Kaitoke Regional Park

Regional park in the Wellington Region

Kaitoke Regional Park

Hutt River in Kaitoke Regional Park

Type| Wellington Regional park
Location| Kaitoke, New Zealand
Coordinates| 41°04′08″S 175°11′55″E﻿ / ﻿41.069027°S 175.198658°E﻿ / -41.069027; 175.198658
Area| 2,860 ha (7,100 acres)
Created| 1983
Operated by| Wellington Regional Council
Open| 6am-6pm (April–September)
6am-9pm (October–March)
Status| Open

Kaitoke Regional Park is regional park located at Kaitoke, northeast of Upper Hutt, in the Wellington Region of New Zealand's southern North Island. It is administered by Wellington Regional Council,[1] alongside the adjacent Hutt Water Collection Area.[2]

## Geography

[edit]

The park covers 2,860 ha (7,100 acres) in the Tararua Ranges foothills. The steep hills and Hutt River gorge are covered in native trees.[1]

The conifer-broadleaf rainforest at the fork of Pākuratahi River and Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River typifies the original vegetation of the area. There is centuries-old rātā, rimu, hinau and kāmahi on the upper slopes, red beech on the lower slopes, and black beech on higher spurs and ridge tops with poorer soils.[3]

The forests form an ecological corridor between the Remutaka Ranges and Tararua Ranges, and Pakuratahi and Hutt River catchments. The connected bush provides a habitat for a range of birds and native fish, including tūī, kererū, pīwakawaka (fantails), korimako (bellbirds) or miromiro (tomtits).[3]

## History

[edit]

### Pre-establishment

[edit]

Before European settlement, local Māori had established several routes between Wairarapa and Wellington through the Kaitoke area. Whakataka Pā is believed to have established at Te Mārua before 1820. A European road was opened in 1856.[4]

Many of the forests were cleared by early European settlers to provide timber, farm supplies, water and transport routes. Some areas of untouched forest were purchased by local authorities in 1939 for water supplies.[4] Further adjacent land was purchased after World War II, on 20 November 1951, to form Hutt Water Collection Area.[5]

Following the war, the area became a site for picnicking and swimming. In 1976 the Wellington Regional Planning Authority identified the area as a potential regional park because of its native forests and recreational options.[4]

### Post-establishment

[edit]

The park officially opened in 1983.[4] The Wellington Botanical Society and local Upper Hutt branch of Forest and Bird have been involved in protecting and restoring the park.[3]

The park was the filming location for exterior shots of Rivendell for the 2001 movie The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.[6]

Two people were injured in a plane crash in the regional park in 2016,[7] and one person died in another plane crash in 2020.[8] Toxic algae has remained an ongoing issue in the regional park, with outbreaks in November 2017 and February 2019.[9][10]

In August 2021, a wheelchair-accessible suspension bridge was opened across Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River.[11] During the same month, major restoration work began to make the park a carbon sink for the Wellington Region.[12][13]

## Recreation

[edit]

The park consists mostly native bush, but there are also walking tracks and swimming holes. The most popular loop walk in the park leads through the valley of the upper Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River. The suspension bridge and some forest tracks are wheelchair accessible.[1][11]

There are several sites for camping, with drinking water, toilet, power outlet and electric barbecue facilities. Campfires are permitted, but not near riverbeds or tent sites.[1]

As a filming location for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the park also has sightseeing spots and guided tours for Tolkien tourists.[14]

The park opened from 6am to 6pm between April and September, and from 6am to 9pm between October and March. Dogs are permitted, but fireworks are not.[1]

## Climate

[edit]

