It's all pretty simple
1. Download and print your Visit Ticket
The Visit Ticket will help you keep track of the maunga you have been to. Once your visit is complete, snip, hole punch, or strike out the appropriate location so you remember that maunga has been done.
2. Get to the tihi/summit of the maunga
Get yourself to the top. You may choose to only do from the base of the maunga, or take advantage of the parking near the top. Whatever is comfortable and safe for you.
3. Take a photo and show everyone you made it
Once you're at the top, take a photo and post it in /houndyhelpers on Facebook or Instagram, using the tag #aklgreytheights
4. Clip the tickets and plan your next adventure!
Ka pai e hoa - another one down! Time to clip the ticket and plan which maunga to visit next!
Where to go
There are plenty of high points in Auckland and you'll discover each has its own unique personality. The ones we have included in Greyt Heights are below. Some include hazards that your hound (or you) may not like (notes below) but these can be avoided in most cases:
- Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill (I)
- Maungawhau/Mt Eden (S,M)
- Ōwairaka/Mt Albert (S,I)
- Maungarei/Mt Wellington (I)
- Te Pane o Mataoho/Māngere Mountain (S)
- Takarunga/Mt Victoria
- Maungauika/North Head
- Te Tātua a Riukiuta/Big King (S)
- Puketāpapa/Mt Roskill
- Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson
- Te Kōpuke/Mt Saint John
Detailed information on each maunga, including history and geology, is available from Tūpuna Maunga Authority.
To help plan your visit in more detail, information on the paths themselves can be found through Auckland Council.
Key: S: Stairs | M: Steel mesh walkways | I: Steep inclines
Some things to remember...
1. Respect the maunga
Please remember that the places in the Greyt Heights challenge include tūpuna maunga which are considered wāhi tapu/sacred sites, so please take extra care to respect the land:
- clean up after your hound and keep them on lead
- take your rubbish with you or dispose appropriately
- stay on walkways and observe all directional signs
2. Look after yourself and your hound
Dress for the weather: plenty of water, hats, and sunscreen, and rainwear. And don’t forget the 8 second rule - if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws! In warmer months, we recommend walking before 10am or after 4pm.
3. Have fun!
We want this to be a fun experience, just do as much as you want but don’t push yourself further than you ought to.
4. Don’t forget to take photos
We’d all love to see how your getting on, so share those photos of your hound at the top of the city to the Houndy Helpers page and your own! You can even use the tag #aklgreytheights
