Hawke's Bay – Te Mata Park Trust

Te Mata

The Sleeping Giant
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Kia ora e hoa

Welcome to Te Mata Park

Nau mai, haere mai – Welcome to one of the most loved and visited places in Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawke’s Bay); we invite you to experience all the beauty that our park has to offer. Admire the incredible 360° views of Hawke’s Bay and the Heretaunga Plains from the summit, walk through the majestic hundred-year-old giant redwoods, and discover the deep cultural relevance and compelling history of this special place.

Visit

Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei.

Seek the treasure you value most dearly; if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.

UNSPOILED BEAUTY

Land worth protecting

2 million years ago, the sea floor tilted and shifted to create what is now the landform of Te Mata Peak. Centuries later, it was inhabited by Māori tribes, then claimed by European settlers, and eventually gifted to the community in 1927 by the Chambers family for all people to enjoy. As a community, we are called to protect our maunga (mountain), preserve its wild beauty, and ensure it is maintained as a sacred place for generations to come. For those interested in becoming kaitiaki (guardians) of Te Mata, there are many ways to engage with our current conservation projects.

Get Involved

LEGENDS & HISTORY

Discover the origins of The Giant

Te Mata is a tāonga tuku ihō (heavenly gift) etched from the earth by the gods and accorded many names such as Te Matā, Te Mata o Rongokako, Te Karanemanema o te Mata o Rongokako. There are many stories of Te Mata, with each of the different iwi telling their own story. As different hapū see Te Mata from different angles, they each have a different visual and historical perspective relating to the maunga. Each marae must tell their own story that best represents their people, and all stories are respected and acknowledged equally.

The Story of Te Mata

Photograph by Tim Whittaker

STAY INFORMED

Keep up to date with latest events

Keep abreast of what’s going on in and around the park on our news page and subscribe to our newsletter for more detailed park happenings. Don’t miss out!

Tākaro Trails gives back to Te Mata Park

September 23, 2026

We are delighted to have received $950 from local tour group Tākaro Trails, as part of their commitment to giving back to the Park.

Sajith Muraleedharan

Winter Newsletter

September 11, 2026

From snow at the summit, to the community digging in at our Whānau Planting Day, to generous new funding for education in the Park - it's been a big winter on the maunga.

Te Mata Park

Five years of trapping in the Park

September 11, 2026

This winter marks five years since trapping began in the Park, and the results are something to celebrate.

Te Mata Park

A season of education growth

September 11, 2026

Our Schools for Trees programme has gone from strength to strength this winter, thanks to generous funding from Genera.

Tom Keefe

What you told us: Te Mata Park 2026 Survey results

September 11, 2026

Thank you to everyone who took part in this year's Te Mata Park community survey. Your feedback helps shape how we look after and improve the Park, and we're grateful for the time you took to share your thoughts.

Te Mata Park

Community mahi brings new shelter to Tamariki Ako

August 11, 2026

A new structure at Tamariki Ako - our kids' bike track area - will give young riders and their whānau a place to shelter in all seasons while they enjoy the track.

Join the Te Mata Park Trust Board

July 29, 2026

Applications are now open to join the Te Mata Park Trust Board as a Trustee, helping guide the long-term stewardship of Te Mata Park, one of Te Matau-a-Māui's most treasured places.

Te Mata Park

Whānau Planting Day a success

July 27, 2026

Thank you to everyone who dug in with us at our Whānau Planting Day recently. We planted 620 natives around Tamariki Ako (our kids’ bike track area), helping create future shade, shelter, beauty and biodiversity.

Tom Keefe

Thank You, First Light Community Foundation!

July 21, 2026

A big thank you to First Light Community Foundation for their grant of $848 towards the operational costs of Te Mata Park.

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A HELPING HAND

We thank our local councils for continued support

CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUTURE

Help us protect and expand Te Mata Park

You can also make a huge difference with a donation to Te Mata Park Trust. We have a number of different ways you can donate, from making a general donation to support operations, giving to our Ngā Tipuna Fund, funding trees, or making a bequest.

Ways to Donate

Haere mai | Welcome to Te Mata Park and its famous peak, one of the most loved and visited places in Hawke’s Bay.

Gifted in perpetuity to the community in 1927 and managed by a small group of volunteer trustees, with appreciated help from local councils and the community, the Park is a cultural, historical and recreational treasure.

Seven time winner of the prestigious international green space award.

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Ours Forever | Te Mata Tō Tatou Ake Tonu Atu