Spring Newsletter

As this season draws to a close, we are pleased to share news from the Park over this time, including a flurry of donation activity, a bat collaboration, the reopening of Tamariki Ako, a Green Flag Community Award, and some good news for Triple Peaks enthusiasts.

Ngā mihi,
Te Mata Park Trust Board

Thank you to our generous donors

In addition to the valued support we receive from Hastings District Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, we are delighted to have received donations and grants from the following organisations this spring:

• Art Deco Trust – a substantial donation towards native regeneration in 2026
• Hawke’s Bay Foundation – much needed funds to boost our education programme
• Pub Charity Limited – funding for our essential operating expenses
• Four Square Te Mata – a donation to our Ngā Tipuna endowment fund, managed by Hawke’s Bay Foundation, to protect and enhance the Park for future generations
• Kārearea Outdoor Adventures – a contribution to our operating expenses

As a charity that relies on grants and donations for more than one third of our annual operating expenses, we are incredibly grateful to these organisations for their support. Thanks also to our Fundraising and Grants Manager Catherine Mueller who works tirelessly to ensure a consistent funding stream for the Park.

If you love the Park, we ask you to please consider making a donation. Donations big or small can be made via our website or you can contact Catherine.

Te Mata Park honoured with seventh Green Flag Community Award

We are delighted to have received a Green Flag Community Award for 2025/26 – our seventh since first entering. Te Mata Park is one of only three parks in Aotearoa New Zealand to achieve the community accolade, reinforcing its status as a cherished and actively supported park.

The Green Flag Award celebrates parks and green spaces that meet the highest standards of environmental management, safety, facilities, and community engagement. The Community Award specifically recognises parks where volunteers and local groups play a central and ongoing role in the care, protection, and enhancement of the land.

We extend our thanks to everyone who contributes to the Park – through volunteering, donations, partnerships, or simply by enjoying the trails with care and respect. We also thank and acknowledge the ongoing support of our strategic funding partners Hastings District Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. You can read more about the award here.

Are there bats in Te Mata Park?

This is the question at the heart of a new citizen science project run by The Bat Co. Lab in collaboration with Te Mata Park, Cape Sanctuary, and Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay. The Echoes Around Te Mata project is part of the larger National Bat Survey, a country-wide effort to better understand and protect Aotearoa’s only native land mammals.

Locals within a 25 km radius of Te Mata Peak are invited to host a Demeter Bat Detector at their property until 30th April 2026. These devices are easy to install, completely passive, and help scientists gather vital data on the presence and movement of pekapeka (native bats) in our region.

To find out more and register your interest in hosting a bat detector at your property, please visit The Bat Co. Lab website.

Triple Peaks: 28 March 2026

Registrations are now open for Triple Peaks 2026, Hawke’s Bay’s iconic endurance event, challenging runners, walkers and mountain bikers to take on the region’s three legendary peaks – Kahurānaki, Te Mata Peak, and Kōhinurākau / Kōhinerākau / Mt Erin. There are individual entry options for one, two, or three peaks, as well as relay options for two or three member teams.

The 2026 race is organised by local sporting event veterans Triathlon Hawke’s Bay with Harcourts Hawke’s Bay as the key sponsor. A portion of the proceeds of the event will be donated to Te Mata Park Trust.

Dust off the running shoes, service your bike, and get training! To find out more and register, go to the Triple Peaks website.

Community effort sees Tamariki Ako reopen

This spring has seen the reopening of the revamped Tamariki Ako, our kids’ bike track area that was damaged following the cyclone. It has been such a pleasure to see young riders having fun and boosting their skills and confidence on these new tracks.

The re-opening of Tamariki Ako would not have been possible without the mahi of a small group of volunteers led by David Gordon from Baywide Dingos, and Hilton Taylor from Revolution Bikes. The Trust received financial support for the project from Ivan and Jo Aplin, Mat, Jane and Imogen Bailey, and Rachael and Hamish Waddington of Z Service Station Havelock North. Farmlands Hastings kindly discounted the drainage culverts, and Michael Bate and Sunshine Joinery each donated a picnic table. Thank you to all involved – a true team effort! Read more about Tamariki Ako.

Fire safety this summer

This spring has been particularly dry and after a recent fire below Main Gates car park we would like to remind everyone of the serious threat that fire poses to Te Mata Park. Thanks to the quick response from firefighters the fire was extinguished, but not before it burnt a sizeable area of native planting, resulting in the loss of about 80 established plants.

A reminder to all that there are strictly no fires or fireworks allowed in Te Mata Park at any time. To help protect Te Mata Park from fire, please report any fires immediately by calling 111, and any potential fire hazards to our Park Manager, Sarah Austin-Smith.

Invasive Chilean needle grass found on Te Mata Peak

You may have seen news this week about the discovery of Chilean needle grass on Te Mata Peak. Classified as a ‘sustained control pest’ under the Hawke’s Bay Regional Pest Management Plan, Chilean needle grass poses a serious threat to agriculture, the environment, and the regional economy.

After discovering the plants, Te Mata Park caretakers immediately removed them and contacted Regional Council staff who carried out targeted spraying. The area will continue to be closely monitored for any signs of regrowth.

If you see Chilean needle grass in Te Mata Park (or anywhere), please report the potential sighting to the Regional Council Biosecurity Team on 06 835 9200. It is hard to identify, so please take a photo if you can.

To find out more about the grass, the impact of potential spread, and what landowners need to know, go here.

Meet our new Trustees

With two new Trustees, two Aspiring Trustees, and a new Board Chair appointed to the Trust this year, we are running a short profile on each new member so people can get to know them. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn as we profile our volunteer Trustees, starting off with our new Aspiring Trustee Julia Harison. To find out what skills and experience Julia brings to the Trust, and why the new native planting below the saddle is now her favourite place in Te Mata Park, read on here.

News from Peak House

Something special is coming to Peak House this holiday season. On the 4th of December the eatery will be open for dinner, offering a relaxed seasonal set menu of shared plates for groups up to 20. Bookings are essential and can be made emailing the team at Peak House.

Peak House is also open 9-3 from Wednesday to Sunday for their regular service. With delicious food, great coffee, and no doubt the best views in all Te Matau a Māui, it is the perfect spot for a festive catch-up or post-Park activity treat. Check out their menu and further details here.

Some useful things to be aware of:

• Sheep are currently grazing in the Park to keep the weeds and grass under control and reduce fire risk. Dog owners – please be vigilant and use a lead if there is any chance your dog might worry sheep.
• Be aware of the native stinging nettle ongaonga (pictured) which grows in Te Mata Park. It can cause painful irritation to people, but reactions from dogs can be more severe. Read more about why we retain pockets of ongaonga in the Park and the signs of ongaonga toxicity in dogs.
• A reminder that electric motorbikes are not permitted in Te Mata Park. They are heavy, fast, and almost silent – making them a serious risk to other Park users, as well and damaging to the tracks.
• Please make use of the newly salvaged bike rack tucked in beside the main signs at the Tauroa car park entrance, on the fence line up from the toilet block.