About us
Give us a follow on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/moaoutdoors/
Moa Outdoors + is a non-profit meetup hiking group dedicated to organizing safe, enjoyable, scenic and at times adventurous hiking adventures in and around Auckland and further afield. We warmly welcome hikers of all levels from around the globe, inviting you to experience the natural splendor of New Zealand with us. Beyond hiking, we offer ample opportunities for photography, socializing, and making new friends. We try to stop for a break or similar after the event - this is optional.
My name is Noel, I have taken over from David as the lead. David will stay on as Co Organiser. We are lucky to have the support of Rob as Event Organiser. Together we would like Moa Outdoors+ to continue to provide opportunities for people to get Outdoors+. We are looking for another (Event Organiser) and team members to help out. Reach out if this is of interest.
In our fast-paced modern world, we believe every Aucklander deserves a sanctuary where they can be themselves, stay active, and enjoy nature with a great team, sharing laughter on weekends. Thus, we intend to continue with the idea of creating a year-round calendar of well planned hikes based on seasons, weather, preferences, and holidays. We understand that refining this system will take time, and we greatly appreciate and eagerly look forward to receiving any feedback or advice that will benefit everyone. Please don't hesitate to email us at [feedbacks.moasocialhikings@yahoo.com](mailto:feedbacks.moasocialhikings@yahoo.com).
Our hikes are primarily scheduled on Saturdays, though we occasionally organize excursions on Sundays and public holidays as well. As an active hiking group, we focus on easy, intermediate through to advanced hikes, with the occasional extra challenging hike during the summer months. We are worked hard on broadening the menu to cater for a wide range tastes. There are many events that are not yet tested/published so its all very exciting. Are you interested in being part of the Moa recce crew? Ask us about this... Moa Outdoors+ prides itself on fostering a friendly and inclusive group culture. We encourage open communication, mutual care, cultural exchange, and empathy among our members.
You can contribute to events through positive actions. For example, bring with you;
- Feedback for Organisers/Hosts
- Ideas for future events
- A compliment for another attendee
- Helping other attendees in what they might perceive as a difficult situation (most important)
When you see this... + it means this event is a more difficult than normal. We also use a grading system and try to give as much info as we can about the event so you can decide if it’s suitable for you. If you're not sure, please message the host and they can share some more information with you.
Qualification
All New Members are required to do a Grade 3.0 or lower with us before doing any event that is higher Grade. This to ensure that expectations are aligned for the benefit of New Members, Returning Members and Regular Hikers. If you see an event that you like to attend that is higher than 3.0, please jump in on an earlier 3.0 or lower grade event. The Organiser can allow exceptions to this if we know you, or if you can share with us the level of fitness and include some areas/tracks you may have hiked in the last three months. Another general rule of thumb would be, could you walk to the summit of Mt Eden without stopping?
We look forward to embarking on many adventures with you 😊.
Team Moa Outdoors+
DISCLAIMER+
Moa Outdoors+ Liability Disclaimer & Assumption of Risk
1. Voluntary Participation and Inherent Risk
By joining Moa Outdoors+ and RSVPing to our events, you acknowledge that hiking, tramping, and coastal trekking involve inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to, slippery terrain, steep climbs, unpredictable weather, and tidal hazards. You choose to participate voluntarily and at your own risk.
2. Organizer Status
Our Organizers, Co-Organizers, and Event Hosts are unpaid volunteers, not professional guides or first-aid experts. We facilitate the social aspect of the hike and provide a suggested route, but we do not assume legal responsibility for the safety or well-being of participants.
3. Personal Responsibility
Each member is responsible for:
Assessing their own fitness level against the Grade and Difficulty described in the event.
Ensuring they have the correct gear (footwear, 2L+ water, rain protection and suitable clothing for the season/environment).
Following the instructions of the Lead/Host for the safety of the group.
Managing their own medical conditions and carrying necessary personal medication.
4. Release of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to release and hold harmless the Organizers, Co-Organizers, and Event Hosts from any and all claims, liability, or causes of action for personal injury, death, or property damage arising out of or in connection with your participation in group activities.
5. Carpooling Disclaimer
Carpooling is a private arrangement between members. Moa Outdoors+ does not vet drivers, vehicles, or insurance statuses. If you choose to carpool, you do so at your own risk, and the group leaders are not responsible for any incidents occurring during transport.
In choosing to attend Moa Outdoors+ events, you are accepting the above.
