Council adopted a new plan in September 2025.
Kahuterawa Reserve, Arapuke Forest Park and the Sledge Track are some of the best places to get outdoors in Palmerston North – whether you’re out for a walk in the bush, biking down a trail, or just relaxing with a picnic.
The previous outdoor recreation plan for this area was almost 20 years old. It was time for a refresh!
In late 2024 we asked you what you'd like to see in the updated plan. Then we went ahead and drafted it, before a final round of community consultation.
Councillors adopted the updated reserve management plan in September 2025.
What’s in the plan?
This plan covers the wider Kahuterawa area, including:
- Kahuterawa Reserve
- Arapuke Forest Park
- The Sledge Track and Back Track
- Gordon Kear Forest
- Hardings Park.
These spots are much-loved by locals and visitors alike – and over the years, the way we use them has changed. There are more mountain bikers, more walkers, more hunters, and more families heading out for a day in nature.
The updated plan looks at how we manage outdoor activities like:
- mountain and trail biking
- hunting
- walking and running
- swimming
- picnicking
- camping and campfires
- fishing.
It also includes how we care for the land and water, with policies for:
- pest control
- biodiversity
- landscaping.
We want to make sure these outdoor spaces work for everyone – visitors, locals, residents nearby, schools, clubs, families, and the next generation of adventurers. We’ve simplified the original document to make it easier to read, while recognising that the current plan has served the area well. We plan to continue managing the park much as we have been, building on what’s already working.