You must be registered as a casual rider or member to enter the horse park. You must ride with a current receipt or membership ID card or risk being asked to leave the park, or trespassed.

The horse park and forest closing time is from 8 pm until the end of daylight saving.

OFFICE HOURS

9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday (closed on weekends and holidays)

09 420 9566 ext. 1

71 Restall Road Waimauku – map

[email protected]

AFTER HOURS

If you need to contact us after hours regarding an incident in Woodhill Forest that requires an immediate response from our Company (i.e. a matter of urgency that cannot wait until the next business day), please phone 021 128 4550 to reach the after hours duty manager. In an EMERGENCY dial 111.

ACCESS

  • The equestrian park and the access gate on Restall Road open at 6.30 am and close at 6 pm in winter and 8 pm in summer.
  • No access via Coast Road and the Muriwai horse gates before 6.30 am, or after 6 pm in winter and 8 pm in summer.
  • Summer hours begin and end with daylight saving.
  • No riding on forest land outside of the horse park boundary other than on the approved marked trails that are conditionally accessible south of the horse park.
  • No riding during the hours of darkness.
  • Vehicles left in the forest after hours will be towed at the owner’s expense or a release fee will be charged by security – First Security 0800 347 787.

KAITIAKI

Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara welcome the continued use of designated parts of Woodhill Forest by the equestrian community, through the Kake Hōiho operations. Equestrian access to the forest requires a current membership registration or a casual registration for the day. Registered riders will be provided with an access key and an ID card or receipt, which must be carried at all times when riding in the forest. If you are found in the park/forest without an ID card or receipt, you will be asked to leave and you risk being trespassed. Forest Kaitiaki/Wardens are patrolling the park/forest, if you are riding without our company vests you could be approached by them for proof of registration.

NURSERY
If you are interested in hiring the Nursery cabin/campsite, please see the form below for details – you will need to check with reception for availability.

We do not accept bookings months in advance of holiday periods, unless the group is 10 or more and the stay is at least 2 nights. A 50% deposit is required within 5 days of making the booking.

Download Facility Hire Agreement (Nursery Campsite)

Download Images of the Nursery Campsite

MAP

A copy of the horse park map is available below. The map shows the tracks that have been cleared and reopened since the storm in April 2018.

Download Kake Hōiho horse park map

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Restall Road office will be closed tomorrow, Friday, March 15, 2024. You can contact us by email at [email protected].
You must be registered as a casual rider or member to enter the horse park. You must ride with a current receipt or membership ID card, or risk being asked to leave the park or trespassed.

The horse park and forest closing time is 8 pm, until the end of daylight saving.

Office hours are from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday (closed on weekends and holidays).

Dog owners please note: Over the years, we have continued to receive complaints regarding the behaviour of dogs in the horse park toward riders, horses, and other dogs. There have also been instances of injury to riders caused by dogs. We are monitoring the situation. If we continue to receive complaints due to dog owners not adhering to the terms and conditions that govern dogs in the horse park (i.e. that they are under control at all times and tied up when they are in the car park), we may have to stop allowing riders to bring their dogs with them into the park, though this measure would be a last resort. We understand that most owners follow the terms and conditions, and that their dogs are well-adapted to the park environment and do not cause harm. However, we cannot countenance any harm or distress to riders that can be prevented. So, while riders are currently allowed to bring their dogs with them into the park, please be aware that this might change during the membership year, depending on how well dog-owning riders manage their dogs.

The casual rider fee is currently $27 but will increase to $30 from 1 November 2023.

TO REGISTER FOR CASUAL ENTRY CLICK ON OUR HORSE LOGO BELOW.

Please check weather conditions and register as close to your ride date as possible. Registering on the day is best if you are unsure of the ride date, as we cannot change it once it has been submitted. The cut-off time for same-day rides is 4 pm. We will only refund you if the park is closed on the day of your ride.

There is an option on the form if you need a key. You can also register additional riders.

