Parks are more than just conservation areas or places to go for recreation – many are also home to heritage features that define the unique character of their area.

Heritage features in our regional parks range from pre-European habitation sites and historic homesteads to remnants of Second World War defence facilities.

Noel Reardon, Auckland Council’s Heritage Manager, says these sites show the timeline of settlement and land use over many hundreds of years. “Stories told on our regional parks give visitors an insight into what the landscape may have looked like many years ago,” he says. 

“Caring for these remnants of our past is just as important as the protection and restoration of natural areas.”

Places to visit include:

• restored farm buildings and Scandrett family homestead at Scandrett Regional Park
• pā, middens and kūmara pits at Ātiu Creek Regional Park
• historic Couldrey House at Wenderholm Regional Park
• Second World War pillbox gun emplacements at Shakespear Regional Park
• Rose Hellaby House on Scenic Drive.

Scandrett Regional Park.