - the entrance way to Arataki Visitor Centre is getting a much needed re-paint starting from tomorrow 💚
There will be some scaffold up around the stairs and entrance way, but we remain open and ready to welcome you throughout the works!

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and understanding 🙏