Payment is by debit or credit card. When payment is accepted, an invoice, a receipt, and instructions to access the horse park are issued. Please keep the receipt on your phone until after your ride, or print it to carry on you. You could be asked to produce it.

All riders must wear a hi-vis vest and riding helmet in the horse park.
Vests are available to borrow when the office is open. Otherwise, you can wear your own.

For further information, phone 09 420 9566 ext-1 during office hours, or email [email protected].

The office is not open on weekends or public holidays.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Restall Road office will be closed tomorrow, Friday, March 15, 2024. You can contact us by email at [email protected].
You must be registered as a casual rider or member to enter the horse park. You must ride with a current receipt or membership ID card or risk being asked to leave the park or trespassed.

The horse park and forest closing time is 8 pm until the end of daylight saving.

Office hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday (closed weekends and public holidays).

Dog owners, please note: Over the years, we have continued to receive complaints regarding the behaviour of dogs in the horse park toward riders, horses, and other dogs. There have also been instances of injury to riders caused by dogs. We are monitoring the situation. If we continue to receive complaints due to dog owners not adhering to the terms and conditions that govern dogs in the horse park (i.e., that they are under control at all times and tied up when they are in the car park), we may have to stop allowing riders to bring their dogs with them into the park, though this measure would be a last resort. We understand that most owners follow the terms and conditions and that their dogs are well-adapted to the park environment and do not cause harm. However, we cannot countenance any distress or injury to riders that can be prevented. So, while riders are currently allowed to bring their dogs into the park, please be aware that this might change during the membership year, depending on how well dog-owning riders manage their dogs. If you cannot control your dog and keep it near you, do not bring it to the horse park.

Membership registration fees:

  • Early Bird Special 12-month: $305 – 1 child added without charge; $115 per additional child – Available from 1 to 30 November.
  • 12-month: $350 – $115 to add a child – Available from 1 December.
  • 9-month: $300 – $100 to add a child – Available from 1 March.
  • 6-month: $215 – $90 to add a child – Available from 1 June.
  • 3-month: $135 – $80 to add a child – Available from 1 September.

The current registration is for 12 months.
All memberships end on the 30th of November each year. Horse park locks change and new memberships begin on the 1st of December.

TO REGISTER FOR MEMBERSHIP CLICK ON OUR HORSE LOGO BELOW
TO REGISTER FOR MEMBERSHIP CLICK ON OUR HORSE LOGO BELOW

Have a recent photograph of yourself and any children you add to your membership ready on your device to upload to the registration page. We need a headshot that clearly shows the face.
Payment is by debit or credit card. You will be emailed an invoice, receipt, and registration confirmation when your payment has gone through.
We will email you when a key has been allocated with instructions for collecting your membership pack.

A condition of membership is wearing a hi-vis vest with the Kake Hōiho logo in the horse park. We have vests at the office for $26.

Keys are collected from the Restall Road office. If you are a returning member, bring in your old key when you collect the new one, or a lost key fee of $100 applies (refunded when the key is returned). All keys must be returned at the end of the membership period.
Keys for 12-month memberships are available from 1 December.

Horse park keys are for the members they have been allocated to. Members cannot give out their keys to other riders.
Members cannot let other riders into Woodhill Forest unless they are current members with an ID card or casual riders with a current receipt.
The horse park is for registered riders only; no accompanying pedestrians, dog walkers, or cyclists.
Keys will not be issued to riders 16 years or under. RideA registered adult rider must supervise riders 16 years or under.
Please read the terms and conditions and contact the office for further information.

Office hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
The office is closed on weekends and public holidays.

