Nau Mai, Haere Mai!
“Wild black sand beaches, dunes, pine forests, native bush, streams, lakes, lagoon… “
Welcome to Woodhill Forest
Located approximately 40km north-west of Auckland City is the extensive landscape now known as Woodhill Forest. Of great cultural significance to Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, ownership returned to the tribe in 2013 under the management of its commercial entity Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara Ngahere Ltd.
This 12 500 hectare pine forest is home to a variety of licensed recreational businesses including horse riding, mountain biking, tree climbing, paintball, 4 wheel driving and off-road motorcycling.
Woodhill includes a range of diverse landscapes ideally suited to film production and events. The forest has been home to a number of international feature films as well as many smaller scale shoots, and is ideally located in close proximity to both Auckland City and its International Airport, and the industry’s film services and studios.
The range of locations, including pine forest, native bush, a stream, lakes, a lagoon, open spaces and dune-land running down to a wild black sand beach, are all easily accessed via a gravel road network throughout the forest – making it ideal for film productions.
The forest’s scale and separation from residential living lend to its use as an event location, from sporting activities (such as the World Masters Games) to music concerts (Oro’17), to weddings, to corporate retreats to school visits/camps, to tours hosted by Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara.
The ideal location for both film production & events!
Past film productions in Woodhill Forest
Woodhill Forest offers a diverse and captivating landscape that has served as the backdrop for numerous iconic film and television productions.
From the mystical settings of “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Shannara Chronicles” to the action-packed scenes of “Power Rangers” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II,” our forest’s unique scenery can bring any story to life.
Our commitment to preserving the natural beauty of Woodhill Forest, combined with its versatile terrain, makes it an ideal choice for filmmakers seeking an extraordinary and adaptable location. Join the ranks of successful productions that have utilized our forest to create unforgettable cinematic experiences.
Some of the productions filmed at Woodhill Forest include:
- Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power (TV Series 2022- ongoing)
- The Brokenwood Mysteries (2022)
- Rita Ora – Don’t Think Twice Music Video (2023)
- Sweet Tooth (2021)
- Mystic Series (2021)
- Mulan (2020)
- The Letter for the King Series (2020)
- The Shannara Chronicles (TV Series, 2016-2017)
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II (2016)
- Ash vs Evil Dead (TV Series, 2015-2018) and The Evil Dead (2013)
- Spartacus (TV Series, 2010-2013)
- Legend of the Seeker (TV Series, 2008-2010)
- Yogi Bear (2010)
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: the Chronicles of Narnia (2005)
- Xena Warrior Princess (TV Series, 1995 to 2001)
- Hercules: the Legendary Journeys (1995-1999)
- Power Rangers TV Show
“Only half an hour from Auckland City and yet a world apart… “
General Forest Locations
Conifer Grove
Most production companies filming in Woodhill use this site, which has a unique look. It has a wide variety of trees, from twisting to straight, and dark atmospheric areas. Accessibility to site is good, with 4WD required internally to reach some areas within the wider location. It is a definite must-see for all scouts/location managers.
PARKING
At the entrance to the grove. Extra parking can be along the forest road to one side and there is also more parking close by for catering or setting up main unit.
ACCESS POINTS
1. Restall Road (one gate)
Drive time: 10 min from Forest HQ on Restall Rd.
Road conditions: 5km forest roads, loose gravel, some winding road.
2. Rimmer Road (two gates)
Drive time and road conditions: 20 min from Forest HQ on Restall Rd via a mix of state highway, public road and gravel forest roads.
“Twisting trees, pine needles, horse tracks, rolling hills, shapes and shadows…”
Temu Road
This area also has a unique look. The trees are very twisted, and the branches have pockets where the pine needles collect in the arms of the tree – giving them an old spooky feel and look.
PARKING
There is roadside parking and some off-road parking available.
ACCESS POINTS
1. Restall Road (one gate)
Drive time: 25min from Forest HQ on Restall Rd.
Road conditions: 12km forest roads – winding, loose gravel. Comes to a 4WD track (approx 400m).
2. Rimmer Road (two gates)
Drive time: 25 minutes from Forest HQ on Restall Rd (although you will have to drive fewer forest roads).
Road conditions: Approx. 15km, 5 km of forest roads, loose gravel and some windy downhill sections.
“Unique Twisted branches, giving an old spooky look.”
The Quarry
The old quarry is an area of extrusion of the volcanic rock andesite. Outcrops of andesite are visible around the site, much of which is a broad, flat- based, shallow pit.
PARKING
Limited parking along the side of adjacent forest roads.
ACCESS POINTS
1. Restall Road (one gate)
Drive time: 15 mins.
2. Coast Rd, Muriwai end (two gates)
Drive time: 5 mins
Road conditions: Roads are in good condition except for the final road immediately around the quarry itself, which is rough but drivable in a 4WD
“The old quarry. volcanic rock and outcrops of andesite.”
