The Waitakere Ranges are 30,000 hectares of bush-covered hills to the west of Auckland, North Island, New Zealand that reach the black sand beaches of the wild west coast and the Manukau harbour. Rainforested peaks of over 300m high rise then descend both to the eastern foothills bordering the suburbs of Auckland city, and also to the coastal villages along the Manukau Harbour and Auckland’s wild west coast beaches.
Until 150 years ago the Ranges were dense stands of full virgin forest that had stood for thousands of years. By the end of the 19th century, in less than 50 years, the forest was clear felled for timber leaving the landscape devastated. Today the Ranges are recovering. Sixty percent of the Ranges are contained in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. The rest is in private ownership

The Society aims to protect and conserve the natural environment in the Waitakere Ranges as a remarkable place of high value, for its ecosystems, for the beauty of its rugged landscape, its ocean and harbour shores and for its native plant and animal life, for its own sake, for its value to people and for the generations to come.
The Society aims to provide an unequivocal voice speaking for this area of exceptional natural heritage, to raise awareness through education, research, publication and promotion of the importance and the value of the Waitakere Ranges to New Zealand’s environmental heritage preservation and well being.
The Society opposes any scheme or activity which might significantly adversely affect the natural ecosystems and landscape of the Waitakere Ranges.

Support us and be part of protecting this region’s outstanding natural landscape.
By supporting us you will be actively helping provide resources to educate, inform and when necessary take legal action on key issues affecting the Waitakere Ranges. The most effective way to help protect the Waitakere Ranges is to Join the Society . As a member you will receive a quarterly newsletter and be kept informed on the latest news affecting the Ranges. Occasionally we may suggest that members write a letter or a submission on a specific issue. You could also donate or become a sponsor. And if you’d just like to know what we’re doing you could join our Facebook Group. Visit our Online shop.