Climate data for Kaitoke (1991–2020)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | 20.6
(69.1)  | 21.3
(70.3)  | 19.4
(66.9)  | 17.0
(62.6)  | 14.6
(58.3)  | 11.8
(53.2)  | 11.6
(52.9)  | 12.1
(53.8)  | 13.6
(56.5)  | 15.2
(59.4)  | 16.8
(62.2)  | 19.1
(66.4)  | 16.1
(61.0)
Daily mean °C (°F)  | 15.9
(60.6)  | 16.2
(61.2)  | 14.4
(57.9)  | 11.9
(53.4)  | 10.1
(50.2)  | 7.9
(46.2)  | 7.4
(45.3)  | 7.6
(45.7)  | 9.4
(48.9)  | 10.6
(51.1)  | 11.9
(53.4)  | 14.5
(58.1)  | 11.5
(52.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 11.2
(52.2)  | 11.0
(51.8)  | 9.3
(48.7)  | 6.8
(44.2)  | 5.5
(41.9)  | 3.9
(39.0)  | 3.2
(37.8)  | 3.1
(37.6)  | 5.1
(41.2)  | 5.9
(42.6)  | 7.0
(44.6)  | 9.8
(49.6)  | 6.8
(44.3)
Average rainfall mm (inches)  | 116.8
(4.60)  | 133.9
(5.27)  | 131.7
(5.19)  | 178.9
(7.04)  | 120.8
(4.76)  | 210.3
(8.28)  | 237.5
(9.35)  | 210.8
(8.30)  | 202.6
(7.98)  | 300.6
(11.83)  | 235.7
(9.28)  | 148.1
(5.83)  | 2,227.7
(87.71)
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 223.4  | 184.5  | 159.7  | 140.4  | 100.0  | 62.0  | 84.3  | 102.2  | 119.1  | 157.8  | 150.7  | 177.4  | 1,661.5
Source: NIWA (sun 1981–2010)[15]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e "Kaitoke Regional Park". gw.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
2. ^ "Hutt Water Collection Area". gw.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
3. ^ a b c "Environment". gw.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
4. ^ a b c d "History". gwrc.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
5. ^ Walzl, Tony. "Hutt and Wainuiomata/Orongorongo water collection areas History" (PDF). gwrc.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
6. ^ "Kaitoke Regional Park, Wellington, New Zealand". www.newzealand.com. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
7. ^ Weekes, John (2 March 2016). "Two people escape injury as light aircraft damaged in Kaitoke crash". stuff.co.nz. Dominion Post.
8. ^ Cornish, Sophie (24 November 2016). "Victim of fatal microlight crash near Upper Hutt airfield named". stuff.co.nz. Dominion Post.
9. ^ Williams, Colin (20 December 2017). "No Christmas cheer for Hutt River users". stuff.co.nz. Dominion Post.
10. ^ Fallon, Virginia (1 February 2019). "Swimmers warned to take care after toxic algae found in Wellington region's rivers". stuff.co.nz. Dominion Post.
11. ^ a b "Accessible Suspension Bridge Swings Into Action At Kaitoke Regional Park". scoop.co.nz. Wellington Regional Council. 13 August 2021.
12. ^ "Wellington creating new carbon sink with up to 28,000 trees to be planted". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. New Zealand Herald. 3 December 2020.
13. ^ "Grazing Land Out To Pasture At QEP And Kaitoke, Permanent Carbon Sink To Take Its Place". scoop.co.nz. Wellington Regional Council. 13 August 2021.
14. ^ "Rivendell". gw.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
15. ^ "CliFlo – National Climate Database : Ohakune Ews". NIWA. Retrieved 20 May 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Greater Wellington Regional Council

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kaitoke Regional Park.

* v
* t
* e

Upper Hutt, New Zealand

Seat: Upper Hutt Central

Populated places|

| Suburbs|

* Birchville
* Brown Owl
* Clouston Park
* Ebdentown
* Elderslea
* Emerald Hill
* Heretaunga
* Kingsley Heights
* Mangaroa
* Maoribank
* Moonshine
* Parkdale
* Pinehaven
* Riverstone Terraces
* Silverstream
* Te Mārua
* Timberlea
* Tōtara Park
* Trentham
* Upper Hutt Central
* Wallaceville
* Whitemans Valley

|

Rural|

* Cloustonville
* Kaitoke
* Maymorn

Geographic features|

* Akatarawa
* Barton's Bush
* Hutt Valley
* Mawaihakona Stream
* Moonshine Valley
* Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River