Waionui Lagoon / Kaipara South Head
Forest land owned by Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara runs down to the lagoon. View out across the harbour (north) to Pōuto. Secluded with no houses or buildings in the background. Tī Tree Island is close by (boat access only).
PARKING
Good vehicle access off Trig Road, with a maintained forest road providing easy access right to the water’s edge.
ACCESS POINTS
Drive time: 45 min from Restall Rd Forest HQ
Ōkiritoto Stream
A stream that rolls out of the hills down into the forest and out to the beach. It is narrow in places but opens into some wider pockets.
PARKING
Road-side with the option also of parking in the nearby Council parking areas. Conditions do apply for Council areas.
ACCESS POINTS
1. Coast Road, Muriwai end (two gates).
Drive time: approx 15 – 20mins from Restall Rd HQ.
Road conditions: Short gravel road, then across the concrete ford which can flood in very heavy rain (especially if coinciding with a high tide), particularly in winter – which means re-routing via Restall Road.
2. Restall Road
Drive time: 15mins
Road conditions: Gravel forest roads.
“Rolling off the hills down into the forest”
Coast Road
Coast Road runs the most western boundary of the southern part of the forest. There are views to Muriwai Beach. Some tracks are wide enough to drive a vehicle through and have been used for forest stunts, horses running through the trees, or tracks disguised as old roads. The area is relatively flat with low rolling hills and shadows in amongst the tall pines.
PARKING
Road-side.
ACCESS POINTS
1. Restall Road (one gate)
Drive time: 7mins.
Road conditions: 4km forest roads.
2. Coast Road – Muriwai end (two gates)
Drive time: 25mins. You would only be advised to take this route if it is deemed to be unsafe to use forest roads beyond Restall Rd, eg. due to harvesting.
“Low rolling hills, equestrian park and horse tracks.”
Building Locations
There are numerous buildings and structures within Woodhill Forest that can be used as locations or backdrops for a wide variety of scenes.
The forest headquarters, a fire depot, a large machinery workshop ‘hangar’, forest huts, pumphouses, sheds and masts, and even created ‘ruins’.
“Gritty industrial backdrops, lookout tower, sheds, huts, hangar, fire depot, pumphouse.”
Woodhill Forest HQ area
The headquarters for Woodhill Forest are used as office space during the day by Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara staff.
Adjacent buildings include a large machinery workshop ‘hangar’ with a gritty, industrial look and a utilitarian fire depot. Located only a few hundred metres off the state highway via the sealed part of Restall Rd, these are all readily accessible at the entrance to the forest.
PARKING
Plentiful.
ROAD CONDITIONS
Sealed, private road.
“Large machinery workshop ‘hangar’ with a gritty, industrial look and a utilitarian fire depot.”
Storage Building
Storage building with old pines behind. Located at the entrance of the northern part of the Forest.
PARKING
Roadside parking on forestry roads.
Additional parking may be available at the immediately adjacent NZDF base by arrangement with the Defence Force.
ACCESS POINT
Easy access off Trig Road
Drive time: 45 minutes from the Restall Rd forestry HQ.
“Views over the countryside, within mature eucalyptus trees.”
Cabin in the woods
A cabin associated with our horse park which can be hired as accommodation, or which could function as a location in its own right. It has power and water, a kitchen, shower and toilet, two double bunks and ample free space around it in the form of paddocks. Facing a large clearing in the forest, it is backed by a copse of mature eucalypts. From behind and to the side of the building are views to the east and south over surrounding countryside.
PARKING
Plentiful.
ACCESS POINT
Via Restall Rd (1 gate)
Drive time: 5 minutes from the Restall Rd forestry HQ.
Road conditions: Requires driving on gravel forestry roads / tracks. 4WD better but not absolutely necessary.
“In a small clearing on the ridge overlooking native bush.”
The Lookout
The lookout tower is about 5m high with a small cabin on top. Located in a clearing on a ridge, it looks out over native bush dropping steeply away below to pine forest to the south and north, and beach / sea in the distance to the west. The view is over forest and countryside to the east.
PARKING
Limited parking immediately adjacent, however extra space could be made available in the nearby 4WD carpark and on forest roads.
ACCESS POINT
1. Restall Road (3 gates)
Drive time: 15-20 min from Restall Rd Forestry HQ
2. Rimmer Road (2 gates)
Drive time: 20 min from Restall Rd Forestry HQ
Road conditions: Gravel roads once within the forest, 150m 4WD track on final approach to lookout.
Lake Locations
There are a number of lakes in Woodhill, from modest to very large in size. Several can be background for shots as the forestland runs down to their margins. Two of the smaller ones however are owned / largely owned by Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara and so filming on the water itself is a possibility.
“A teardrop shaped lake fringed with native bush and pine.”
Lake Kōwhai
Teardrop shaped, approx. 175 x 100m. Fringed by native bush and pine. Secluded.
PARKING
Roadside.