Riders not following the terms and conditions could have their memberships suspended or cancelled and/or be asked to leave the horse park

  • All riders must be registered (form completed, payment made) either as members or as casual riders.
  • All riders must wear a riding helmet and a hi-vis vest when riding in the forest.
  • Members must wear a vest with the Kake Hōiho logo on it.
  • All riders must carry on them a current ID card or receipt – you could be asked to leave the forest if you cannot show a current ID card or receipt upon request.
  • Casual riders can borrow a hi-vis vest from the office, or wear their own.
  • Riders are required to have a tag on their saddle or bridle with a contact name and number, in the event that the horse gets lost or separated from the rider.
  • Riderless horses must be led by a mounted rider, with a connecting lead or rope, and be under control at all times.
  • You must notify us immediately of any missing or loose horses or dogs in the horse park. Alert Kake Hōiho staff if they are present on site or call the office (09 420 9566 ext.1) during business hours. Outside of business hours call 021 128 4550 to reach the after-hours duty manager, or leave a message on the office line. Your horse or dog will be located the next day. Riders are not permitted to search the forest outside of the horse park, on foot, or by vehicle, for lost horses/dogs. Do not post messages about lost horses/dogs via social media, except to horse park members on the Kake Hōiho Facebook page. Non-staff / non-members trying to enter the park and search unfamiliar terrain for a lost horse or dog can exacerbate problems (e.g. people getting lost).
  • Vehicle access is only permitted to the car park within the licensed area.
  • All vehicles and horse floats entering the car park must have a current WOF and registration.
  • All vehicles entering the car park must be registered to be there, either through membership or casual entry.
  • A Vehicle Parking Permit sticker must be clearly displayed on all member vehicles.
  • A processed casual entry form must be displayed on the dashboard of all casual rider vehicles.
  • Members cannot let other riders into Woodhill Forest unless the riders are current members with an ID card or casual riders who paid the entry fee and have a current receipt.
  • Horse park keys are for the use of the members they have been allocated to. Members cannot give out their keys to other riders.
  • Registrations run to November 30th annually, all keys must be returned at the end of the membership period.
  • Riders 16 years or under are considered children and must ride with a registered adult rider.
  • Riders 16 years or under at the start of the membership period can be added to the membership of an adult rider who will be responsible for them when they are in the horse park. No keys or memberships are issued to riders 16 or under.
  • No pedestrians, accompanying pedestrians, dog walkers, or cyclists, are permitted on the horse tracks or in the horse park. Horse riders only.
  • Logging trucks and other vehicles that use the forest roads have the right of way – extra care is required when crossing forest roads.
  • You can cross forest roads, but you cannot ride along them.
  • Te Ngahere o Woodhill is an operational production forest and has year-round harvesting and forestry activity. Please adhere to all warning signage. There is no access to areas that have been taped off.
  • Horse riding is only permitted on the approved and marked horse trails.
  • You can ride on the trails within the horse park boundary and on the approved and marked trails south of the southern border.
  • If you ride anywhere else in the forest you are trespassing and could be prosecuted, you could also have your membership revoked.
  • Access to the approved trails that are south of the southern park border( Wightman’s Way) may be restricted when other activities are scheduled in that area of the forest (e.g. motocross events).
  • Access to the horse park and approved trails could be restricted during high fire-risk periods or when winds exceed 65 kph. At times, the park and approved trails will be closed due to events that compromise the safety of riders and their horses. We endeavour to notify riders of any changes to access and any forestry activity that will impact the use of the park – please monitor announcements on www.woodhillforest.co.nz and on our Facebook page: Te Ngahere Kake Hōiho.
  • ALWAYS LOCK GATES BEHIND YOU – unlocked gates leave the forest open to unauthorised access. Throughout the year parts of the forest are grazed. Please ensure that all grazing gates are kept closed to stop cattle wandering on the roads.
  • Members can use their key to come in through the horse gates at Muriwai (lock the gates behind you). Members cannot let other riders into Woodhill Forest unless the riders are current members with an ID card or casual riders who paid the entry fee and have a current receipt.
  • No entry through the horse gates before 6.30 am or after 6 pm in winter and 8 pm in summer.
  • NO RIDING DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS.
  • No access to the dune areas north of the Muriwai Regional Park, beyond Old Telephone Track.
  • Your dog is welcome in the forest with you if it is under full control at all times, able to keep up with you on your horse, and tied up when in the car park. If your dog causes harm or distress to others it will be stopped from entering the horse park. Incidents created by dogs could lead to a ban on all dogs.
  • Smoking is prohibited when riding in the forest.
  • Registration runs until November 30th annually, all keys must be returned at the end of the membership period. Riders will need to re-register to continue membership and access to the horse park.
  • LOST KEYS WILL INCUR A FEE OF $100.
  • New keys will not be issued to returning members until either their old key is returned, or the lost key fee is paid.
  • HORSE GATE LOCKS ARE CHANGED ON THE 1ST OF DECEMBER EACH YEAR.

