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!

Spring Newsletter

December 6, 2024

As the days grow longer and new life springs forth in the Park, we’re pleased to share our Spring Newsletter with you, including an update on a significant planting milestone, results from our recent survey, a celebration in the Little Redwoods, and more.

Eleanor Lonergan

Te Mata Park 2024 Survey Results

November 28, 2024

Results from the Te Mata Park 2024 Survey are out, providing useful insights that will support the Park’s operational decision making and long-term strategy, and confirming the taonga is central to wellbeing and health.

Eleanor Lonergan

Te Mata Park’s Little Redwoods grove turns 50

November 4, 2024

Members of the Rotary Club of Hastings and representatives from Te Mata Park Trust gathered in the Little Redwoods on Friday 1 November to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the planting of the grove.

Eleanor Lonergan

Winter Newsletter

August 26, 2024

Despite the winter months, hibernation has not been on the agenda of our Park team, supporters, or volunteers.

Maria Chalmers

Hawke’s Bay trail run back blazing with charity partner Te Mata Park Trust following cyclone

August 14, 2024

Organisers of Hawke’s Bay’s annual Peak Trail Blazer, a 12.8km and 3.5km trail run and walk over Te Mata Park and through Tainui Reserve, are hoping for a large turnout when the event returns in November this year after it was cancelled in 2023 due to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Eleanor Lonergan

Have your say in the Te Mata Park 2024 Survey

July 3, 2024

The Te Mata Park 2024 Survey is out now, and we invite Park users to participate and have their say.

Paul Needham

Public sentiment sees Te Mata Park Trust retain regional council funding

July 1, 2024

An annual grant of $120,000 from the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) to Te Mata Park Trust is set to be retained, following a reversal of the funding cut proposed in the council’s draft Three Year Plan (2024-2027).

Emma Van Wyk

Autumn Newsletter

May 28, 2024

Welcome to our Autumn Newsletter. We hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful time of year in the Park - the cold mornings and misty views from the summit certainly signal that Autumn is here.

Damon Harvey

Funding loss could limit public access to Te Mata Park

April 13, 2024

The loss of vital funding from the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will set Te Mata Park back by a decade and will fail to protect the region’s most popular recreational and tourism asset.

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.

Five times winner of the prestigious international green space award.

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Ours Forever | Te Mata Tō Tatou Ake Tonu Atu