East Harbour Regional Park
East Harbour Regional Park is a regional park stretching from Baring Head along the east side of the Wellington Harbour along the east side of Eastbourne. It is located in Lower Hutt City, in the Wellington Region of New Zealand's North Island. The park is operated by Wellington Regional Council. Geography The park covers the bush-clad hills between Eastbourne and Wainuiomata, from near sea level to up to (Lowry). Several tracks, some along ridges and one into the valley of Butterfly Creek, connect the entrances on the Wellington Harbour side and the entrances on the Wainuiomata side. The southern portion of the park includes the Kohangatera and Kohangapiripiri lakes. History Local Māori occupied the area before European settlement, with a network of routes connecting settlements along the eastern harbour coast. Te Atiawa were continuing to visit the area for seasonal fishing and berry-picking when the New Zealand Company began organised European settlement in the region in 1839, and were continuing to occupy the area late into the 19th century. Days Bay became popular for picnics and walking from the 1890s. Tracks were built in the area under a Great Depression work scheme, making the Butterfly Creek picnic area more popular