Horse riding is a high-risk activity. When you ride in Te Ngahere o Woodhill you do so at your own risk, so stay alert to the hazards of the environment. If you identify a hazard, please report it to the Kake Hōiho staff if they are present on site, call the office (09 420 9566 ext.1 – 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday) or email the details to [email protected]. Please provide as much information as possible, including photos, to allow for prompt removal/management of the hazard. These terms and conditions are subject to change and amendment.

THERE ARE WILD ANIMALS IN THE FOREST THAT MAY SPOOK YOUR HORSE.

NO RIDING ON FOREST LAND OUTSIDE THE HORSE PARK BOUNDARY
other than on the approved marked trails that are conditionally accessible south of the horse park.

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY DIAL 111.
If you require an immediate response from our company after hours,
for an urgent matter that cannot wait until the next business day, phone 021 128 4550.
Vehicles left in the forest after hours will either be towed at the owner’s expense or incur the release fee charged by First Security:
0800 347 787

Horse park boundary:

Boundary tracks marked in red below:

Approved trails south of the horse park (access closed when other activities are scheduled in the area):


Muriwai Beach Horse Treks trail (registered riders can use this trail as long as they give way to the trekkers):

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Restall Road office will be closed tomorrow, Friday, March 15, 2024. You can contact us by email at [email protected].
You must be registered as a casual rider or member to enter the horse park. You must ride with a current receipt or membership ID card, or risk being asked to leave the park or trespassed.

The horse park and forest closing time is 8 pm, until the end of daylight saving.

Office hours are from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday (closed on weekends and public holidays).

Dog owners please note: Over the years we have continued to receive complaints regarding the behaviour of dogs in the horse park toward riders, horses, and other dogs. There have also been instances of injury to riders caused by dogs. We are monitoring the situation. If we continue to receive complaints due to dog owners not adhering to the terms and conditions that govern dogs in the horse park (i.e. that they are under control at all times and tied up when they are in the car park) we may have to stop allowing riders to bring their dogs with them into the park, though this measure would be a last resort. We understand that most owners follow the terms and conditions, their dogs are well adapted to the park environment and do not cause harm. However, we cannot countenance any harm or distress to riders that can be prevented. So, while riders are currently allowed to bring their dogs with them into the park, please be aware that this might change during the membership year, depending on how well dog-owning riders manage their dogs. If you cannot control your dog and keep it near you, do not bring it to the horse park.

Horse park boundary tracks in red:

Approved trails south of the horse park (access closed when other activities are scheduled in the area):


Registered riders can use the Muriwai Beach Horse Treks trail, on the condition that they give way to the trekkers:

RIDERS
You can cross forest roads but you cannot ride along them. Please remember that Woodhill Forest is an operational forest. Riding in close proximity to harvesting areas compromises not only the safety of the rider but also that of the operators. If you are found riding in a harvesting area you could be asked to leave the forest and you could have your membership revoked.

NO RIDING ON FOREST LAND OUTSIDE THE HORSE PARK BOUNDARY
other than on the marked trails that are conditionally accessible south of the horse park. If you ride in any other areas of the forest, you are trespassing, and you could be prosecuted and have your membership revoked.

HAZARDS
If you encounter a hazard when you are riding in the park please notify us by email at [email protected], via messenger, or by phoning 09 420 9566 ext. 1 during office hours with a description of the hazard and its location (the name of the track, photo if possible).

