Supporting and encouraging native planting. Learn more
Making Aucklanders aware of the many activities happening in the Hūnua Ranges. Learn more
Some of the best offroad cycling in Auckland. Learn more
We will be working alongside Auckland Council and hope to have the involvement of anyone and everyone who uses the Hūnua Ranges – there are a lot of users, from forestry and Watercare to recreation groups and individuals to hunters and DOC. Any users who would like to be part of the Friends, let us know!
Great to see the opening of the new reception/office area at the Kokako Lodge (near the Hūnua Falls), a much-needed improvement. The Lodge is a wonderful 85 bed facility right next to all the activities by the Falls. See www.kokakolodge.org.nz
Anyone looking for a research project?
How about the relationship between native bees and the forest and the impact of Varroa mite?
If you are going to the Ranges, please be careful and follow instructions posted in the area about Kauri Dieback disease. This is a deadly disease, killing kauri trees throughout the Auckland region. The Hūnua Ranges are currently a healthy kauri area - help us keep it this way.
Park information: https://regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/hunuaranges
The Auckland Mountain Bike Club has had a close association with the Hunua Ranges since access was permitted back in the 1990's.
From coordinating over 10 trail working bees per year, to trail design, communications to riders and the running of exciting events, this has been a wonderful example of the community playing a part in the careful development of the Ranges' activities.
2013 club President Hayden 'Hunuaman' Russell is - like those before him - strongly dedicated to the Hunua Ranges. "Much of my first offroad riding was in the Hunua Ranges," Russell remembers, "and the fact that the trails weave through awesome regenerating native bush means that the work we do on them lives on well past trails created in commercial pine plantation land."
Hayden can be found in the Ranges most weekends, always keeping an eye on conditions and scoping out possible network extension opportunities: "At the moment there is only enough single track for a average rider to tick off in one visit. So they tend to revisit only 2-3 times a year. Given more riding options, this area has the potential to be world renowned - not just for the riding but for the fine model of community involvement to provide locals and visitor alike with a fantastic healthy recreational pursuit whilst being educated to the wonders of this region."
You can bet that with friends like Hayden, the Hunua Ranges has a great future!
The Hunua Ranges has hosted many an MTB event, including various Nationals (including the famous 2002 Freaky Styley Nationals) bringing in the best the world can offer. And with the tight technical single track and fast downhill trails, riders are never disappointed.
You can find out more about the club and other Auckland riding opportunities at their website: http://www.aucklandmtb.co.nz/
Read the remarkable story of the recovery of a very special, at-risk native bird, the North Island kōkako.
Author Lenny van Heugten, an enthusiastic environmentalist working in the South Auckland and North Waikato regions, brings to life this remarkable story.
If you would like to be informed of activities, volunteer opportunities and general news about the Hunua Ranges, then subscribe to our eNewsletter...
Departing Ranger for Hunua Rangers Scott Kusabs joins us to reflect on his 13+ years at the job...
Higher risk tracks in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park are closed from 1 May 2018.
A number of higher risk tracks in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park are closed. A Controlled Area Notice (CAN)* is in place across the forested areas of the Hunua Ranges as well as the Waharau Regional Park.
SCRUB | SPRAY | STAY on the track
