Great Walks of New Zealand - Wakahi Walks

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About us

Rafick represents [Wakahi.com Limited](https://www.wakahi.com/) on this account.

Please visit our global hiking website (which includes a blog , a forum , and other things) at [Wakahi.com Limited](https://www.wakahi.com/). We also have a shop at [shop.wakahi.com ](https://shop.wakahi.com) where you will be able to read about hiking tips and guides and purchase gear and other hiking related products. Thanks.

Great Walks of New Zealand is a hiking/climbing group based in New Zealand. Our main aim is to promote health, well-being, and happiness by bringing together people interested in hiking, climbing, and travelling.

WHAT WE DO TO PROMOTE HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND HAPPINESS

1. Prioritising Happiness: We recognize the importance of happiness in overall well-being. We encourage activities and initiatives that promote joy, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment in outdoor adventures.
2. Boosting Physical and Mental Health: We encourage practices that support physical and mental well-being, such as regular training, proper nutrition, and mindfulness. We recognize the importance of rest and recovery to prevent injuries and maintain mental clarity.
3. Encouraging Personal Growth: We provide support opportunities for skill development and personal growth in hiking and climbing. We encourage continuous learning through training events.
4. Foster a Positive Environment: We create a supportive and inclusive community where individuals feel valued and respected. We promote positive interactions and discourage behaviors that contribute to stress or negativity, both on and off the trail.
5. Respect Individual Needs: We acknowledge and respect the diverse needs and preferences of hikers and climbers. We provide flexibility and accommodations to support different skill levels, physical abilities, and personal goals.

OUR EVENTS

1. The 11 official Great Walks of New Zealand.
2. Other walks that deserve to be on the list of Great Walks (e.g., Queen Charlotte Track, Te Paki Coastal Track).
3. Any walks that benefit the fitness, health, and happiness of our members.
4. The mountains of New Zealand.
5. The Great Walks and other interesting long-distance hiking trails of the world with emphasis on walks that are off the beaten tracks. We would like to avoid over-touristic places and in so doing help the advancement of poorer communities.
6. Mountains of the world (e.g., Mt. Fuji, Mt. Kilimanjaro), where fitness and endurance levels allow.

Our main emphasis will be on multi-day events, with day events primarily for training purposes. We aim to help as many members as possible reach the fitness and endurance levels required for challenging multi-day hikes.

Members joining an event are expected to contribute to the group as a whole. Unless the Organizer or Event Organizer agrees, members should not sign up for events with the intention of forming their own sub-group and walking separately from others. This has happened in the past, but we aim to avoid it as much as possible.

We will also organize short (1- or 2-day) hikes to help members who lack experience attain the required fitness level and acquire backcountry survival skills.

Please note that this is not a dating site. It is okay to meet someone you like and eventually partner with them, but please do not attend our events solely to meet someone. We will not tolerate members harassing or pressurizing other members.
Similarly, the Organiser will never harass or pressurize any other members, and I am confident that the Event Organisers I have nominated will not either.

CODE OF ETHICS

1. Respect for Nature: We commit to preserving the natural environment by following Leave No Trace principles, minimizing our impact, and respecting wildlife and plant life.
2. Safety First: We prioritize the safety of all members by adhering to safety guidelines, being prepared for all conditions, and looking out for one another.
3. Inclusivity and Respect: We foster an inclusive environment where all members feel welcome and respected, regardless of their background, experience level, or personal beliefs.
4. Community Contribution: Members are encouraged to contribute positively to the group by sharing knowledge, supporting fellow hikers, and participating actively in events.
5. Integrity and Honesty: We value honesty and integrity in all interactions, ensuring transparent communication and ethical behavior at all times.
6. Personal Responsibility: Each member is responsible for their own actions, including being prepared for hikes, respecting group decisions, and adhering to event guidelines.
7. Non-Harassment: We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment or pressure of any kind. Members are expected to interact respectfully and professionally.
8. Commitment to Fitness: We encourage members to work towards the fitness and endurance levels required for challenging hikes, supporting each other in achieving these goals.
9. No Sub-Groups: Members should not form sub-groups within events unless agreed upon by the Organiser or Event Organiser, to maintain group cohesion and unity.
10. Non-Dating Policy: While forming personal connections is natural, our events are not intended for dating. Members should not attend with the sole intention of meeting a romantic partner. It is however OK to meet someone and get connected with them romantically or otherwise if it comes naturally.

