Last updated November 2026
Four neighbouring reserves fill the gullies and ridges of the Havelock North hills between the village and Te Mata Park, crossed by walking and cycling tracks that form one recreation network with the park. Tainui, Tanner, Tauroa and Hikanui Reserves are owned by Hastings District Council and cover 23.791 hectares between them, with Tainui the largest at 16.4 hectares.
Tainui holds two registered archaeological sites, Hikanui Pā and a set of terraces on the ridgeline. Most of the trees are mature exotics, with pockets of native planting by volunteers, and two streams run through the valleys. The council lists all four as off-lead areas for dogs.
Practical Information
- Location
- Havelock North hills, between Havelock North Village and Te Mata Park; entrances off Hikaru Drive, Tauroa Road, Tainui Drive and Tanner Street
- Distance from the city
- In Havelock North, on the hills above the village
- Size
- 23.791 hectares across the four reserves; Tainui is the largest at 16.4 hectares
- Managed by
- Hastings District Council, under the Tainui, Tanner, Tauroa and Hikanui Reserve Management Plan
- Dogs
- Off-lead in all four reserves
- Seating
- In Tainui Reserve and at the Tauroa car park
- Toilets
- No public toilets
- Tracks
- Walking and cycling tracks across all four reserves, including mountain bike tracks in Tainui, Tauroa and Hikanui; Tanner is walking only
- Status
- Hastings District Council: Tainui, Tanner, Tauroa and Hikanui Reserves page
About Tainui, Tanner, Tauroa and Hikanui Reserves
The four reserves sit close together on the hills between Havelock North Village and Te Mata Park. They are a mix of Recreation Reserve and Local Purpose Reserve under the Reserves Act 1977. Tainui has steep-sided gullies, with the Mangarau Stream running through its lower reaches.
Tauroa, the second largest, has Te Kahika Stream through its centre and notable native planting by volunteers. Tanner and Hikanui are the smaller two. The council treats all four as natural open space, so upkeep is mostly limited to paths, weeding and tree care. Keith Sands Grove, a reserve and road reserve alongside, is another well-used way into Tainui.
Much of what you walk through today is mature exotic forest. The council’s draft plan says investigations for mana whenua found the reserves are located within one of the last remaining stands of indigenous forest of the 1840s, which it calls the “pre-1840s ngāhere urutapu“.
The draft sets a long-term aim of restoring native forest across all four reserves, keeping most mature exotic trees to shelter the regenerating natives.
In 2021 the council began reviewing how the reserves are managed, after concern about newly built mountain bike tracks. Almost 500 people gave feedback, and the themes that came through were protecting cultural heritage, keeping the reserves peaceful and natural, and keeping the chance to walk, cycle, walk dogs and play in nature.
Hikanui Pā
Hikanui Pā and the terraces on the ridgeline to the west are registered archaeological sites inside Tainui Reserve. An archaeological report for the council found them largely “lost in the landscape”, worn down over time by tree roots, falling trees, uncontrolled movement through the area, weather and a lack of information.
The council has worked with mana whenua, with guidance from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, on a concept and management plan for the pā, and its draft plan proposed removing the large exotic trees on and around it in stages. Keep to the formed tracks here and treat the site with respect.
Walking and Biking the Reserves
Walkers, riders and runners all use the reserves. A corridor of walking and cycling tracks crosses the four and forms one recreation network with Te Mata Park.
Tainui has a downhill mountain bike track in its western valley, Tauroa has a mountain bike track and a boardwalk, and Hikanui has a downhill mountain bike track and an uphill track shared by bikes and walkers.
Tanner is for walking only. The council’s draft plan noted some conflict between walkers and riders on shared paths, so keep an ear out for bikes and give way where you can.
Dogs can be off lead in all four reserves. The draft plan proposed keeping that rule everywhere except the interior of Hikanui Pā, where dogs would be banned, so check the council’s page for the dog rules before you go.
Where to Learn More
Hastings District Council: Tainui, Tanner, Tauroa and Hikanui Reserves: the council’s page for the four reserves, with sizes, dog rules, seating, toilets, entrances and the management plan.
Hastings District Council: Havelock reserves draft management plan: the consultation page and draft management plan for Tainui, Tanner, Tauroa, Hikanui and Keith Sands Grove.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Tainui, Tanner, Tauroa and Hikanui Reserves?
In the Havelock North hills, between Havelock North Village and Te Mata Park. The council lists entrances off Hikaru Drive, Tauroa Road, Tainui Drive and Tanner Street.
How big are the reserves?
The four cover 23.791 hectares in all. Tainui is the largest at 16.4 hectares, Tauroa is second, and Hikanui and Tanner are the smaller ones.
Can I walk my dog off-leash?
Yes. The council lists all four reserves as off-lead areas for dogs. The 2022 draft plan proposed banning dogs from the interior of Hikanui Pā, so check the council’s page for the rule there.
Can I mountain bike there?
Yes. There are mountain bike tracks in Tainui, Tauroa and Hikanui. Tanner Reserve is walking only.
What is Hikanui Pā?
A registered archaeological site in Tainui Reserve, along with terraces on the ridgeline to the west. The council has worked with mana whenua on a plan for its care.
Are there toilets or seats?
There are no public toilets. Seating is in Tainui Reserve and at the Tauroa car park.
Do the tracks connect to Te Mata Park?
Yes. The council describes the reserves’ walking and cycling tracks as part of a recreation network with Te Mata Park.
Who looks after the reserves?
Hastings District Council owns them and manages them under the Tainui, Tanner, Tauroa and Hikanui Reserve Management Plan, with volunteers planting native trees, especially in Tauroa.
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