Te Kiri Warrior Trail

Introduction
North Island New Zealand

Ride through some of new Zealand's most beautiful coastal scenery - sandy surf beaches, dunes, Pohutukawa glades and native bush. 

Learn the workings of authentic farm life with your friendly hosts - descendants of the area's first Maori Rangitira (chief). Their farm is on lands that have been handed down for many generations.

Pakiri Beach is their private 15 km long, white sand beach where wild dolphins can be seen playing from time to time. Stay the night in comfortable chalets and enjoy real farmhouse cooking, falling asleep and waking to the sound of the waves crashing along the beach. 

Ride the trails of the Maori ancestors and journey through exotic pine forests and rolling green farmland to fresh water lakes, where you can refresh with a swim. Experience the outlook of a paramount Maori chief and visit his ancient Pa site high above the Pacific ocean. Tread the paths of his people and sleep safely in their sacred house. Enjoy the company of his descendents, their stories and the food they share with you.

Most of all revel in the freedom of traveling on horseback in this very unique and special place filled with Maori tradition and stunning scenery.

Accomodation

The farm is only a 1½-hour drive from Auckland through farmland and native bush with extraordinary coastal views. Experience authentic farm life with your friendly hosts - descendants of the area's first Maori rangitira (chief). Their farm is on lands that have been handed down for generations. Pakiri Beach is a 15 km long private white sandy beach. Stay in attractive and comfortable chalets and enjoy real farmhouse cooking. Wake up to the sound of waves crashing onto a deserted surf beach.

The Farm
The farm is 2,000 acres of coastal hill country in lower Northland, carrying 200 beef and breeding cattle, 800 Perendale sheep and 127 horses. 25 of these horses comprise the well established Arabian horse stud Taurere Park Arabians.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding
English, some western and stock saddles.

Crossbred, Appaloosa, Thoroughbred, Quarterhorse, Stock Horse and Clydesdale.

Moderate with nice canters on the beach.

Approx. 2 hours of introductory riding on the first day.
The rest of the days will have approximately 5 - 6 hours of riding.

Itinerary

Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrive by midday. The introductory Ride starts around 2 pm along the beautiful beach (approx. 2 hrs). Enjoy dinner with your hosts Laly and Sharley, descendants of Te Kiri paramount chief of Ngati Wai and his daughter Rahui, and who have lived their entire lives farming this land. Over night stay at the farm house or in the beach house.

Day 2  We start at 10 am for a day's riding on the beautiful white sand Pacific surf beach. Here you may be lucky enough to see wild dolphins playing in the surf and indeed ride in and swim with them.this of course cant be guaranteed but we do this occasionally! You will ride along trails in the pine forest once used by Maori warriors in ancient times as they protected their territory here from visiting tribes.This is the trail run by the legendary runner Tau Kokopu who was as famous for his skill with the taiaha as he was for his speed running.
Lunch at the freshwater Lake Tomarata - if the weather is warm you might like to swim your horse and cool off. Then up over Te Arai Point where the views over the beach and out to the islands Te Moana nui O Toi O tuatahi ( The floats of the net of Toi in the great sea) Hauturu (Little Barrier) Aotea (Great Barrier) Mokohinau and the Taranga (Hen and Chickens) are spectacular Overnight at the lovely Lakeview Chalets overlooking Lake Spectacle.
Approx 5 hours riding.

Day 3  Full day ride along the long white sand Te Arai beach much loved by surfers for its left hand break, ride over Te Arai Point and through the forest  Finish your day riding along Pakiri beach and through an ancient pohutukawa glade (if you are riding in early December these gorgeous old trees will be covered in bright red blossom hence the name NZ Christmas tree) to your accommodation and a hearty dinner.
Approx 5 hours riding

Day 4  Depart for the Maori Marae at Leigh. We climb high above the white sands of the beach to the Pa (the lookout fortress) of the paramount chief Te Kiri the ancestor of your hosts Laly and Sharley. Here you will be able to look out over the ocean to the Barrier islands and the Hen and Chickens and Coromandel and also to Rangitoto and Auckland city in the distance. We will travel over beautiful farmland down to the little fishing township of Leigh. A short ride from there to Omaha Marae, a genuine Maori marae still run on the traditions of the past. You will all sleep the night together in the meeting house on mattresses on the floor as is the custom. You will be able to talk with the people and learn something of their history and their lives today. If there are less than 6 people in the group we will be staying at either Molly Hawk Cottage or Goat island Outlook - a delightful bed and breakfast lodge where you may soak in a hot spa pool or have a cooling swim in the big pool. BBQ meal. Approx 5 hours riding.

Day 5  After a hearty breakfast you will begin your return trip stopping for lunch at Te Kiri’s Pa high above the sea. From here a steep descent to the beach where you can enjoy a brisk gallop along the sand and then ride through the dunes and along the estuary where you can see a wonderful variety of birds, up over some hilly farmland and return to Pakiri. Enjoy an afternoon tea or a cool beer. Departure in the afternoon or we can extend your stay with an overnight with dinner (extra).
Approx 4 hours riding

Note: We need a minimum of 6 people to stay on Marae. If  the group is too small we will stay at the Sawmill accommodation. This is very nice and is in a old historic sawmill. Here you can enjoy the bar and restaurant for dinner if you wish. Excellent dining. You may prefer to up grade to a motel apartment instead of the backpacker. We may alternatively stay at Goat Island Outlook or Mollyhawk Cottage.

Sometimes at very short notice it is not possible to stay at the Marae… if there is a tangi (funeral) or other sacred reasons, in this case we can compromise by staying the night at a local restaurant/motel The Sawmill Café, a legend in its own right. We would be able to view the marae from the distance but not visit… this is a situation that cannot be avoided and riders must be aware that they may have to show some flexibility if this should arise.

Rates and Dates for Te Kiri Warrior Trail

Dates Note: Additional dates can be arranged on request

Other Info
Meeting: Pakiri Beach 2 PM.
Airport: Auckland
Transfer: Take bus from Auckland to Warkworth or Wellsford. We arrange a transfer from there for you for $10 - each way. Or we can arrange a shuttle from Aukland (on request)

Climate:

Because New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperature decreases as you travel south. The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20 - 30ºC and in winter between 10 - 15ºC.

New Zealand does not have a large temperature range, lacking the extremes found in most continental climates. However, New Zealand weather can change unexpectedly—as cold fronts or tropical storms quickly blow in. Because of this, you should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature if you're going hiking or doing other outdoor activities.

What we supply:
Oilskin raincoat, Saddlebags, Riding helmets

Avoiding aches and pains:
Wear panty hose, tights or lycra bike pants under your riding pants to help reduce chafing.
Avoid wearing new or freshly starched jeans; those seams can be a killer.
Lengthen stirrup leathers a notch or two to reduce stress on knee joints.
Protect all exposed skin from the sun.
Take the opportunity to walk when possible.
Do some simple stretching exercises before mounting.
Bring some Vaseline or similar for chafed bits
A small cotton neckerchief can helf keep sunburn at bay when you have an open neck shirt.
We recommend half chaps.

Safety helmets are mandatory and will be provided.