AFTER HOURS
If you need to contact us after hours regarding an incident in Woodhill Forest that requires an immediate response from our Company (i.e. a matter of urgency that cannot wait until the next business day), please phone 021 128 4550 to reach on-call staff. In an EMERGENCY dial 111.

COAST ROAD PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENT
Coast Road is permanently closed to motorised vehicle access.
Access by foot, bicycle or horse is permitted during the hours of daylight,
There is no access permitted into Woodhill Forest beyond the formation of Coast Road from the security gate to Old Telephone Track.
Auckland Council Regional Parks manage access to the 5-mile strip (Muriwai Regional Park).
FYI
Woodhill Forest land to the east of Coast Road and north of Old Telephone Track is PRIVATE PROPERTY. Trespassers will be prosecuted.

  • All dogs must be near their owners and under control when they are in the horse park and tied up when in the car park.
  • Please keep dogs out of the water troughs.
  • All riderless horses must be led by a mounted rider, with a connecting lead or rope, and under control at all times.
  • Riders must wear a hi-vis vest at all times when in the forest.
  • Lock the gate behind you as you enter or exit the horse park. If you are waiting for other people to arrive please wait for them at the gate rather than leaving the gate open for them.
  • Please slow down and exercise common courtesy when passing other riders on the trails.
  • You can cross forest roads but you cannot ride along them.
  • No accessing the park/forest, either from Restall Road or Muriwai, before 6.30 am or after 6 pm in winter and 8 pm in summer.
  • No entry during the hours of darkness.
  • You can ride within the horse park boundaries and on the approved and marked trails south of the southern park boundary.
  • If you ride in any other areas of the forest you are trespassing – you could be prosecuted and have your membership revoked.

KIA ORA KAKE HŌIHO RIDERS

Our recent clarification of the ways to access the Horse Park from Muriwai has generated lots of commentary on our Facebook page and other social media forums.

Although this topic has been addressed before via our website, Facebook, newspapers, pamphlets and in public forums, we’ll present some key information again now.

In 2013 Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara (NMWoK, the ‘corporate’ entity representing Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara) purchased the land under Woodhill Forest from the Crown as part of our Treaty of Waitangi settlement. The land then became privately owned. The primary reason for purchasing the land was a commercial investment to fund the hapū’s social, educational, cultural and health programmes.

As private land, there is no obligation on NMWoK to provide access to the public – just as there is no public right to roam on the private land any of us own, our homes.

Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara has for centuries now welcomed new people into our region – even when for periods of time we became marginalised and dispossessed. We understand and value the development of a strong community and will play our part. The various activities we run or licence within Woodhill (e.g. Bike Park, Tree Adventures, off-roading / dirt biking, paintball) give opportunities to the public to enjoy the forest – whilst contributing to the commercial return we expected when we decided to purchase it. However unquestionably the most significant activity in the forest is forestry, which we both licence and now, increasingly, participate in as a joint venture partner. Forestry is a high-risk industry and the forest is a workplace. Other mobile businesses such as firewood collection also use the forest. One-off events are increasingly common. There is even a live-firing weapons range at the northern end of the forest and military exercises at times outside of that area. We have strict obligations on us as the landowner, landlord and now forestry company to keep this workplace, and all within it, safe as required under legislation. The new health and safety legislation that came into force this year (2016) is much tighter than the old and sets out massive penalties for our senior staff and board members should an incident occur and our processes be found lacking. This encourages caution. We know other organisations with similar responsibilities to us are grappling with how to manage their obligations in a sensible way. You may well see a range of responses but no-one wants to be the test case for a prosecution under the new legislation. Our tenant businesses are as conscious as we are of their organisational risks operating in the forest. We need to take their concerns into account in how we manage the forest.

