Historic Walks

In the 14^th century the peninsula was the first landing place in the Waitemata Harbour of the Tainui Canoe. It was named Whakakai-whara, meaning to 'eat the bracts of the kiekie vine'.

The Duder family have farmed in this area since 1866. The original homestead, Rozel, is named after a house on the Channel Island of Guernsey, where Mrs Duder had lived as a child.  Umupuia is the heartland of Ngai Tai, the tangata whenua (indigenous people) of this part of the Pohutukawa Coast.

Along the coast many of the once plentiful Ngai Tai pa and settlement sites are still visible. On the eastern headland of the bay (now Duder Regional Park) is the traditionally important pa, "Wharekaiwhara".

To explore the park there are three well signposted walks to choose from. The Farm Loop is a 4.3km, one hour and 50 minute return trip suitable not only for walkers, but also for mountain bikers and horse riders (by permit). Rolling farmland, stunning views of the Gulf Islands and access to sandy bays are some of the features of this walk.

For those interested in the historic features of the park the Whakakaiwhara Pa Walk branches off from the Farm Loop and provides an opportunity to view an unusual triangular Maori pa site and remains of houses and kumara pits. The walk takes you right out to the end of the peninsula and is an additional hour return to the Farm Loop. If you time your trip to coincide with the low tide, you can enjoy the Coastal Walk which takes you down to a small velvety sand beach framed with Pohutukawa. Following the coast around you’ll end up at Umupuia Beach. This walk is only accessible at low tide so be sure to check the tide times before your trip or refer to the chart on the notice board in the car park area.