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New Zealand Regional Parks

Regional parks are free, council-run green spaces, usually within an hour or two of a city. Many have beaches, farmland, bush tracks and campgrounds. Browse all 39 parks across 5 regions, filter by region or see them on a map.

Only Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington and Canterbury have regional park networks. For national parks and Great Walks, see the Department of Conservation. Planning a long weekend? Check the public holiday dates.

Brown-and-white cows grazing in a paddock at Ambury Farm in MāngereAuckland

Te Ara i Tautahi / Ambury Regional Park

Māngere Bridge, South Auckland

A working city farm on the Manukau Harbour with farm animals, milking and lamb feeding in season, and more than 86 bird species.

CampingDogs in some areas
Rolling farmland and native trees above the Oruawharo River at Ātiu Creek Regional ParkAuckland

Ātiu Creek Regional Park

Tapora, Kaipara Harbour

A gifted farm park on a quiet Kaipara Harbour peninsula, with big native trees, extensive horse trails and a campground.

CampingNo dogs
A curved path and pond surrounded by lawns and trees at Auckland Botanic GardensAuckland

Auckland Botanic Gardens

Manurewa, South Auckland

64 hectares of gardens with over 9,000 plant species, sculpture paths and the Potter Children's Garden.

Dogs on lead
Brooks Homestead among trees and Norfolk pines, with the harbour beyond, at Āwhitu Regional ParkAuckland

Āwhitu Regional Park

Āwhitu Peninsula, Manukau Harbour

Sheltered sandy beaches, wetlands and farmland on the Manukau Harbour, with two campgrounds and free BBQs.

CampingDogs in some areas
A large spreading tree framing open pasture at Duder Regional ParkAuckland

Duder Regional Park

Whakakaiwhara Peninsula, Clevedon

A pōhutukawa-fringed coastal farm peninsula with 360-degree Hauraki Gulf views, a pā site walk and sandy bays.

CampingNo dogs
A banded rail walking through grass at Glenfern Sanctuary on Aotea Great Barrier IslandAuckland

Glenfern Sanctuary

Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier Island

A predator-controlled forest sanctuary on Aotea / Great Barrier Island with a kauri canopy platform and Sunset Rock views.

No dogs
Mangatangi Reservoir surrounded by forested hills in the Hunua RangesAuckland

Hūnua Ranges Regional Park

Hūnua, south-east Auckland

Auckland's largest native forest, with Hūnua Falls, four dams, long tramps, mountain bike trails and five campgrounds.

CampingDogs in some areas
View south over the sweep of Long Bay beach and the Hauraki GulfAuckland

Te Oneroa o Kahu / Long Bay Regional Park

Long Bay, North Shore

A busy 1 km patrolled beach beside the Long Bay–Okura Marine Reserve, with a coastal walk to quieter northern bays.

Dogs in some areas
Otuawaea Bay in the Mahurangi Harbour, with moored boats and bush-covered headlandsAuckland

Mahurangi Regional Park

Mahurangi Harbour, near Warkworth

Sheltered bays, historic Scott Homestead and walk-in or boat-in campgrounds around the Mahurangi Harbour.

CampingDogs in some areas
Aerial view of Motukorea/Browns Island, a grassy volcanic island ringed by shallow waterAuckland

Motukorea / Browns Island

Inner Hauraki Gulf (boat access only)

A small volcanic island and Auckland's first island regional park, reachable only by boat or kayak.

No dogs
Grassy sand dunes above Muriwai Beach on Auckland's west coastAuckland

Muriwai Regional Park

Muriwai, west Auckland

A wild black-sand surf beach and one of New Zealand's few mainland gannet colonies.

Dogs in some areas
Sheep grazing on a grassy hilltop with a view across Auckland at Mutukāroa/Hamlins HillAuckland

Mutukāroa / Hamlins Hill Regional Park

Mount Wellington, central Auckland

A central-city farm park and rare pre-European Māori settlement site with open views and on-lead dog walking.