So, for now, having taken legal advice, discussed these matters in depth with our tenants and business partners, and considering our own appetite for risk (especially those in positions of authority for us who would face fines into the millions should we be convicted of a failing under health and safety legislation), our cautious position is that the public may only access Woodhill Forest by permit, or in one of the licenced activity areas. For horse-riders, this means the exclusive horse park area, the boundary of which is described as the ‘perimeter trail’ on your maps. As registered riders, we know we have your details should we need to contact you. We know you have been informed of the dangers in the forest and made aware of where to find information on changing situations in the forest (e.g. areas that are out of bounds because of harvesting activity). We know the area within which you will be found (and importantly where you should not be, therefore where we could then permit other activity). The same can be said of all the other licensed activities we sanction in the forest. This knowledge and ability to exert control and keep things safe are absent when we don’t know who is in the forest, doing what and where. Managing this mosaic of use takes a lot of staff time and attention – and so there is a cost to this. There is also a limit to the complexity of use that we believe we can actually keep track of across all 12 500 hectares of the forest and keep everyone within safe to a reasonable standard. Only we out of all the businesses/groups/individuals that access and use the forest can appreciate and need to know, everything that is happening in it every day. Thus, we reserve the right to only permit what we believe we can safely manage. We will continue to make use of tools like media, signage, pamphlets, our kaitiaki educators, and trespass to discharge our responsibilities and preserve our own rights.

Constructive feedback is welcome but we will continue to take a precautionary approach that allows us to feel we are discharging our duty of care to ourselves and our workers, our tenants and business partners, and our customers. Over time we will make changes to the forest regime as experience, understanding and the mosaic of activities change. Some of these may be less restrictive, some may prove to need to be more restrictive.

We came to help with the working bee in the Five Mile Strip, knowing that we are encouraging people to use that as a way to reach the Horse Park from Muriwai. It was good to confirm on the ground that it can be used by riders. We are also working with Council in other ways to encourage the improvement of this area for use by horse-riders.

Going into the new horse-riding season this spring, we are intending to allow the use by registered horse riders of some trails between the exclusive horse park (southern boundary Wightman Way) and Muriwai. This is reliant on us getting those trails up to spec by then and getting in place a system of which riders can effectively be warned if these need to be closed from time to time (e.g. for harvesting or other events that may be taking place). The intention is that generally only horse-riders will be using those trails, but the area may still be offered up for use for another activity / event from time to time – in which case other access may need to be restricted.

Eke Hōiho will change its name at that time to ‘Kake Hōiho’ (pronounced ‘Kar-keh Hoy-hoar’) to better reflect the Kaipara dialect.

It would be easy (and tempting) to discuss and debate public access in the forest forever, but we are loathed to endlessly revisit this. Now and again we will respond if there is something new to be added or clarified but generally, we hope and trust that people will respect us as a private landowner and business. We know we won’t meet the wants of all the wider public who would like to have unfettered access to the forest, but this posting sets out again why we are acting as we are. We will take note of reasonable suggestions but will generally consider these in our own way and time as we manage the large, complex beast that is Woodhill Forest.

Happy riding.

Public Announcements from Manulife Investment Management Forest Management NZ

WOODHILL FOREST PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENT PARTIAL CLOSURE FROM 11 AUGUST 2023 ONWARDS

SITUATION:
Cyclone Gabrielle has left hazardous trees on the Tasman Road Public Access Easement, making it unsafe for the public to enter.
Auckland Council has opened access to Muriwai beach on 15 June 2023.
For more information, visit https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2023/06/muriwai-outer-cordon-to-be-lifted-6am-friday-16-june/
The Department of Conservation issued the following notice in October 2022:
We are advising that the public access easement at Rimmer Road, Muriwai Beach, Auckland, is currently closed to members of the public due to safety concerns. This means there is currently no public access at Rimmer Road across the land privately owned by Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara to Muriwai Beach.
The Department is currently in discussion with other agencies and interested parties to address the ongoing maintenance and management of the public access easement.
All correspondence is to be emailed to [email protected] 
We thank members of the public for respecting the easement closures during this period.
PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENT STATUS AS AT 11 aUGUST 2023 until further notice:
Easement
Date from
Date to
Status
Tasman Road
10-Feb-23
Until further notice
Closed for the safety of public access easement users (PAE No 3 Section 4.2 & 4.3).
Winter rainfall has damaged the road making it unsafe for open public use. This is under review.
2km of Lagoon Road is blocked by DoC trees, preventing access to the lagoon via the easement.
The landowners are in discussion with the Department of Conservation.
Rimmer Road
3-Oct-22
Until further notice
Closed for the safety of public access easement users (PAE No 3, Section D 4.2 & 4.3).
The weather events have narrowed the road pavement, making it unsafe for open public use.
Coast Road
16-Jun-22
Until further notice
Closed for safety of public access easement users. (PAE No 3, Section D 4.2 & 4.3).
Only walk-in access on Coast Road to access Muriwai Regional Park is permitted.
We ask the public to report all emergencies to FENZ (fire) or NZ Police (111) and all suspicious behaviour to 027 535 5770.

