Muriwai Regional Park is a

regional park A regional park is an area of land preserved on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, recreational use or other reason, and under the administration of a form of local government. Definition A regional park can be a special park distri ...

located in

Muriwai Muriwai, also called Muriwai Beach, is a coastal community on the west coast of the Auckland Region in the North Island of New Zealand. The black-sand surf beach and surrounding area is a popular recreational area for Aucklanders. The Muriwai ...

on the west coast of the

Auckland Region Auckland () is one of the sixteen regions of New Zealand, which takes its name from the eponymous urban area. The region encompasses the Auckland Metropolitan Area, smaller towns, rural areas, and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Containing ...

of New Zealand's

North Island The North Island, also officially named Te Ika-a-Māui, is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the larger but much less populous South Island by the Cook Strait. The island's area is , making it the world's 14th-largest ...

. It is situated in Rodney north-west of

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The List of New Zealand urban areas by population, most populous urban area in the country and the List of cities in Oceania by po ...

and is owned and operated by

Auckland Council Auckland Council ( mi, Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau) is the local government council for the Auckland Region in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority that has the responsibilities, duties and powers of a regional council and so is ...

Geography

Maukatia (Maori Bay) to the south is separated from Muriwai Beach by Otakamiro Point, with its steep cliffs and rocky nesting areas that are home to the region's only colony of Australasian gannets. The site of the gannetry has been identified as an

Important Bird Area An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) is an area identified using an internationally agreed set of criteria as being globally important for the conservation of bird populations. IBA was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife Int ...

BirdLife International BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental organizations that strives to conserve birds and their habitats. BirdLife International's priorities include preventing extinction of bird species, identifying and safeguarding ...

History

The park's origins begin in 1906, when a public domain was established at Motutara, the gannet colony. After a series of enlargements, the area became the Muriwai Regional Park in 1969.

Recreation

The Regional Park includes a golf course along Coast Road, and the area north of Okiritoto Stream is known as the "Five Mile Strip" or "Five Mile Block" as this is its approximate length. A horse park (parking area for horse floats and trucks to unload) is located just to the south of Okiritoto Stream. 4WD access on to the beach is also provided at this point. The Five Mile Block has recreational trails for both walking and horse-riding. Cyclists can use Coast Road as far as the top of the Regional Park, but are not permitted into the adjoining Woodhill Forest by the forest managers. Dog walkers also frequent the area, as it provides a wide range of off-leash walking opportunities.

Gallery

References

{{Protected areas of New Zealand Rodney Local Board Area Parks in the Auckland Region Regional parks of New Zealand Tourist attractions in the Auckland Region Important Bird Areas of New Zealand Seabird colonies