By Outdoor Next Editorial standards
On this page
Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -39.43351, 176.85539. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 40 min / 1 hr
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Napier area
- Seasonal restrictions
- Closed for lambing 1 August - 30 September. May be closed at other times for farm management.
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
The walkway crosses farmland through two old pā sites with terraces, pits and middens (shell dumps). Most of the farmland was under water prior to the Napier earthquake in 1931.
This DOC directory entry covers Whakamaharatanga Walkway in Hawke's Bay, within Napier area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 40 min / 1 hr
- DOC grade: Easy
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Seasonal restrictions
Closed for lambing 1 August - 30 September. May be closed at other times for farm management.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Rorookuri Loop Track
Rorookuri was an island in the original Te Whanganui a Oroto lagoon and its archaeological features are of much interest. One of these, Otiere Pā, was defended by two transverse ditches and a bank across the narrow headland, both of which can still be seen today.
The Rorookuri Loop Track follows the base of Rookuri Hill, past Otiere Pā and back to the carpark.
Rorookuri Summit Track
The other option is to walk over the top of Rorookuri Hill and back around either side. The summit offers magnificent views of Hawke’s Bay.
Getting there
Accessed from Onehunga Road, off Main North Road from Napier.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