6. Payment
Moa Outdoors+ events are not free. The group has costs such as Meetup subscription, safety equipment etc. We use the event fees to cover these costs. It is important that everyone that attends pays on the day. This can be done online using details in the event description or to the host/helpers pre start. In the unlikely event of a non payment, we will make contact to remind you. After that, you will be removed from the group. Regular hikers will get another chance to attend an event, 4 chances to pay before being removed from the group. Clearly this is the least desirable outcome for everyone so please take extra care to ensure you have paid either online or with your $5 note.
7. General
All attendees must have a Meetup profile (18 or over),
Sign up the the event,
No...
- friends
- pets
- on trail music
- smoking
- vaping.
8. Please do not use the MO published information independently for personal or private events before MO event date. This is not consistent with the spirit of the group and may result in your removal.
9. Timeliness
Don't be late, you might get left behind.
Upcoming events
7
South Waikato cumecs - Jones Landing & Te Waihou - Blue Spring
Arapuni Swingbridge car park, 49 Arapuni Road, Arapuni, NZAs part of our South Waikato weekend, we will look at cumecs, megawatts and nephelometric turbidity when on Sunday we will walk to Jones Landing on the Waikato River and afterwards pop over to Te Waihou Blue Spring before heading for home.
Attendees can attend both Saturday (Maungatautari South) and Sunday and stay overnight or just do a single day. If you want to do both and stay please RSVP to BOTH EVENTS. Sunday will start early as I expect most will stay overnight. This event is only realistic for those living in Hamilton, Waikato or nearby if you are not staying overnight.
Everyone goes on the Wait List before getting moved to Going or Not Going. You are required to Prepay within 3 days of being moved to Going or you will be moved to Not Going. Please do not rsvp unless you are committed to Going as no refunds or exchanges will be provided for withdrawals. This event requires reliability for all participants due to accommodation and transport arrangements.
Our first track is part of the Waikato River Cycling Trails following New Zealand's longest river the Mighty Waikato. This short section will take us from Arapuni Village to the popular Jones Landing Campsite located in a beautiful reserve by the Waikato River. The trail head is located near Arapuni Swingbridge. We walk past Arapuni Dam and hydro generation power station. Due to closure of Arapuni Dam for strengthening, our hike will start on the Arapuni side of the Waikato River. Drivers get organised.
After lunch, we will drive to Te Waihou Blue Spring, Leslie Road, Putararu for a short walk to the main area at Blue Spring. We may go a bit further but this is up to the Host on the day. This location is nearby and takes the appropriate amount of time, to allow drivers to get back to Auckland before it gets dark. We are chasing cumecs rather than kilometres today.
THE DIRT - Jones Landing
• Time: Approx. 3.5-3.75 hours including break
• Distance: 10 km out and back
• Elevation gain: 140m (AllTrails seems to overstate this at over 500)
• Difficulty: Easy-moderate
• Terrain: good benched track with some a bit worn. In places a bit slippery but its a soft landing with little risk.
• Grade: 2.5 moderateTHE DIRT - Te Waihou Blue Spring, Leslie Road, Putararu
• Time: Approx. 1 hour
• Distance: tbc km out and back
• Elevation gain: tbc m
• Difficulty: Easy
• Terrain: good track
• Grade: 1.5OVERNIGHTING
If you are backing up from Maungatautari on Saturday...
ACCOMMODATION - book your own ask the Host about the Hotel or make enquiries elsewhere ONCE MOVED TO GOING.
Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel
https://okohotel.co.nz/I understand that OHSH has a cancellation policy of 100% refund if cancelled prior to 48 hours before the booking. 0% refund if cancelled after this. Check before you book.
REFRESHMENTS - Saturday night dinner for those the wish to join at The Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel, or arrange your own dinner.
Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iYsQiq7CCSB2svv38Hike start and finish - Jones Landing
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZSGSb5uyqZqCupXT9There are toilets available nearby at
Arapuni Public Toilet
https://maps.app.goo.gl/K3qkVAbiJR8bDCJu5or Rhubarb Cafe for pre start coffee
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GJ6KL5BoBPnVKt8q9Te Waihou Blue Spring Leslie Road entrance
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zZ53iBbApKyUL7TX7SCHEDULE
6.10am sunrise
8.45am last time to arrive
8.55am introductions
9.00am Hike Start - Jones Landing
12.30-12.45pm Hike Finish (includes a half hour break)
12.45-1.30pm lunch
1.30-2.00pm drive to second hike
2.00pm Hike start - Blue Spring visit
3.00pm Hike finish
3.10pm depart for Auckland
5.10pm arrive Auckland
7.59pm sunsetLOCAL INFORMATION
https://www.engineeringnz.org/programmes/heritage/engineering-heritage-records/power-stations/arapuni-power-station-and-dam/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arapuni_Power_Station
The Power of the River Film 1947 from Archives New Zealand takes you back to a time that Arapuni was constructed. On Youtube
https://youtu.be/GmY52eeM2ZM?si=OoFFX7E2Dac2fP5Ghttps://www.southwaikato.govt.nz/our-district/sport-and-recreation/parks-and-reserves/te-waihou-walkway-blue-spring
The cost for this hike is $5. Please prepay online Moa Outdoors new bank details. I prefer not to manage cash on this one. Thanks in advance for your bank transfer once moved to Going.
