Ancient kahikatea, taraire, and totara stand tall, home to long-tailed bats and, when the fruit is ripe, flocks of native birds.
Pukenui Western Hills Forest covers nearly 2,000 hectares of native forest right on the doorstep of Whangārei city. It’s home to pekapeka-tou-roa, kererū and North Island brown kiwi, and a place where people find a meaningful connection with nature.
Through conservation, education and community connection, we protect this special whenua. It’s a community-led effort to protect wildlife, making sure the forest that’s known as The Lungs of Whangārei remains a place to explore, learn, and enjoy.
Take a stroll on the walking tracks – Link to Walks that Whangārei locals love. Bring friends, family, or just yourself, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the native forest. Listen to birdsong and experience a day that’s as relaxing as it is inspiring.
Our rangers love sharing the magic of the forest and its inhabitants with school groups and visitors. Walk the trap lines, see conservation work firsthand, and discover the plants and animals that make this forest so unique. It’s a hands-on, interactive experience that’s designed to inspire the next generation of environmental guardians.
You can play a part in protecting Pukenui Western Hills Forest. Volunteer to help with pest control and planting or become a member to support ongoing conservation. Volunteering is rewarding, fun, and a chance to connect with great people. You can also make a greatly appreciated donation or sponsor a project to support native wildlife and forest health.
