WHICH NATIVE TREE is That ? Nature Discovery Field Trip - Waitakere Ranges

Hello Nature Enthusiasts And others interested .

Can you identify a Kauri Tree from a Rimu Tree or a Pohutukawa Tree . .also known as a NZ Christmas Tree from a Cabbage Tree ?

Join us today for a Nature Discovery Field Trip in the Waitakere Ranges gathering at the highly popular Arataki Information Centre on Scenic Drive about 10 minutes drive away from Titirangi Township.

We will learn a Simple Method of identifying New Zealand native trees and some plants and ferns, and some birds ..using my favourite author, Andrew Crowe's unique leaf key, based on the shape of the leaves, because almost all retain their leaves year round.

Basically there are three ways in which leaves are arranged on a branch or stalk, hand shaped, alternating or opposite.
Toothed and untoothed..and by the leaves length etc.

By looking at the ground under a tree if it's tall, on actually on the tree itself, I've been bringing people together for outdoor adventures and shared hiking for many years...and learning something about the things we see along the way, particularly our nz natives trees and plants here in Aucklands Waitakere Ranges...can enhance your outdoors recreational activities..help each other...and add variety to the days hiking or trekking or in New Zealand, we call bush walking, tramping.

Children today are often on electronic devices...and adults are mainly focused on rushing from A to B...then to C...and the end...of a track or trail...instead of encouraging their family's to learn something about the history of Auckland, in particular...the Waitakere Ranges...Plants, Trees, Animals and Birds....and I call this Mindfulness Walking..slower paced walking and socializing, and learning something about the things we see along the way.

We will start off learning how to identify the trees around the Arataki Information Centre, and take a look inside..there's static displays showing birds, lizards and bats here ..and additional reading stuff that you may be interested in purchasing.

We will then follow a few special Nature Trails here ..and use a few handouts that will quickly help you to identify New Zealand native trees by their leaves.

As we farewell Summer and welcome Autumn or Fall. Nature Discovery Walks are going to be the focus of my walking group events on Auckland Social Events in the next few months..

Today's introduction to learning to identify trees is aimed at Adults only..so please leave the children and family pets at home.

WHEN- March 7th - 2026 . Saturday AFTERNOON

Meet and Greet is 2pm..We will aim to be finished by 5pm. Stay as long as you wish.

WHERE MEETING- The Arataki Information Centre Carpark Entrance To Arataki. Ground Floor by the Toilets.

GPS is 300 Scenic Drive. Roughly 10 minutes drive away from Titirangi.

About 45 minutes drive away from Auckland CBD. Free Carparking. No Bus Transportation.

RSVP Rules - Please be sure you have a clear recognizable portrait photo of yourself for everyone's safety and happiness that you can be identified. Your first name is given and you have a fair to intermediate understanding of English. Thank you.

Bring along everything you need to keep yourself fed and hydrated and carry a rain jacket or umbrella. Wear strong walking shoes or something similar. Warm layers like merino or thermal wool etc help to keep yourself happy outdoors today when we stop to rest and talk about the trees here.

Transportation- Carpooling.

If you’d like to get a Ride, add your Mobile number and Area where you live and contact each other. I suggest you give your Driver some money towards petrol costs or buy them an ice cream here.

Anyone interested in assisting others with transportation please add your Mobile number too. Thank you.

About Stephen F. Your Walking Guide . I've been bringing people together for outdoor adventures and shared hiking for many years on Meet Up Groups. I founded Feet First Hiking And Urban Walking Meet Up Group in 2010, and have personally Organized over 850 Events. I'm a quirky extroverted knowledgeable hiking guide, born and bred kiwi guy...And I have a girlfriend called Grace now too.

We look forward to sharing quality time with you today as we learn something about nature today, discovering the known uses of each tree here today...by reading several tree identification books I will bring along. Hopefully you may have some too...or just be interested in learning something .

Any questions please contact me directly.

See you on Saturday afternoon at Arataki Information Centre.

Kind regards.

Stephen F.
mob 0274 779495
Auckland Social Events