Southern entrance will re-open
Update – December 2025
The southern entrance (Ghezzie Road) will re-open on Saturday 20 December 2025.
For individuals
Mā te takitahi
Last reviewed:
Visiting Waiuku Forest
Waiuku Forest in the Waikato offers a diverse range of recreational opportunities for the public. Find out about public access and how recreational groups can book events in the forest.
About Waiuku Forest
Waiuku Forest is located on the west coast of Waikato District, south-west of Auckland city. It borders the Tasman Sea and the northern shore of the Waikato River.
The forest is part of the Crown's forestry estate and is managed by Crown Forestry. Commercial operations include the mining of iron sand by New Zealand Steel for the Glenbrook Steel Mill. Other activities include forestry and livestock grazing.
Recreational opportunities in the forest include horse trekking, walking, picnicking, and fishing. Parts of the forest can be booked by approved recreation groups for club events such as orienteering and car rallies.
Hunting and camping overnight are not permitted in Waiuku Forest. During periods of high fire danger, the forest may be closed for public access. Updates will be posted on this web page.
The use of chainsaws within the forest is strictly prohibited due to the extreme risk of accidents at all times, and fire risk during summer.
Opening hours
The forest opens at 7am and closes at 6pm every day.
Restrictions and warnings
It is important that vehicles use formed roads and avoid using tracks created by off-road vehicles.
Pay attention to the new signs which highlight the risk of dying trees along the coastal boundary. The risk of falling trees can climb during periods of high wind or rain.
Location map and directions to the forest
The forest has a network of unsealed roads, walking tracks, and trails. The Waiuku Forest map shows the locked gate entrances, roads and parking, horse and walking trails, and fishing and picnic areas. There is no public access to the areas used for mining and forestry operations.
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Get directions to forest gate entrances
Wilson Road gate entrance
You can access the northern end of the forest at the Wilson Road gate.
Directions from Waiuku
- From Waiuku, drive south along Waiuku–Otaua Road until you reach a T-intersection.
- Turn right onto Otaua Road, which veers left into Hoods Landing Road.
- Continue on Hoods Landing Road then turn right onto Forestry Road.
- Turn left off Forestry Road onto Wilson Road to the forest entrance.
Ghezzie Road gate entrance
The Ghezzie Road gate provides access to the southern end of the forest and the Waikato River.
Directions from Waiuku
- From Waiuku, drive south along Waiuku–Otaua Road until you reach a T-intersection.
- Turn right onto Otaua Road, which veers left into Hoods Landing Road.
- Continue on Hoods Landing Road then turn right onto Forestry Road.
- From Forestry Road continue on to Ghezzie Road until it ends at the entrance to the iron sand mine.
- The forest entrance continues via the gate to the left of the Glenbrook Steel Mill entrance, following the Waikato River.
Directions from Pukekohe
- From Pukekohe, head south-east along Puni Road, this changes into Waiuku Road.
- Turn left at Puni School on to Aka Aka Road.
- Follow Aka Aka Road until you get to a T-intersection.
- Turn left onto Aka Aka Church Road, then turn right across the bridge that leads onto Otaua Road.
- Otaua Road veers left into Hoods Landing Road.
- Continue on Hoods Landing Road then turn right onto Forestry Road.
- From Forestry Road continue on to Ghezzie Road until it ends at the entrance to the iron sand mine.
- The forest entrance continues via the gate to the left of the Glenbrook Steel Mill entrance, following the Waikato River.
Events calendar
Approved recreational groups can make a booking to use parts of the forest for certain activities.
Calendar of events [PDF, 142 KB]
Making a booking and collecting gate keys
To book an event, you must be an approved recreational group.
Approved recreational user groups and authorised key holders [PDF, 135 KB]
If you want to check your recreational group is eligible and approved to use the forest for your event, contact Crown Forestry – email crown.forestry@mpi.govt.nz
Complete a booking form
Once you're an approved user you can book an event. First, check the events calendar to see if the date for your event is available. Bookings can be made up to 12 months in advance.
The conditions of key pick-up, access, and use of the forest are listed on the event application form. Complete the form and return it to Crown Forestry.
Download the event application form [PDF, 155 KB]
Send your completed form to:
- crown.forestry@mpi.govt.nz
- PO Box 1340, Rotorua 3040
Gate key pick-up and returns
Approved recreational groups, who have permission to run an event in Waiuku Forest, can collect a gate key from the Waiuku Information Centre. The key gives them access to areas within the forest for the duration of their event.
The key must be signed out by a person named on the list of authorised key holders.
Location
Waiuku Information Centre
2 Queen Street
Waiuku
Phone: 09 235 6231
Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 3pm (June to October)
Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm (November to May)
History of Waiuku Forest
Waiuku Forest was established by the former Public Works Department in 1932 as a protection forest to prevent the spread of sand onto adjacent farmland. Marram grass was planted to stabilise the sand, then tree lupin to provide nutrients and shelter for the pines, which were first planted in the 1930s.
In 1966, the Crown entered into a 100-year mining licence with New Zealand Steel Limited to extract iron sand. Trees are cleared before mining can start so a large area of the forest is not planted and is unavailable for public access. Once mining is complete over an area, mine tailings are re-spread and the area replanted.
The forest is the subject of a Treaty of Waitangi claim by local iwi Ngāti Te Ata.
Who to contact
To help us look after Waiuku forest we would appreciate your help in reporting any unsafe or suspicious activities you see.
- Call 111 if there's an emergency or if you see or smell smoke.
