About the Park
Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park, formally known as Te Rae o Pāpāmoa ("the forehead of the woman who is the hills"), was established in 2003 - the first regional park outside the Auckland and Wellington regions. It is managed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council (Toi Moana) in partnership with Te Uepū, a shared governance body representing mana whenua: Waitaha, Ngā Pōtiki, Ngāti Pūkenga and Ngāti Hē.
Why it's significant
The park contains over 1,630 recorded individual archaeological features - one of the highest concentrations in New Zealand in such a small area. These include tuku (terraces), papatahi (platforms), pits, middens and maioro (defensive earthworks). At least seven pā sites have been identified within the park, with human occupation dating back to approximately 1350 CE. The hills were strategically critical to local hapū, controlling south-eastern access to Tauranga Moana and the coastal strip toward Maketu. Over 50,000 native plants have been planted across the hills as part of ongoing restoration work.
️ Walking Tracks
All tracks start from the carparks on Poplar Lane, off State Highway 2 between Pāpāmoa and Te Puke. The new visitor experience carpark (approximately 400m north of the original) opened in November 2023 and includes toilets, interpretation panels and a 3D park map. A new connection track between the two carparks began construction on 15 June 2026 (expected to take up to two months); both carparks remain open during the works. Good walking shoes and a reasonable level of fitness are recommended for all tracks. No drinking water is available in the park.
The main and most well-known track from the original Poplar Lane carpark to the trig station at the 224-metre summit. Passes through pine forest, native bush and open grassland, with views of terracing on several pā sites. Rises relatively steeply. The summit offers sweeping views from the Coromandel Peninsula to East Cape on a clear day. Reopened 3 April 2026 via an alternative route from the main Poplar Lane carpark while landslip repairs continue.
From the far Poplar Lane carpark to the trig station/summit. One of the three routes reopened on 3 April 2026 following the January landslips. Check the council's park page for the current track map before setting out.
From the Summerhill Recreation Farm carpark on Reid Road to the trig station/summit. One of three routes to the summit open since the park's partial reopening on 3 April 2026. Opens up different perspectives of the park and the surrounding farmland.
A longer circuit connecting to the summit via the service road and farmland, passing the Pāpāmoa Pā site and Patakatahi Pā. Uses the park's connecting tracks, which remain closed after the January 2026 landslips, so the full circuit is not currently possible.
Shorter connecting tracks through native plantings and farmland sections of the park. Good for exploring different viewpoints and the extensive native planting areas when open. All four remain closed due to ongoing damage and instability from the January 2026 landslips.
Park Rules
Cultural & Archaeological Significance
Te Rae o Pāpāmoa - the forehead
The traditional Māori name for these hills, Te Rae o Pāpāmoa, translates as "the forehead of the woman who is the hills." The hills were among the most strategically important in the Bay of Plenty, providing commanding views of the coastal strip, Tauranga Moana and the routes to Maketu, Mauao and further afield. The Arawa waka arrived in the Bay of Plenty around 1350 CE, and Māori settlement of the Pāpāmoa Hills area is believed to date from shortly after. The park sits within the rohe of multiple iwi - Waitaha, Ngā Pōtiki, Ngāti Pūkenga and Ngāti Hē - all of whom have historical connections to the land and are represented on the Te Uepū governance body.
What to look for on the tracks
Interpretation panels throughout the park explain the significance of the archaeological features visible from the tracks. Look for the terraced hillsides (tuku) - flat platforms cut into the slopes - which are the most visible evidence of occupation. Defensive ditches (maioro) and midden deposits are also present. The interpretation panels installed in the 2023 upgrade include a 3D map of the park showing the location of key features and a detailed explanation of the cultural landscape.