About the ARC

The Auckland Regional Council is a peculiar thing.  It is an authority that has assets throughout the region, but it doesn't have any real power to tell local or city councils what to do. 

ARC Councillors are elected during local council elections, but each area only gets to choose a few councillors (so there is still a 'local' element to the council).  The ARC is funded by rates which ratepayers pay on top of local council rates. 

 

Horse Riding in ARC Parks

Being regional you might think that at least here is one body that you can deal with simply, where-ever you live.  Think again.  There is no single permit system within ARC parks, there is no consistency about how parks are managed and there is no single person or 'thing' you can speak to about riding in parks.  The 0800 call centre will generally just pass you on to the rangers for each area.

Sadly the ARC website and other literature are also confusing and sometimes provide conflicting information.  Some parks have free casual riding, some are free but you have to get a permit and some you have to pay for a permit. 

 

Regional Parks you can ride in:

  • Awhitu  - Free, need gate combination
  • Ambury - Free, no permit but not worth bothering.
  • Duder - Free, permit required (although not necessary since there is no gate)
  • Hunua - Free, permit required and you must phone the ranger before each ride to find out the gate combination.
  • Muriwai  - Free, no permit required*. The ARC park is the Five Mile Strip behind the dunes.

* Woodhill Forest DOES require a permit (registration with WFEP).

  •  Waiheke Island - Free, no permit required
  • Waitakere Regional Park - the following parts of Waitakere allow horse riding.

 

ARC News

The ARC are currently working through a horse riding strategy process.  They have already held a public workshop and there have been a number of improvements to the website, including an activity finder.

ARC Horse Riding Strategy Milestones:

  • July 2007 - Workshop
  • Sept-Nov 2007 - Review and Report on current opportunities and needs
  • May 2008 - ARC Issues and Options paper feedback
  • Aug 2008 - Parks and Heritage Committee

 

Visit the Auckland Regional Council Official Website

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