Noel Keenan
12-3238-0727203-01
Ref - Cumecs
Amount $5
Your MU nameIf you have enjoyed previous Moa events, please feel free to invite others to attend via Meetup and leave a review.
RSVP QUESTION
1. Have you read the description/disclaimer and are you confident you can complete the hike in the time prescribed? Y/N
2. Staying at Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel and self booking? Y/N
3. Group dinner on Saturday at OHSH? Y/NRSVP opens Sunday 13 September 8.00am.
HOUSEKEEPING
CAR POOLING:
We suggest passengers pay drivers;
Overnighters $70 returnBecause Moa is a small and friendly group, it’s super easy to carpool with us. Our driver members are very happy to bring new people along. Post in the comment area below if you need a lift, include your area and a phone number. The willing driver member will contact you. As organizers, we will also monitor and help out. Please be organized and on time for collection, don't withdraw last minute. Please also don’t expect the driver to go out of their way to collect you. You might have to get to a nearby location on their route.
BRING:
- At least 3L drinking water.
- Lunch or snack food. Plan ahead and consider perishability.
- Suitable footwear for surfaces described.
- Sun & rain protection.
- Bags for wet and dirty footwear & clothing.
- Appropriate clothing for the season and forecasted/possible conditions.
- First-aid items (at least for cuts and scratches).
PREPARATION:
It is important to be well prepared.
Before we meet- As a driver, plan your route
- Know how to get to all meeting places.
- Study hike details.
- Prepare everything you need to bring.
- If you are the driver, have car refueled or recharged ready to go.
- Find and confirm your driver(passengers) whether they go to the pub, if appropriate or going home directly after the event.
HEALTH & SAFETY:
Our hiking activities come with some hazard & risks; our organizers are volunteers. By RSVP'ing you accept full responsibilities for your own safety and that you have read the description and are you confident you can complete the hike in the time prescribed?TURNAROUND
We don't intend to leave people behind. However, at any time on a hike if it is the opinion of the leader that you are struggling to keep with the group, the leader may decide that you are unlikely to be able to complete the hike in the time prescribed. In this case, you may be asked to turn around and make your way back to the car. This decision will not be taken lightly but will be done with the principle of the entire group enjoying their day and everyone completing in a timely and safe manner. Given the distance travelled and investment for attendees, turnaround will happen on the Wait List for this one. This means that if we don't know your ability/fitness, you are likely to be moved to Not Going. If you would like to attend and are a new member please jump in on one of our 3.0 or lower graded events. This is for your safety and benefit of the group. If you are yet to demonstrate your reliability, we may also take this into account.Looking forward to a great day outdoors.
Regards
Moa Outdoors14 attendees
Second Branch River - Puketui Valley
Second Branch River parking, 373 Puketui Valley Road, Hikuai, NZCheck out this awesome spot! Shared with permission from Photographer Jaz Morris.
https://jazmorris.smugmug.com/Rock-Climbing/Rock-Climbing-New-Zealand/Tairua-Crag-2018/i-zZxcfx4/A
Under the early morning shadow of The Pinnacles, Second Branch River holds Tairua Crag, a rhylolite buttress from the Kapowai Caldera that was active up to 9 million years ago. We will see the Crag but we may not go further than the camp. Will decide this on the day.
Tairua Crag is located near the Second Branch River, at the confluence of Camp and Scots stream, within the southern sector of the Coromandel Forest Park.
At approximately 5km long but we expect to take 2.5 to 3 hours hours to reach Tairua Camp near the confluence of Camp Stream and Second Branch River, in the Coromandel Forest Park. The route is on Private Land and is marked with white/grey trail markers and orange/blue/pink tape that are quite frequent the whole way. There is windfall, so we need to exercise caution navigating these, being sure to pick up the markers afterwards. The last third has a few steep sections with fixed lines to help get up/down. The track is somewhat messy due to the January floods (2023) so stay switched on! There is GPS reception. Good swimming spots and views for a walk out on a hot day.
