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Key facts
- Distance
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 20 min – 1 hr
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Puketitiri area
- 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
A network of short walking tracks through varied regenerating vegetation.
This DOC directory entry covers William Hartree Memorial Reserve walks in Hawke's Bay, within Puketitiri 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: 20 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.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
William Hartree Memorial Scenic Reserve has a small network of tracks. These tracks give a good insight into the regenerating vegetation in the reserve consisting of broadleaved species, podocarps, manuka, kanuka and many tree ferns.
The Kanuka Loop track (10-20 minutes) is located nearest the lodge. This track has some steep up and downhill sections but overall is short and a good entry level track for beginners to challenge themselves. This is the best track to spot White Mistletoe.
The Punga track (10-20 minutes) branches off the Kanuka track and ends at a grassy lookout across the landscape.
The Tane Loop Track is located at the top of the reserve. This track is currently closed due to a large slip.
Getting there
4333 Puketitiri Road, Puketitiri 4184. Keep a look out for the directional roadside sign 6 km past Patoka, on the left.
Puketitiri is around one hour’s drive from Napier and is near Kaweka Forest Park.
Know before you go
No dogs, fires or camping allowed in the reserves.
Nature and conservation
Much of the original mature vegetation was destroyed by logging in the 1930’s, and the fire of 1946. The land had been cleared, but the steep faces proved unstable and the bush was allowed to regenerate from deep moist gullies.
A species of interest is the 'At risk - Declining' Tāpia/White Mistletoe/Tupeia antarctica. Possums are the main threat limiting its success, but it is doing well within the reserve.
Keep an eye out for it when walking the tracks. It's tiny green/yellow flowers can be seen from October to December with white/pink fruit from December to March. It can present as a rounded shrub up to 1 metre wide, growing on other trees such as mahoe and five finger as a parisite. It has white bark and fleshy bright green leaves 10-70 cm long. It has been regularly sighted on a range of trees alongside the driveway and lodge.
The regenerating forest is made up of broadleaved species, podocarps, manuka, kanuka and tree ferns.
Wildlife known to frequent the reserve include tui, kereru, bellbird, fantail, grey warbler, waxeye, rifleman and tomtit. Possums, deer, rats, mustelids and wild cats are an ongoing challenge for ecosystem recovery.
Today this ecosystem is regenerating and maturing well. In 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle caused a large slip in the top portion of the reserve, destroying the top loop walking track.
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.