Dogs on lead
A gravel track lined with bush at Ōrere Point Regional ParkAuckland

Ōrere Point Regional Park

Ōrere Point, Firth of Thames

Auckland's smallest regional park, with beach access and off-leash dog walking at all times.

Dog friendly
Green farmland sloping down to the coast at Pākiri Regional Park, seen from the southAuckland

Pākiri Regional Park

Pākiri, north of Leigh

A small walk-in park with uninterrupted views of Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island. No facilities.

No dogs
The historic Scandrett homestead with its picket fence and garden at Scandrett Regional ParkAuckland

Scandrett Regional Park

Mahurangi Peninsula, near Snells Beach

A calm tidal beach, historic farm buildings, Mullet Point pā walk and three bookable baches on Kawau Bay.

No dogs
Te Haruhi Bay's curved beach and headland at Shakespear Regional Park, framed by treesAuckland

Te Hāruhi / Shakespear Regional Park

Whangaparāoa Peninsula

Auckland's most visited open sanctuary, with predator-free birdlife, Te Haruhi Bay beach and campground.

CampingDogs in some areas
A grassy foreshore shaded by coastal trees beside the beach at Tāpapakanga Regional ParkAuckland

Tāpapakanga Regional Park

Ōrere Point, Firth of Thames

A coastal farm park with a family beach, three campgrounds, historic Ashby Homestead and an off-leash dog beach.

CampingDogs in some areas
A white-sand beach and turquoise water at Tāwharanui Regional ParkAuckland

Tāwharanui Regional Park

Tāwharanui Peninsula, near Matakana

White-sand beaches, a marine reserve and a predator-free open sanctuary where kiwi live wild.

CampingNo dogs
Horse riders and surfers on the long beach at Te ĀraiAuckland

Te Ārai Regional Park

Te Ārai, south of Mangawhai

Long surf beaches, dune lakes, Te Ārai Point and a retired quarry swimming hole.

CampingDogs in some areas
Forest including taraire trees beside still water at Te Muri Regional ParkAuckland

Te Muri Regional Park

Between Mahurangi West and Wenderholm

A walk-in or boat-in beach with back-country camping, reached across a tidal estuary.

CampingNo dogs
A lone tree on grassy farmland at Te Rau Pūriri Regional ParkAuckland

Te Rau Pūriri Regional Park

South Head, Kaipara Harbour

A 340-hectare farm park with one of the Kaipara Harbour's best beaches and access to Lake Rototoa.

Dogs in some areas
A wooden bridge leading into dense native bush in the Waitākere Ranges Regional ParkAuckland

Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

West Auckland

16,000 hectares of rainforest and wild west coast beaches, including Piha, Karekare, Bethells and Cascade Kauri.

CampingDogs in some areas
Pakihi Island and a curving bay seen from Waitawa Regional ParkAuckland

Waitawa Regional Park

Kawakawa Bay, south-east Auckland

A recreation-focused park with mountain bike trails, disc golf, wharf fishing and a sea kayak campground.

CampingDogs in some areas
Lawns and trees beneath bush-covered cliffs at Wenderholm Regional ParkAuckland

Maungatauhoro / Wenderholm Regional Park

Pūhoi River mouth, Waiwera

Auckland's first regional park: a pōhutukawa-shaded beach, coastal forest walks and historic Couldrey House.

CampingDogs in some areas
A boardwalk through coastal grasses to the shore at Whakanewha Regional Park on Waiheke IslandAuckland

Whakanewha Regional Park

Rocky Bay, Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island's regional park, with a long sheltered beach, foreshore campground and remarkable birdlife.

CampingDogs in some areas
Aerial view of the Onekawa Te Mawhai headland and beach in the eastern Bay of PlentyBay of Plenty

Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park

Ōhiwa, near Ōpōtiki

A headland of six historic pā between Ōhiwa Harbour and Bryans Beach, with a forest climb and beach loop.

Dogs on lead
A boardwalk winding across the Pekapeka wetland, with hills behindHawke's Bay

Pekapeka Regional Park

South of Hastings on SH2

One of Hawke's Bay's last large wetlands, with boardwalks, a lookout and rare birds such as the bittern.