Please remember:

  1. There is no public access into Woodhill Forest beyond the Public Access Easement roads, and
    no access to the east of Coast Road or north of Old Telephone Track.
    Reason: The land is private property.
  2. VEHICLES LOCKED IN MUST CALL SECURITY ON 0275355770, and PAY THE NIGHT GATE OPEN CHARGE.
  3. Auckland Council Regional Parks manage access to the 5-mile strip (Muriwai Regional Park).
Any changes to the Public Access Easement access will be published by Thursday 4 pm during a given week or when conditions change.
Signage will be displayed at the start of the easements.

Public Easements are only open to the public during the hours of daylight (Sunrise to Sunset).
During low fire risk fire periods, the gate may sometimes be left open overnight, but access is at users risk.

Public access easement to the Waionui Inlet (lagoon)

  • This easement is normally open during daylight hours, unless the bombing range is active (as it is currently) or there are forestry operations in the area. If in doubt, please check the notices section on this webpage, the Woodhill Forest information line 09 420 9566 ext. 0, or contact NZDF Whenuapai on 09 417 7000.

Public access easement to Muriwai Beach via Rimmer Road 

  • This easement is normally open during the hours of daylight.
  • If you are locked in please contact forest security on 0275355770.
  • The unloading of unregistered or unwarranted motorbikes, ATV, or other off-road vehicles from the Rimmer Road carpark, to access the beach, is not permitted at any time.
  • Please contact the Auckland Council and apply for a permit if you want to take your vehicle onto the beach.

Please note the Rimmer Road horse gate is locked and horse riding is prohibited.

The Restall Road gate to access the horse park

  • This gate is normally open from 6.30 am and closes at 6 pm during the winter season and 8 pm in summer.

Summer hours begin and end with daylight saving.

No riding on forest land outside of the horse park boundary and the marked trails that are conditionally accessible south of the horse park.
Riders found in any other areas of the forest are trespassing and will be prosecuted.

Vehicles left in the forest after hours will be towed at the owner’s expense or a release fee will be charged by forest security.

Security Contact Details:

  • First Security – 0800 277 697 (Restall Road gate)
  • Black Hawk Security – 027 535 5770 (Rimmer Road gate)

COAST ROAD PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENT

Coast Road is permanently closed to motorised vehicle access.
Access by foot, bicycle or horse is permitted during daylight hours.

There is no access permitted into Woodhill Forest beyond the formation of Coast Road from the Coast Road security gate to Old Telephone Track.
Woodhill Forest land to the east of Coast Road and north of Old Telephone Track is private property, trespassers will be prosecuted.

There is public access from the easement to the Muriwai Regional Park that is west of Coast Road and south of Old Telephone Track.
Auckland Council Regional Parks (Muriwai Rangers) manage access to the 5-mile strip (Muriwai Regional Park).
To contact the Muriwai Rangers phone 09 369 5829.

Any changes to Public Access Easement access will be published on the Notices page of this website and on the Forest Information Line.

FOREST INFORMATION LINE:
09 420 9566 ext. 0

Hancock Forest Management New Zealand:
09 470 1300 or 09 283 9019 after hours

If you witness any suspicious activity in the forest or on the beach, please phone the Crimestoppers line on 0800-555-111 or report the incident on 09-839-0600