Last updated November 2026
Timber milling in the 1930s and fires in the 1940s left their mark on the country around Puketitiri, but one block of old forest escaped both. Balls Clearing Scenic Reserve, on Pakaututu Road about 5 km from Puketitiri, protects dense virgin podocarp forest of rimu, mataī, miro and kahikatea, ringed by red beech around the clearing itself.
The Department of Conservation manages it, and its walking tracks take between 10 and 40 minutes, with an 800 m section suitable for wheelchair users. At the entrance there are picnic shelters, a large grassed area, toilets and water. DOC also lists it as a good place to see the long-tailed bat.
Practical Information
- Location
- Pakaututu Road, about 5 km from Puketitiri, near Kaweka Forest Park
- Distance from the city
- About 50 km from Hastings in a straight line; DOC puts it about an hour’s drive from Napier
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Walking times
- A network of tracks taking 10 to 40 minutes; an 800 m section suits wheelchair users
- Dogs
- No dogs
- Facilities
- Picnic shelters, a large grassed area, toilets and water at the entrance
- Rules
- No dogs, fires or camping
- Status
- Department of Conservation: Balls Clearing Scenic Reserve page
- Track markers
- On marked bush tracks, DOC and most councils use orange triangles for the walking route. Triangles or tape in other colours, usually pink or blue, mark pest-control lines and traps. They can lead off the track, so don’t follow them.
About Balls Clearing Scenic Reserve
DOC describes the reserve as lowland podocarp forest that escaped both the timber milling of the 1930s and the fires that swept the area in the 1940s. What survives is dense stands of straight-trunked trees, mainly rimu, mataī, miro and kahikatea, with a fringe of red beech around the clearing that gives the reserve its name.
Below the canopy, the understorey holds kōhūhū, putaputawētā, broadleaf, mature fuchsia and five finger, over a mix of ground ferns. Look closely at the five finger and you may find mistletoe.
DOC says the most common species here is Tupeia antarctica, which is semi-parasitic, drawing water and nutrients from its host. Possums had browsed it heavily, but a long-term possum control programme has brought “vigorous regrowth”.
Native birds are numerous, especially at dawn and dusk, though DOC notes they are heard more often than seen. Kererū, tūī and korimako (bellbird) are among them. DOC suggests the reserve for photography, birdwatching and natural history study, and calls the short walks good for families.
Long-Tailed Bats
Balls Clearing has significant colonies of the long-tailed bat, which roosts in hollow trees in mature forest like this. Bats are New Zealand’s only native land mammals. They find their way by echolocation, feed mainly on insects such as moths and rest hanging upside down by the claws of their hind legs. DOC says research points to rats as possibly the main cause of the long-tailed bat’s decline.
Getting There
From Puketitiri, follow Pakaututu Road for about 5 km to the reserve entrance, where the picnic shelters and toilets are. DOC places the reserve about an hour’s drive from Napier and close to Kaweka Forest Park. Leave dogs at home, and note that fires and camping are not allowed in the reserve.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Balls Clearing Scenic Reserve: reserve information, facilities, alerts and status. Reserve information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Department of Conservation: Kaweka Forest Park: the neighbouring forest park, its road ends and access roads. Park information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Balls Clearing Scenic Reserve?
On Pakaututu Road, about 5 km from Puketitiri and near Kaweka Forest Park. It is about 50 km from Hastings in a straight line.
How long are the walks?
The track network takes 10 to 40 minutes to walk, depending on the route you choose.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Partly. DOC says an 800 m section of track is suitable for wheelchair users.
Are there toilets and picnic facilities?
Yes. The entrance has picnic shelters, a large grassed area, toilets and water.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Dogs are not permitted, and neither are fires or camping.
What trees grow there?
Mainly rimu, mataī, miro and kahikatea, with red beech around the clearing and an understorey of kōhūhū, putaputawētā, broadleaf, fuchsia and five finger.
Can I see bats at Balls Clearing?
The reserve has significant colonies of long-tailed bats, and DOC lists it as a good place to see them. They roost in hollow trees and feed mainly on insects such as moths.
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