Facilities and attractions|

* Akatarawa Forest
* Birchville Dam
* Golder Cottage
* Hutt Valley Line
* Kaitoke Regional Park
* Maidstone Park
* May Morn Estates Tramway
* Pākuratahi Forest
* Royal Wellington Golf Club
* Silver Stream Railway
* St John's Anglican Church
* Trentham Memorial Park
* Trentham Military Camp
* Trentham Racecourse
* Upper Hutt Blockhouse

| Railway stations|

* Heretaunga
* Kaitoke
* Mangaroa
* Maymorn
* Silverstream Bridge
* Silverstream
* Trentham
* Upper Hutt
* Wallaceville

|

Government|

* City Council
* Mayor
* Regional Council

Organisations|

* Association of Radio Transmitters
* Wellington Naturist Club

Schools|

* Heretaunga College
* Hutt International Boys' School
* St Patrick's College, Silverstream
* Upper Hutt College

* v
* t
* e

Greater Wellington Regional Council

Regional parks|

* Akatarawa Forest
* Baring Head
* Battle Hill Farm Forest Park
* Belmont Regional Park
* East Harbour Regional Park
* Hutt River Trail
* Hutt Water Collection Area
* Kaitoke Regional Park
* Pakuratahi Forest
* Queen Elizabeth Park
* Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour
* Wainuiomata Regional Park
* Wainuiomata Water Collection Area
* Wairarapa Moana Wetlands
* Wellington Harbour
* Whitireia Park

* v
* t
* e

Protected areas of New Zealand

Conservation parks|

* Ahuriri
* Aorangi
* Aotea
* Catlins
* Coromandel
* Craigieburn
* Eyre Mountains/Taka Ra Haka
* Hakatere
* Hāwea
* Hanmer
* Kaimai Mamaku
* Kaimanawa
* Kaweka
* Ka Whata Tu O Rakihouia
* Korowai / Torlesse Tussocklands
* Lake Sumner
* Mavora Lakes
* Mount Richmond
* Northland
* North-west Nelson
* Oteake
* Pirongia
* Pureora
* Remutaka
* Ruahine
* Raukumara
* Ruataniwha
* Tararua
* Te Kahui Kaupeka
* Te Papanui
* Victoria
* Whakarewarewa
* Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne

Ecological islands|

* Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
* Bushy Park
* Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
* Orokonui Ecosanctuary
* Tawharanui Open Sanctuary
* Zealandia

Government purpose reserves|

* Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve
* Pukaha / Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre

Historic reserves|

* Hāpūpū / J M Barker
* Maungauika / North Head
* Puhi Kai Iti / Cook Landing Site
* Stony Batter
* Te Kuri a Paoa/Young Nick's Head

Marine reserves|

* Akaroa
* Auckland Islands
* Cape Rodney-Okakari Point
* Hautai
* Hawea (Clio Rocks)
* Hikurangi
* Horoirangi
* Kahukura (Gold Arm)
* Kahurangi
* Kapiti
* Kermadec Islands
* Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm)
* Long Bay-Okura
* Long Island-Kokomohua
* Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm)
* Motu Manawa-Pollen Island
* Moutere Hauriri / Bounty Islands
* Moutere Ihupuku / Campbell Island
* Moutere Mahue / Antipodes Island
* Parininihi
* Piopiotahi (Milford Sound)
* Pohatu / Flea Bay
* Poor Knights Islands
* Punakaiki
* Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island)
* Tapuae
* Taputeranga
* Taumoana (Five Finger Peninsula)
* Tauparikākā
* Tāwharanui
* Te Angiangi
* Te Awaatu Channel (The Gut)
* Te Hapua (Sutherland Sound)
* Te Matuku
* Te Paepae o Aotea (Volkner Rocks)
* Te Tapuwae o Hua (Long Sound)
* Te Tapuwae o Rongokako
* Tonga Island
* Tuhua (Mayor Island)
* Ulva Island-Te Wharawhara
* Waiau Glacier Coast
* Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu)
* Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove)
* Whangarei Harbour

National parks|

| Current|

* Abel Tasman
* Aoraki / Mount Cook
* Arthur's Pass
* Egmont
* Fiordland
* Kahurangi
* Mount Aspiring
* Nelson Lakes
* Paparoa
* Rakiura
* Tongariro
* Westland Tai Poutini
* Whanganui

|

Former|

* Te Urewera

National reserves|

* Hāpūpū / J M Barker
* Lewis Pass
* Puhi Kai Iti / Cook Landing Site
* Subantarctic Islands
* Te Kuri a Paoa/Young Nick's Head

