Access

Follow Urban Route 1 until it meets Urban Route 5 (Tukapa Street) near the suburb of Marfell. Continue 1 km until the road bears sharp right into Cowling Road. Ratapihipihi Scenic Reserve is signposted down a gravel road after 1.9 km, where there is a small parking area with picnic tables.

Track

At the entrance to the track is a map of two loops, which virtually form a figure of eight.

It is no surprise the walk is named the ‘Nikau Walk’, as the dense understorey is garnished with their arching fronds. A canopy of tawa and large leaved kohekohe infuses the interior with intense greens.

The even track descends via steps to a footbridge, then branches shortly after. Left is the long loop, right the short loop. Both exit at the bottom of the grassed area near the entrance to the reserve.

Flora

The prevalence of tawa, kohekohe, pukatea, rewarewa, nikau, titoki and puriri creates a luxuriant coastal forest assemblage, which differs from many other forest enclaves in the region.

Polynesian History

The name ‘Ratapihipihi’ is said to be derived from the practice of snaring birds in the area. Waiting hunters in rata trees would make a call which sounded like ‘pihipihi’, by blowing through a leaf held in the mouth. This attracted kaka, which could then be killed by clubbing. Some young Maori boys would occasionally take kaka home as pets and tame them.