The Pinnacles 773m
Tairua Crag 695m
Second Branch River 300mTHE DIRT
• Time: 5 hours
• Distance: 10-11k
• Elevation gain: up to 600m
• Difficulty: hard
• Terrain: advanced tramping (this is not a DOC route, but this is a relevant comparison) natural track, stream/river crossings, slippery stones, well flagged ROUTE BUT the undergrowth is sparce which means there is not a natural environmental corridor keeping you in the right direction. Every attendee will need to be continually focused on direction as well as tree roots and quite difficult terrain both of which would add about 20% each to the exercise load which ultimately makes today harder than our usual terrain. Not to mention the fixed lines to hang on to whilst you climb and descend a couple of tricky spots and at times slippery clay surface.
• Grade: 3.25 relatively slow to moderate.LOCATIONS
373 Puketui Valley Road
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nVaeNrEYxPWEn9Eu8
Turn right into the paddock toward the river at the cattle bridge - DO NOT DRIVE OVER THE CATTLE BRIDGEREFRESHMENTS
The Red Fox Maramarua
https://maps.app.goo.gl/J4W3UJ1ERTgYbC8RASCHEDULE
9.20am last time to arrive
9.25am introductions
9.30am Hike Start
3.00pm Hike finish
4.00pm refreshments at The Red Fox
5.00pm depart for homeRSVP
Have you read the description/disclaimer and are you confident you can complete the hike in the time prescribed?What is your mobile number? This is a land owner requirement.
Drivers, what is your car rego? This is a land owner requirement.If you do not do this as part of the event or message, you will be moved to Not Going. I won't be accepting these details on the day as there is enough to do on the day.
The cost for this hike is $5. Please pay online Moa Outdoors new bank details or pay the host cash on the day.
Noel Keenan
12-3238-0727203-01If you have enjoyed previous Moa events, please feel free to invite others to attend via Meetup and leave a review.
RSVP QUESTION
Have you read the description/disclaimer and are you confident you can complete the hike in the time prescribed?RSVP opens Wednesday 21st October 5.10pm.
HOUSEKEEPING
CAR POOLING:
We suggest passengers pay drivers $50 return for this one.
Because Moa is a small and friendly group, it’s super easy to carpool with us. Our driver members are very happy to bring new people along. Post in the comment area below if you need a lift, include your area and a phone number. The willing driver member will contact you. As organisers, we will also monitor and help out. Please be organised and on time for collection, dont withdraw last minute. Please also don’t expect the driver to go out of their way to collect you. You might have to get to a nearby location on their route.
BRING:- At least 2-3L drinking water.
- Lunch or snack food.
- Suitable footwear for surfaces described. I suggest boots!
- Sun & rain protection.
- Bags for wet and dirty footwear & clothing.
- Appropriate clothing for the season and forecasted/possible conditions.
- First-aid items (at least for cuts and scratches).
PREPARATION:
It is important to be well prepared.
Before we meet- Provide your mobile number in the rsvp or direct message to Host. This is a land owner access requirement. If you do not do this as part of the event, you will be moved to Not Going. I won't be accepting these details on the day.
- Drivers to provide vehicle plates and passengers names they are taking. I will complete a register prior to arrival that will be left on site. A land owner requirement.
- Know how to get to all meeting places.
- Study hike details.
- Prepare everything you need to bring.
- If you are the driver, have car refueled or recharged ready to go.
- Find and confirm your driver(passengers) whether they go to the pub or going home directly after the event.
TURNAROUND
We don't intend to leave people behind. However, at any time on a hike if it is the opinion of the leader that you are struggling to keep with the group the leader may decide that you are unlikely to be able to complete the hike in the time prescribed. In this case, you may be asked to turn around and make your way back to the car. This decision will not be taken lightly but will be done with the principle of the entire group enjoying their day and everyone completing in a timely and safe manner. This will happen on the Wait List as we can't turnaround people on this event.
HEALTH & SAFETY:
Our hiking activities come with some hazard & risks; our organizers are volunteers. By RSVP'ing you accept full responsibilities for your own safety and that you have read the description and are you confident you can complete the hike in the time prescribed?Looking forward to a great day outdoors.
Regards
Moa Outdoors
11 attendees
Past events
53
