Wellington Regional Trails
A traditional red Māori pou (carved post) with Wellington city in the background.

Step back in time and follow the footsteps of the first people to live in Wellington along the harbour and coastline on this Māori heritage trail.

Walking time
2 hr
Length
3.5km
Uses
Walking/Running
Walking difficulty
Easy: Walking track
Profile

15m climb

10m descent

13m highest point

Dogs
Yes (on lead)

About the trail

Te Ara o Ngā Tupuna (The Trail of our Ancestors) is a walking and driving trail from Thorndon to Owhiro Bay in Wellington city. The first part is a walking trail that starts at Pipitea Marae in Thorndon and ends at Waitangi Park.

It takes about two hours to complete, with stops along the way to learn about the history of the land and the people. The information stations are marked with a pou (carved post), rock, or information panel. While many of the original sites previously occupied by Māori have been built over or destroyed, they still have a strong spiritual presence.

Te Ara o Ngā Tūpuna is a joint project between Wellington City Council, the Wellington Tenths Trust and Ngāti Toa.

Inside an exhibition space in Te Wharewaka o Pōneke, a multipurpose function centre and waka house located on Taranaki Stree Wharf on Wellington's waterfront. The dark room has images and text on display with a glass floor in the middle of the space.

Te Ara o Ngā Tūpuna goes past 39 Taranaki Street where the remains from Te Aro Pā were uncovered in 2005. The visitor centre houses the preserved foundations of two whare ponga (buildings) and other items from the old Pā dating back to the 1840s.

Getting there

There are frequent bus services to the start point on Thorndon Quay at Capital Gateway. Timetables are available from Metlink.

Know before you go

Te Ara o Ngā Tūpuna Heritage Walk goes through busy city areas. Stay on the sidewalks and follow pedestrian signs.

For more information download the Wellington City Council brochure.

Looking for more?

At start of items
A view of Wellington Harbour/ Port Nicholson at golden hour with Matiu/Somes Island in the centre of the image.

Mātiu/Somes Island

Matiu / Somes Island is a peaceful nature reserve on an island in Wellington Harbour. Catch the ferry from Wellington and enjoy easy walking tracks.

The view overlooking Wellington and the harbour from the summit of Mount Kaukau on the Skyline Walkway.

Northern Walkway

Northern Walkway is a half-day walk through Wellington's outer green belt. Discover abandoned railway tunnels, great views and scenic reserves.

The bright blue water and rugged coastline at Red Rocks on Wellington's south coast.

Red Rocks Coastal Walk

Waimapihi Reserve, Brooklyn Turbine and Te Kopahou ReserveRed Rocks Coastal Walk is a flat easy walk around Wellington's rugged south coast. Look out for fur seals and enjoy views of the South Island.

Two people take a selfie together at the Mount Victoria Lookout overlooking Wellington.

Southern Walkway

Southern Walkway is a 4 to 6-hour walk on Wellington's Town Belt between the city and Island Bay. Walk to Mount Victoria past Lord of the Rings film locations.

The Juvenile Delinquent trail at Centennial Reserve in Miramar.

Juvenile Delinquent

Centennial ReserveJuvie is a great trail to start out on. Warm up before another track or practice your skills as a beginner mountain biker.

A skate park with some graffiti tags on the pavement.

Kids Track

Centennial ReserveKids Track is a fun mountain bike track in Centennial Reserve for kids or beginners to test their skills with rollers and small structures.

The Nevay Link track at Centennial Reserve in Miramar.

Nevay Link

Centennial ReserveNevay Link is a short access track for mountain bikers into Centennial Reserve from Nevay Road to the Juvenile Delinquent trail.

A birdseye view of the Eastern Walkway and the surrounding water, a hiking trail in Wellington, New Zealand.

Eastern Walkway

The Eastern Walkway has big coastal views from the Miramar Peninsula. The easy track follows native bush along the coast and goes past the Atatürk war memorial.

Mother and child walking down a concrete path surrounded by leafy trees and flowers.

Wellington Botanic Garden trails

Wellington Botanic Garden offers views and surprises near the city, with easy walking trails around native forest and bush, blossoming flowers, and sculptures.

A dog on a leash going over a boardwalk on Redwood Bush Loop in Tawa.

Redwood Bush Loop

Redwood Bush Loop is an easy one-hour walk in Tawa through mature tawa, matai, and rata trees. The ridgeline provides great views over northern Wellington.