Walk through gum trees and regenerating native forest to Kororipo Pā. The pā served as Hongi Hika’s coastal fortified settlement and played an important role in New Zealand’s musket war campaigns.
About the walk
How long will it take? This is an easy 1km one-hour one-way walk.
The Hongi Hika track links Kororipo Pā with Kerikeri and Hōne Heke roads. Starting from Hōne Heke Road, this well-formed track meanders through mature gums and regenerating native forest, across a small bridge to a fork in the track approximately 70m from the bridge. Turn left to exit at the car park just below the historic St James Church or take the right-hand fork and walk on up to the Kororipo Pā site.
The track is within Hongi Hika Recreation Reserve in Kerikeri. You can reach the Hongi Hika Track from three different entry points: from the St James car park at 209 Kerikeri Road; from Hōne Heke Road on the NorthTec campus boundary; or from the junction of Kororipo Pā Track.
The Hongi Hika track runs along the same pathway used by pre-European Māori warriors to access the bountiful Kerikeri River from their permanent residences further inland.