Wenderholm Regional Park
37 Schischka Road, Waiwera

Pontoon closed for maintenance

We have closed the pontoon at the Wenderholm boat ramp due to damage to the stone jetty used to access the pontoon. We expect to complete repairs of the whole structure by the end of 2026. Please follow all instructions on signage and from park rangers.

Track closure

The section of Wenderholm Perimeter Path from the top of Maungatauhoro to Kokoru Bay is closed for the winter to protect cultural sites and the track surface. Estimated reopening date is 16 October 2026 but will depend on ground conditions. An alternative route is via the Puhoi Track (blue).

About Wenderholm Regional Park

Wenderholm Regional Park - Aerial view of the park from the Maungatauhoro Headland (left) to the Pūhoi River estuary (right).

The picturesque mouth of the Puhoi River, surrounded by forested headlands, is Wenderholm, the first and perhaps still the most beautiful regional park.

Wenderholm contains one of Auckland's best examples of mainland coastal forest.

To check for live information on water quality and safe swimming conditions at Auckland beaches, visit the Safeswim website.

Book accommodation at Wenderholm Regional Park

Book a picnic site at Wenderholm Regional Park

History

Read the Wenderholm Regional Park - Our history brochure (PDF 8.5MB) to find out about some of the people who once lived at Wenderholm.

You need to know

Animals

Dogs, other animals and pets are prohibited at all Auckland Council regional parks' bookable sites and accommodation. The exception is registered aid dogs. You will need to advise our staff at time of booking if you have a registered aid dog for an exemption.
Dogs are allowed in regional parks only as stated in the dog walking section. All other animals are prohibited at all times, unless you have a permit issued by Auckland Council.

Alcohol

Visible and excessive consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
We may ask you and your group to leave the park and terminate your permit.

Smokefree regional parks

Our regional parks are smoke-free.
Please observe this while staying on or using our regional parks.

Waste

All our regional parks are rubbish free. Take all rubbish and recycling with you when you leave.

Outdoor fires

It is illegal to light a fire outside in all public areas in the Auckland region.

Wenderholm Regional Park

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Dog walking at Wenderholm Regional Park

Our tip

Always follow the rules shown on our website for where you can walk your dog, even if the information on park signs does not match. Call us on 09 301 0101 if you need help.
Read more about dog access rules in Policy on dogs.

Schischka, Couldrey and Wenderholm Beach houses, and campgrounds
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
Includes the grounds and buildings at Schischka House.
Northwest side of Schischka Road
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
On-leash
1 December to 30 June
Prohibited
1 July to 30 November (Lambing season)
Applies to the tracks (including Vin’s Track) and open grass areas on the northwest side of Schischka Road between the entrance gate and authorised vehicles only service road (left side of the road if entering the park).
Southeast side of Schischka Road
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Off-leash
All times - under control
Applies to the grass area on the southeast side of Schischka Road between the entrance gate and authorised vehicles only service road. This is the right side of the road if entering the park that has a row of large London Plane trees and a fenced grass area.
Perimeter Track - Schischka Road to Waiwera River and Kokoru Bay
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
On-leash
All times - under control
Applies to the Perimeter Track from the grass area on the southeast side of Schischka Road to the Waiwera River and Kokoru Bay.

Note: we do not recommend you let your dog swim at Kokoru Bay due to the strong currents.
All other park, beach and foreshore areas
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
Applies to all areas north of the authorised vehicles only service road entrance including:
- grassed areas
- Wenderholm Beach
- Te Akeake Walk
- Puhoi River, wetlands and estuary
- roads, parking areas and boat ramps
- dogs in vehicles.
Also applies to these areas southeast of Schischka Road including:
- Puhoi Track
- Hikoi Track
- Maungatauhoro Headland (excluding grass area and part of the Perimeter Track).

Schischka, Couldrey and Wenderholm Beach houses, and campgrounds
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Northwest side of Schischka Road
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	On-leash 1 December to 30 June
	Prohibited 1 July to 30 November (Lambing season)

Southeast side of Schischka Road
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Off-leash All times - under control

Perimeter Track - Schischka Road to Waiwera River and Kokoru Bay
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	On-leash All times - under control

All other park, beach and foreshore areas
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Dog access rules for other public places

Visit Rules for dogs in public places to check the rules for walking your dog in other public places.

Visit Find a park or beach to check dog-walking rules for other parks and beaches.

Wenderholm Regional Park

Map Wenderholm Regional Park

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Facilities at Wenderholm Regional Park

Pedestrian access

Open 24 hours

Gate access summer

6am to 9pm (Daylight saving)

Gate access winter

6am to 7pm (Non-daylight saving)

Vehicle access

An automatic gate is located at the park entrance. No access after closing hours. It will open at any time for vehicles exiting the park.

Main carpark

290 spaces, also contains a 5 minute loading zone. 400 overflow spaces are available, if main car park is full and ground conditions allow.

Mobility parking

There are two designated car parks in the main car park next to the pathway to the main toilet block.

Bus and coach parking

7 spaces

Boat trailer and car parking

10 spaces, for parking vehicles with boat trailers.