No dogs
Bush-covered hills reflected in the still water of Lake TūtiraHawke's Bay

Tūtira Regional Park

Tūtira, north of Napier

Lakeside camping and walks beside Lakes Tūtira and Waikopirō, 41 km north of Napier.

CampingNo dogs
Cape Kidnappers seen across the water from near Waitangi Regional ParkHawke's Bay

Waitangi Regional Park

Awatoto to Haumoana coast

A 5 km coastal park with the Ātea a Rangi star compass, estuary birdlife and river water sports.

Check dog rules
The Akatarawa River West flowing through a bush-clad gorge in Akatarawa ForestWellington

Akatarawa Forest

Between Upper Hutt and Kāpiti

15,000 hectares of rugged forest, home of the Karapoti Classic mountain bike race, with 4WD and trail bike access.

Dog friendly
Water cascading over the old Korokoro Dam among ferns and bush in Belmont Regional ParkWellington

Belmont Regional Park

Between Porirua and Lower Hutt

Wellington's largest regional park, with Korokoro Dam, WWII bunkers, a mountain bike area and Dry Creek camping.

CampingDogs in some areas
The still blue water of Lake Kohangatera, ringed by hills, in East Harbour Regional ParkWellington

East Harbour Regional Park

Eastbourne to Baring Head

Three areas in one: Eastbourne's bush, the Pencarrow lighthouses and lakes, and Baring Head's lighthouse complex.

Dogs in some areas
A gravel path through grassland towards native bush at Kaitoke Regional ParkWellington

Kaitoke Regional Park

Kaitoke, north of Upper Hutt

Rainforest, river swimming holes, the Rivendell filming site and a big riverside campground with campfires.

CampingDog friendly
The Pakuratahi truss bridge on the Remutaka Rail Trail, framed by bush in Pakuratahi ForestWellington

Pākuratahi Forest

Remutaka Range, north of Upper Hutt

Home of the Remutaka Rail Trail's historic tunnels and bridges, plus Tunnel Gully and Mt Climie.

CampingDogs in some areas
A restored wetland pond surrounded by native bush at Queen Elizabeth Park, north of PaekākārikiWellington

Queen Elizabeth Park

Paekākāriki to Raumati South, Kāpiti Coast

The Kāpiti Coast's last natural dunes, with a sealed cycle trail, beach, trams and WWII US Marines history.

Dog friendly
A swimming hole on the Wainuiomata River, edged by native bushWellington

Wainuiomata Regional Park

Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt

The gateway to pristine lowland forest, with the 1884 Lower Dam, a water history museum and river swimming.

Dogs on lead
The braided Ashley River / Rakahuri winding through tussock hills upstream in Puketeraki ForestCanterbury

Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park

Rangiora, North Canterbury

A riverside park along the Ashley River / Rakahuri with the Rakahuri Trail to Waikuku Beach.

Dogs on lead
The stone Church of the Good Shepherd beside Lake Takapō/Tekapo, with mountains beyondCanterbury

Takapō / Lake Tekapo Regional Park

Lake Tekapo, Mackenzie Basin

Lakeside pine forest with 24 km of trails, a pump track, disc golf, a fenced dog park and swimming beaches.

Dogs on lead
Aerial view of the braided Waimakariri River crossing the Canterbury Plains near ChristchurchCanterbury

Waimakariri River Regional Park

Northern Christchurch

15,000 hectares along the Waimakariri River, including McLeans Forest mountain biking and Kaiapoi Island.

Check dog rules

Map of New Zealand's regional parks

35 of the 39 parks above, pinned at the centre of each park's area. Pins aren't entrances or car parks, so open a park's guide for access details.

  • North Island
  • South Island

Not on the map yet, because we couldn't verify a location: Akatarawa Forest, Pākuratahi Forest, Wainuiomata Regional Park, Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park.

Location data: Auckland Council Park Extents (CC BY 4.0); OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0).