Arataki Visitor Centre

25/06/2026

Toi ki te Pāka comes to Arataki Visitor Centre this Puanga/Matariki 💫🎨🌳
Nau mai, haere mai!

Te Kawerau ā Maki are proud to bring you Toi ki te Pāka – Art in the Park for the 4th year!

Toi ki te Pāka’, is a series of Art exhibitions created by some amazing local schools in Hikurangi (West Auckland) in partnership with Auckland Council Parks, Waitākere Ranges Local Board & Upper Harbour Local Board ✨️

These beautiful artworks showcase what “Matariki means to me” and will be proudly exhibited around the rohe for Puanga/Matariki ✨️

This year the theme is about bring awareness to the Taonga that is KAURI 🌳& our collective responsibility to protect & enhance the Ngahere 💚

At Arataki Visitor Centre enjoy mahi toi from our participating schools:
🎨Titirangi Primary
🎨Glen Eden Intermediate

The 5 locations of the mahi toi exhibtions will be:
💚Arataki Visitor Centre - Scenic Drive🌿
💚Parrs Park, Oratia 🌿
💚Rānui Domain - 508 Swanson Road, Rānui 🌿
💚Clover Drive, Henderson 🌿
💚Te Onekiritea - Bomb Point, Onekiritea, Hobsonville 🌿

Te Kawerau ā Maki invite kura, whānau and community to celebrate Puanga/Matariki in te taiao while enjoying the amazing Toi ki te Pāka creations.

You will have the opportunity to vote for a ‘people’s choice award’ at each exhibition 🎖

They will be popping up in these locations over the next couple of days thanks to the team at Benefitz!

25/06/2026

Making Wishing Stars for Matariki ✨
At the "Seeking Will, Rapua a Will book launch, I made these star decorations. All the kids loved them and took them home! So Laura (Arataki superstar) and I thought—let's share how to make them for everyone during Matariki season. Using recycled supermarket bags (the same ones that held kai for our whānau) we're creating art that holds our wishes.

In this season of reflection, it got me pondering the cycles of how we live.
This RECYCLE came to me:
Remember → Reconnect → Reflect → Recreate → Reimagine → Release → Remember, and so on and so on.

How we are in cycle with our world. The process of composting, growth, rest, and return. The seasons show us this every day. Nature shows us this every day.
To realise and accept that we are here for this beautiful moment, yet ripple out through all our ancestors from the past and yet to come in the future.

We are part of something much larger. Much longer. As beautiful as the stars!
This is what Matariki got me remembering and reimagining. :-)

Come make a Hiwa-i-te-rangi whetu with us and discover what wishes you want to carry into Matariki and beyond. This Saturday at Arataki Visitor Centre, thanks we love being part of your community whānau!

22/06/2026

🚧 Heads Up – Track Access Alert: Mercer Bay Loop Track 🚧

Auckland Council will be carrying out maintenance on the access road to the Mercer Bay Loop Track car park on:
📅 Friday 26 June
📅 Monday 29 June
📅 Tuesday 30 June
⏰ 7:00am – 5:00pm

During these times, access from Log Race Road to the Mercer Bay Loop Track will be closed.

🥾 Still keen for a walk? An alternative route is available. Park at the Karekare car park and follow Comans Track and Ahu Ahu Track, which connect to the Mercer Bay Loop Track.

Thank you for your patience while we complete these important maintenance works to improve access and safety in the area.
For your safety, please follow all signage and instructions on site

🚧 Heads Up – Track Access Alert: Mercer Bay Loop Track 🚧

Auckland Council will be carrying out maintenance on the access road to the Mercer Bay Loop Track car park on:

📅 Friday 26 June
📅 Monday 29 June
📅 Tuesday 30 June
⏰ 7:00am – 5:00pm

During these times, access from Log Race Road to the Mercer Bay Loop Track will be closed.

🥾 Still keen for a walk? An alternative route is available. Park at the Karekare car park and follow Comans Track and Ahu Ahu Track, which connect to the Mercer Bay Loop Track.

Thank you for your patience while we complete these important maintenance works to improve access and safety in the area.

For your safety, please follow all signage and instructions on site.

19/06/2026

Come and meet the celebs of the Arataki Centre! While you’re here check out the Tiny Titans of Aotearoa exhibition by local herpetologist Dave Laux 🦎

15/06/2026

The first meeting of the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Forum brought together Te Kawerau ā Maki, Auckland Council, the Department of Conservation and community to discuss the future care of the Waitākere Ranges.

12/06/2026

Tupuārangi – Patterns of the Sky ✨️

We're brining you a Kōwhaiwhai Painting workshop for Adults to celebrate Matariki

Exploring the stories of Ranginui, forests, birds, kai from above and imagination through kōwhaiwhai patterns with the team from Whare Hau Ako 💚

Registrations essential via Humanitix, find the link in our bio 👉

Part of Mānawa Maiea a Matariki i 2026!

04/06/2026

✨️Matariki Whānau Day at Arataki Visitor Centre ✨️
Saturday 27 June, 10am - 2pm
300 Scenic Drive, Nihotupu

Bring the whole family to Arataki Visitor Centre for a day of fun and learning to celebrate the Matariki season!

Enjoy activities related to the nine whetū (stars) of matariki, join in on whakaari (storytelling) with our friends from Titirangi library, enjoy some kai with Friends of Arataki, and more! 🌌

Free sausage sizzle with the Friends of Arataki Society!
Free face painting!
Kapa Haka performance from Oratia District School!
Activities with The ReCreators , The Light Library and Titirangi Community Library and more!

Please remember carparking is limited so we recommend carpooling where possible! We can't wait to see you there 💚

Proudly part of Mānawa Maiea a Matariki 2026

01/06/2026

The newly established Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Forum will hold its first public meeting on Monday 8 June, 3.30pm at Arataki Visitor Centre! ✨✨
Find out more in the story ⬇️

The newly established Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Forum will hold its first public meeting on Monday 8 June 2026, marking the beginning of a new phase for the long-term care and protection of Te Wao Nui ā Tiriwa - the Waitākere Ranges.