The extensive area now known as Woodhill Forest is an important part of the cultural landscape of Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara. Many ancestral names (like Te Kēti, Kuwakatai, Waionui, Korekore and Ōkiritoto) were used for different areas and features, but the land became generally known as Woodhill when it passed into Crown ownership to be developed as forest.
Today, the land under the forest is privately owned and managed by Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara after a 2013 Treaty of Waitangi settlement. To learn more about the history of the area, and the Treaty settlement click here.
Public access is still permitted in designated areas of the forest for a wide range of recreational activities including; horse-riding, mountain biking, tree climbing, paintball, 4 wheel driving and off-road motorcycling. All access permits for other activities are issued through the commercial office of Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara (located at Restall Road, Waimauku, phone +64 9 420 9566 – open 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays).
This website is intended to help you safely enjoy your time in Woodhill Forest, and we will be continuing to expand the features of the site over the coming weeks and months.
Mauri ora!
