The Arataki Visitor Centre opened in the early 1990s as a place to welcome visitors to the Waitakere Ranges, which cover more than 39,500 acres (16,000 hectares). The mountains, home to more than 500 species of native plant and around 50 species of native bird, are a popular destination for hikers, campers, and nature lovers.
The visitor center presents a range of displays detailing the history and geography of the area, and rangers can advise you on where to walk, where to camp (tent or campervan), and how to deal with any incoming weather. The center is also home to a series of beautiful Maoriwhakairo (carvings) and a centralpou (pillar) representing the ancestors of the local Maoriiwi (tribe), Te Kawerau a Maki. Many sightseeing tours to New Zealand’s west coast from Auckland stop at the center.