Recreation reserves|

* Bastion Point
* Otago Central Rail Trail
* Truby King Recreation Reserve

Regional parks|

* Akatarawa
* Ambury
* Ashley Rakahuri
* Ātiu Creek
* Auckland Botanic Gardens
* Āwhitu
* Battle Hill Farm
* Belmont
* Duder
* East Harbour
* Ferrymead
* Glenfern Sanctuary
* Hunua Ranges
* Kaitoke
* Lake Tekapo
* Long Bay
* Mahurangi
* Motukorea Browns Island
* Muriwai
* Mutukaroa / Hamlins Hill
* Ōmana
* Onekawa Te Mawhai
* Orere Point
* Pākiri
* Pakuratahi
* Papamoa Hills
* Queen Elizabeth
* Scandrett
* Shakespear
* Tāpapakanga
* Tāwharanui
* Tawhitokino
* Te Ārai
* Te Muri
* Te Rau Pūriri
* Waharau
* Waimakariri River
* Wainuiomata Regional Park
* Waitākere Ranges
* Waitawa
* Wenderholm
* Whakanewha
* Whakatīwai

Scenic reserves|

* Alice Eaves Reserve
* Bruce Park
* Goldie Bush
* Peel Forest Park
* Waro Limestone

Wetlands|

* Awarua Wetland
* Farewell Spit
* Firth of Thames
* Kopuatai Peat Dome
* Manawatū Estuary
* Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve
* Wairarapa Moana
* Whangamarino

Other areas|

* Fensham Reserve
* Hutt Water Collection Area
* Northern Pegasus Bay
* Wainuiomata Water Collection Area
* Whitireia

Other|

* Amenity area
* Ecological area
* Sanctuary area
* Wilderness area
* Wildlife management area

* v
* t
* e

Tolkien tourism destinations

Peter Jackson
film locations
(New Zealand)|

| North Island|

| Waikato|

* Hobbiton Movie Set
* The Shire
* Mount Ngauruhoe
* Mount Doom

|

Manawatū-Whanganui|

* Mangawhero River
* Ithilien
* Mount Ruapehu
* Gates of Mordor
* Rangipo Desert
* Gates of Mordor
* Rangitīkei River
* River Anduin
* Tongariro National Park
* Emyn Muil
* Whakapapa skifield
* Mordor

Wellington|

* Kaitoke Regional Park
* Rivendell and the Fords of Isen
* Mount Victoria
* Escaping the Shire and Dunharrow
* Pūtangirua Pinnacles
* Dimholt Road
* Wētā Workshop

South Island|

| Nelson|

* Mount Olympus, Kahurangi National Park
* Outcrop south of Rivendell
* Tākaka Hill
* Chetwood

|

Tasman|

* Mount Owen
* Dimrill Dale

Canterbury|

* Mount Sunday, Mount Potts station
* Edoras
* Twizel
* Pelennor Fields

Otago|

* Dart River / Te Awa Whakatipu
* Isengard, Lothlórien and Amon Hen
* Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge
* The Argonath
* Mount Aspiring National Park
* Isengard
* Skippers Canyon
* Ford of Bruinen
* The Remarkables
* Misty Mountains
* Twelve Mile Delta, Queenstown
* Ithilien camp

Westland|

* Mount Gunn, Franz Josef Glacier
* Ered Nimrais

Southland|

* Kepler Mire
* Dead Marshes
* Mavora Lakes
* Nen Hithoel, Fangorn, Silverlode River and River Anduin
* Snowdon Forest
* Fangorn
* Waiau River
* River Anduin

: J. R. R. Tolkien
locations
(Europe)|

| United Kingdom|

| Oxford|

* The Eagle and Child
* Exeter College
* Merton College
* Pembroke College
* Northmoor Road
* Wolvercote Cemetery

|

Birmingham|

* Birmingham Oratory
* Sarehole Mill

Worcestershire|

* Malvern Hills

Switzerland|

* Jenins
* Lauterbrunnen

See also
Tolkien Societies
Tolkien fandom
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template