Couldrey House

Couldrey House is an historic homestead with Victorian/Edwardian era furnishings, paintings and family stories. Visit www.couldreyhouse.org.nz for further information and opening hours.

Ranger office

Located next to Couldrey House. Follow signs from the southern end of the main car park. Office is often unattended.

Ranger phone

Located at the main notice board at the back of the main car park.

Water supply

Drinking water is from a town supply and is safe to drink. Drinking fountains are at the bookable sites, along the foreshore and spit and at the toilet blocks.

Barbecues

There are three electric barbecues available for casual use. Two are in the main picnic area and one under the large London Plane trees. The barbecues are free to operate.

Beach

Wenderholm Regional Park has approximately 900 metres of family friendly beach adjacent to a large grassy picnic areas under the shade of pōhutukawa trees.

Jetty and boat ramp

The jetty and boat ramp are located on the Puhoi River estuary side of the park. It is not recommended to launch and retrieve boats for 3 hours each side of low tide.

Maungatauhoro Te Hikoi

90 minutes, 2 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Maungatauhoro Te Hikoi is open.

Perimeter Track

150 minutes, 4 km
Note: The section from the top of Maungatauhoro intersection to Kokoru Bay is closed during winter to protect cultural sites and the track surface.
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.

Te Akeake Walk

30 minutes, 1 km
Suitable for prams. No wheelchair access. Check if Te Akeake Walk is open.

Couldrey House Lookout Walk

15 minutes, 600 m
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Couldrey House Lookout Walk is open.

Wenderholm Regional Park

Map Wenderholm Regional Park

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Activities at Wenderholm Regional Park

Walking

Pram friendly park with access throughout the picnic areas, foreshore and along the entrance road and the road to the campground. Access to the south of the beach is not suitable due to rocks.

Picnics

Wenderholm is a great place for a picnic and it is easy to find a picturesque spot of your own. You can bring your own gas barbeque. Groups of 75 people or more require a discretionary consent, granted on a case by case basis.

Farm animals viewing

Wenderholm is a working farm so you may meet cattle, sheep and lambs during your visit. Feel free to wander through the paddocks containing farm animals. Avoid walking between young stock and their mums. You must follow all safety signs and respect restricted areas. Please leave gates as you find them.

Swimming

Swimming is very popular at Wenderholm with 900 metres of sandy beach considered relatively safe to swim in.

Watch for deep water and strong tidal currents at the mouth of the Puhoi River and along the beach. Stay away from this area and follow the danger signs.

Check www.safeswim.org.nz for information about tides, safety and water quality.

Fishing

Land based fishing enthusiasts can try fishing for kahawai and snapper at the mouth of the Puhoi River.

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) regulations apply.

Kayaking

Enjoy a paddle around the Pūhoi Estuary or along the Pūhoi River but be mindful of getting stranded on the mud flats close to low tide.

The boat ramp area at the north end of the main car park is a great spot to launch into the Pūhoi Estuary.

Wenderholm beach is often calm and is a great place to launch from. You must carry the vessels over the grass picnic area to avoid damaging the grass.

Always wear a life jacket.

Diving

Scuba diving is marginal at best in front of the park but diving around the rocks at the southern end of the coast may bring more success.

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) regulations apply when fishing.

Boating

Boating is a popular activity at Wenderholm. There is an all-weather access boat ramp at the north end of the main car park.

The main beach and the Pūhoi Estuary are good for boating but the estuary is very tidal. We do not recommend launching or retrieving boats from here for the three hours each side of low tide.

You can hand-launch and retrieve boats of up to 3m. You must carry boats over the park land from the car park to avoid damaging the grass.

Always wear a life jacket.

Drones

Check Flying drones or unmanned aerial vehicles for current rules and guidelines for flying in our parks.

Mountain biking

Mountain biking is permitted on open farmland and parkland. However, the area isn’t considered a good mountain biking location due to the lack of mountain bike accessible tracks.

Bird watching

Wenderholm Regional Park is a good spot for finding fantail, grey warbler, kererū, morepork and tūī. Shorebirds such as oyster catchers and the rare dotterel also make their home in this park.

Sightseeing

From the picturesque main beach of Wenderholm to the visible offshore islands, Long Bay Regional Park offers spectacular views.

Weddings

You may need a permit to hold a wedding or civil union ceremony at this regional park. Check Apply for a permit to have an event or wedding in a regional park for more information, or call 09 301 0101 and ask to speak to a Senior Park Ranger.

Volunteering

The nursery at Wenderholm requires people to pick out seedlings, bag up plants and do weeding. Other tasks can include (but are not limited to) tree planting, track maintenance, mulching, pest management and beach clean-ups.

Wenderholm Regional Park

Map Wenderholm Regional Park

PDF download1.05MB

Wenderholm Regional Park37 Schischka Road, Waiwera

About Wenderholm Regional Park

Animals

Alcohol

Smokefree regional parks

Waste

Outdoor fires

Wenderholm Regional Park

Map Wenderholm Regional Park

Wenderholm Regional Park
37 Schischka Road, Waiwera