ACCESS POINT
Off Trig Road and onto Tasman Road, then onto Waionui or High North Roads.
Drive time: 45-50mins drive from Restall Rd HQ
Road conditions: Loose gravel, then down a 4WD track until you come out to the lake.
“There are a number of lakes in Woodhill, from modest to very large in size.”
Waitewhau
Teardrop shaped, approx. 100 x 50m. In a natural basin encircled by dense native bush. Secluded.
PARKING
Roadside.
ACCESS POINT
Off Grass Track
Drive time: 20 mins drive from Restall Rd HQ (one gate / barricade)
Road conditions: State highway / sealed public roads most of the way. Final few minutes gravel roads. Can also be accessed using almost entirely internal forest roads, but route via highway and public roads easier.
Other Areas
The variety of scenery in our 12 500 Ha forest is huge: forestry roads and tracks; clearings; undulating hills; trees of all shapes and sizes, exotic and native; dune-land; artificial ponds; views over Muriwai Beach and the Tasman Sea. We also have a range of adventure experiences in our forest, some of which could be locations / scenery themselves:
Woodhill is predominantly sand-based and self-draining, which allows for all year access to most locations.
Taumauri
A former camp site, Taumauri is a large ampitheatre with an extensive flat central area surrounded by grassed / vegetated sand-dune embankments. It was the venue for the Oro17 music festival, for which it hosted several thousand people.
PARKING
Ample on site (on grass). For larger events, adjacent space in the Bike Park carpark or surrounding forestry roads may be able to be arranged.
ACCESS POINT
Via Restall Road (one gate)
Drive time: 5 min from Forest HQ
Road conditions: Sealed private road, to gravel forestry roads, to gravel/grass track. 4WD better but not essential.
Ararimu Block, Riverhead Forest
Only 25 minutes from Auckland City but in very rural surrounds, Riverhead Forest can be a great location for all sorts of uses. Over the years it has hosted various non- forestry activities and events – from off-road motorcycling and driving to horse-riding, mountain biking and paintball.
The 500 hectare “Ararimu Block” owned by Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara offers separation from residential living, scale, a variety of accessible scenery and topography (including both exotic and native vegetation, and waterways), and some useful basic infrastructure such as roading.”
Oneonenui Farm
This 172-hectare property is within a 42-kilometre range (40-minute drive) of Auckland’s CBD and a 48.5-kilometre range (45-minute drive) from Auckland Airport.
Accessed easily by vehicle from Fletcher Road, Waimauku and of great cultural significance to Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Oneonenui Farm blends breathtaking west coast and rural views with stunning natural features, including substantial waterfalls (Ōkiritoto and Toroanui) and associated swimming pools / stream, pockets of significant native bush and well-maintained grazing (sheep and beef) of mixed contour. The farm shares a boundary of just under a kilometre with Woodhill Forest, allowing access between both properties and the adjacent beach.
There is a classic country home, a secondary home, a separate self-contained cottage, and a standalone studio / multi-garage complex, all in close proximity, facilitating use by groups large and small. A working shearing shed and multiple outbuildings, including other large sheds, can be found around the property.
This property lends itself to events and filming opportunities. Please feel free to contact us for more information or to discuss.
Booking Process and Forest Regulation
How to book
Operations Manager/Kaiwhakahaere Rauemi
Ngā Maunga Whakahii O Kaipara Ngahere Ltd
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 0211658705
Deposit | 50% |
Non-filming | $ Up to half of the filming rate |
Filming/Shoot | $ Dependant on the size and length of the production |
Permit | $85.00 + GST (one waived and accompanies the location agreement) |
Guided recce fees | $68 per hr+ GST minimum of 2 hrs (plus permit fee) |
Kaiwhakahaere Kaitiaki fees | $80.00 per hr + GST The forest Custodial Manager is required at the shoot |
Vehicle fees | $6 per light vehicle movement, $22 per heavy vehicle movement (refer to Shared Use Principles and Cost Recovery Protocols for Woodhill Forest). A vehicle movement is a round trip into the property to your location and out of the property. Pilot fees to and from a location apply at $45 per round trip in and out of the property (the initial pilot is included in the permit/location agreement). |
Security fees | $45.00 + GST per hour (public holidays at the time and a half rate) |
The Producer shall ensure that.
a. Current third-party insurance of no less than 5 million dollars, with statutory liability cover of not less than $2 million.
b. All vehicles in the forest have no less than $10 million in current third-party vehicle insurance.
Below is the pricing schedule that we currently use for film locations. Credits refer to people associated to the shoot onsite for that day.
Very Small $580 |
Small $1160 |
Average $2325 |
Big $2900 plus |
---|---|---|---|
15 credits Low impact/footprint and requirements |
20 credits 5 x cars, vans, and a limited number of small trucks |
60 + credits Cast campers, trucks, tech, makeup, art, and camera. |
Double crews/units (main action), shoots/day & night, vehicle, and location movements |