Established in 2004, Waiwhakareke aims to recreate the diverse ecosystems that once thrived in the Hamilton Basin. Spanning 65.5 hectares, Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park invites you to explore its restored wetlands and lowland forests. Once farmland, Waiwhakareke now offers visitors a journey through New Zealand's pre-European landscapes. Located just on the outskirts of Hamilton, the park is best accessed from Te Kaaroro Nature Precinct, right across from Hamilton Zoo. 

Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park is dedicated to restoring and preserving the rich ecological heritage of the Hamilton Basin. As a 'living museum,' the park showcases the original ecosystem diversity that once flourished in the Waikato region. From its inception, the vision for Waiwhakareke has been to transform farmland into a self-sustaining sanctuary that mirrors the historical landscape of the area. 

The park features a diverse array of ecosystems, including a peat lake and wetland areas, with ongoing native plant restoration efforts. Lake Waiwhakareke, a key feature of the park, is being managed to recreate the aquatic environment of a traditional Waikato peat lake. Restoration work has revitalised the lake and expanded native plantings across the surrounding area. The rate of restoration is about 2 hectares a year. 

Since 2003, hundreds of thousands of native plants have been planted in the park by council staff and passionate volunteers. These plants have been Eco-sourced which means that the plants are grown from seeds collected here in Hamilton and grown in the Hamilton City Council nursery at Hamilton Gardens. Eco-sourcing helps to ensure that the seedlings we grow are suited for our habitat and are resilient in Hamilton's climate.