Access

Kaitoke Regional Park has a network of tracks to suit all abilities. It is well furnished with toilets, picnic areas and a campground. The main entrance is off SH2 at Waterworks Road, 12 km north of Upper Hutt. Pakuratahi Forks is a further 2 km, from where most tracks start.

The start of the track is signposted from Pakuratahi Forks parking area.

Track

Cross the swingbridge and follow the even metalled track through the lush podocarp/broadleaf forest.

Flora

In pre-European times the lower altitude slopes would have been smothered with a broadleaf forest on the alluvial terraces with totara, kahikatea, rimu and northern rata predominating. This forest remnant resembles closely the former glory of the lush forest that once was.

Polynesian History

In pre-European times Ngati Tara, a tribe descended from Whatonga, arrived in the Hutt Valley and cultivated small patches on the banks of the Hutt River. Later, Ngati Rangi and Ngati Ira settled the area. In 1819, a war party led by Te Raparaha overcame Ngati Ira in a battle at Pa Whakataka.
Kaitoke roughly translates as kai (food) and toke (worms). Apparently Maori journeying to the Wairarapa would camp in the area before crossing the Rimutakas. All they could find to eat were worms.