Featured event

Kuataika & Smyth Ridge Out-and-Back (15.4 km)

Sat, Oct 31 · 9:00 AM NZDT

Kuataika Trailhead Carpark, 1067 Anawhata Road, Anawhata, Auckland, NZ

Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026 at 9.0 am
Starting Point: Kuataika Track trailhead, Anawhata Road (small carpark — see location notes below) Distance: ~15.4 km (out and back) Elevation Gain: ~900 m total (climbs in both directions) Duration: ~5.5–6 hours walking Difficulty: Moderate

Event Description

In 2017, Auckland Council closed three tracks deep in the Waitākeres to protect kauri from the spread of dieback. They were upgraded, then closed again after the 2023 storms tore down ridges and slipped hillsides into valleys. Nine years later — in May 2026 — the last of them finally reopened. This walk takes us through the two that matter most for ridge walkers: Kuataika Track and Smyth Ridge Track. Almost nobody alive in Auckland today had walked these in nearly a decade. We're going to, for the second time in a few months.

We start at the small Anawhata Road carpark and climb straight into the Kuataika Track (5.2 km, ~2 hr 15 min one way). This is the heart of the newly restored section: steep climbs, stream crossings, and a sustained ascent through regenerating bush to Kuataika Trig, where views open out across the ranges to the Tasman Sea. From the trig, the brand-new Smyth Ridge Track (just over a year old in walkable form) carries us along an undulating ridge to its junction with Long Road Track — the gateway into Cascade Kauri Park. This is the point where, on a longer day, you could keep going all the way to the Falls Road carpark. For us, this is where we turn around and walk it back — same tracks, opposite direction, with views and angles we didn't catch on the way out.

A good full day on the trails — around 900 m of total climb across mixed terrain, sustained ridgelines, and mid-winter Waitākeres conditions, so expect mud and slippery roots. The track is well-marked throughout. The kind of day this group has done plenty of, just in a part of the ranges most of us haven't seen in a decade.

Why out-and-back: This route would also work as a point-to-point traverse all the way through to Cascade Kauri carpark, but that involves car shuttling and longer logistics. Out-and-back keeps it simple, everyone parks together at Anawhata, and we can flex the turnaround point if weather or pace requires.

Meeting: 9:00 am at the Anawhata Road carpark (Kuataika trailhead). The carpark is small — please carpool where possible. Drive time from Auckland CBD is roughly 1 hour 15 minutes, mostly via Scenic Drive and Piha Road, with the final stretch on gravel Anawhata Road.

Location notes: The Meetup pin is approximate. The actual starting point is the small Kuataika Track trailhead carpark, partway along Anawhata Road — NOT the beach carpark at the road end. Coordinates: -36.9286, 174.46929. If you reach the locked gate to Anawhata Beach, you've gone too far — turn around and look for the trailhead signpost on the way back.

What to Bring

Gear

Sturdy hiking boots with good grip (mud and slippery roots are guaranteed)
Weather-appropriate layers — merino base, fleece or insulating mid-layer
Waterproof jacket (essential — Waitākeres in June is wet)
Hat, gloves, beanie
Walking poles (recommended for the descents)

Food and Hydration

At least 2 litres of water
Lunch and snacks — this is a 6-hour day on the move
Hot drink in a thermos for the Kuataika Trig stop

Important Notes

Your safety is your responsibility.
Need a ride? Comment below! A $25 ($20 if more than 2 passengers) contribution to your driver is suggested.
Kauri dieback protection: Use every boot-cleaning station on the track. Scrub then spray — every time. The whole reason we can walk this route again is the upgrade work, and we don't undo it.

These tracks have been closed longer than some of us have lived in Auckland. Don't miss the chance to be among the first hikers back across them. See you at Anawhata.

Contribution
Please transfer $2 to Wakahi.com Limited acct number 02-0200-0260173-000.