Last updated November 2026
Maggie’s Way (Te Ara o Matareta) is a walkers-only pathway in Taradale that joins the historic site of Ōtātara Pā to Kent Terrace, about 8 km from Napier city centre. Hawke’s Bay Tourism puts it at roughly 3.5 km and describes a quiet walk for all fitness levels, winding under mature trees over rolling hills.
Napier City Council lists it as part of the Rotary Pathways Trust network in Taradale, built in stages after the first piece opened at the pā site.
The later sections link Churchill Drive, Hetley Crescent, Dolbel Reserve and Puketapu Road, and the last stage meets the path from Kent Terrace to Tironui Drive near Sugar Loaf Reserve. Dogs must be on a leash, and the walk can be done any time of year.
Practical Information
- Ends
- Ōtātara Pā and Kent Terrace, Taradale (Hawke’s Bay Tourism lists 89 Kent Terrace)
- Distance from the city
- About 8 km from Napier (Kent Terrace end)
- Track length
- About 3.5 km
- Suits
- All fitness levels, according to Hawke’s Bay Tourism
- Dogs
- Dogs on a leash
- Bikes
- No, walkers only
- Route
- Ōtātara Pā, Churchill Drive, Hetley Crescent, Dolbel Reserve, Puketapu Road, then the Kent Terrace to Tironui Drive path
- Managed by
- Napier City Council, funded by the Rotary Pathways Trust
- Status
- Check Napier City Council’s paths and walkways pages before you go.
About Maggie’s Way (Te Ara o Matareta)
Maggie’s Way is less a single track than a chain of connected sections that together tie Taradale’s pathway network to the historic reserve at Ōtātara Pā.
Starting at Ōtātara Pā, it runs past Churchill Drive and Hetley Crescent, reaches Dolbel Reserve, follows Puketapu Road and finishes on the path between Kent Terrace and Tironui Drive. The council describes the finished result as a network of pathways from Ōtātara Pā through to Kent Terrace.
Hawke’s Bay Tourism calls it a beautiful scenic track and suggests stopping now and then to take in the scenery and look out for wildlife. The path winds beneath mature trees and over rolling hills, with a variety of scenery along the way.
Because it is open to walkers only, there are no bikes to share it with. You can walk a single section or string several together.
No walking time is published, so plan around the roughly 3.5 km length and your own pace.
The Route, Section by Section
Napier City Council sets out how the pathway grew. The first piece of track, from the historic pā site, opened in 2016. Further sections followed:
- Churchill Drive to Hetley Crescent: the council’s Riverside to Ridgetop Walk also links these two streets, by the zigzag path down Otatara Hillside Reserve.
- Through to Dolbel Reserve: the pathway carries on into Dolbel Reserve.
- Puketapu Road: a section runs along Puketapu Road.
- Kent Terrace to Tironui Drive: the final stage joins the existing path between Kent Terrace and Tironui Drive, close to Sugar Loaf Reserve.
You can join at any of these points, which makes it easy to walk just the part that suits you. At the Ōtātara Pā end, the council’s walk notes place the signposted entrance to Otatara Reserve on Springfield Road.
Who Was Maggie?
The pathway carries the name of Margaret, the late wife of Basil McCoward. His generous bequest to the Rotary Pathways Trust fully funded the project, and the council’s project page lists a budget of $600,000 from the trust. Hawke’s Bay Tourism credits that funding with kick-starting the walk.
The council’s page also records that Rotary clubs planned further tree planting in the area once the extension was finished.
Linking Walks in Taradale
Maggie’s Way links into the wider Taradale pathways network, so it pairs well with other council walks nearby. The Riverside to Ridgetop Walk (3.9 km, graded Medium to Hard by the council) starts at Riverside Park opposite the Eastern Institute of Technology campus and climbs through Otatara Reserve before following the Churchill Drive footpath and the zigzag path down to Hetley Crescent.
Halliwells Walk (2.0 km, Medium to Hard) starts off Church Road and crosses Sugar Loaf to Lance Leikis Reserve and Tironui Drive, where the path from Kent Terrace that Maggie’s Way joins also reaches.
Where to Learn More
Napier City Council: Otatara-Dolbel Reserve pathway extension: how Maggie’s Way was built in sections from Ōtātara Pā to Kent Terrace, and who funded it.
Napier City Council: Taradale paths and walkways: route notes, distances and grades for the Riverside to Ridgetop, Halliwells and other Taradale walks.
Hawke’s Bay Tourism: Maggie’s Way: length, dog rules and what to expect on the walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Maggie’s Way?
Hawke’s Bay Tourism gives it as roughly 3.5 km, linking the Taradale pathways network to Ōtātara Pā.
Where does Maggie’s Way start?
It begins at Ōtātara Pā and ends at Kent Terrace in Taradale. Hawke’s Bay Tourism lists its location as 89 Kent Terrace, and you can also join at Churchill Drive, Hetley Crescent, Dolbel Reserve or Puketapu Road.
Is Maggie’s Way hard?
Hawke’s Bay Tourism describes it as a quiet walk for all fitness levels, and says it winds under mature trees over rolling hills.
Can I take my dog on Maggie’s Way?
Yes, dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.
Can I cycle Maggie’s Way?
No. The walkway is open to walkers only.
What is the walk’s Māori name?
Te Ara o Matareta is the name Napier City Council and Hawke’s Bay Tourism use alongside Maggie’s Way. The English name honours Margaret, the late wife of Basil McCoward, whose bequest funded the pathway.
Is Maggie’s Way open?
Check Napier City Council’s paths and walkways pages before you go for any current notices.
When is the best time to walk it?
Hawke’s Bay Tourism says it can be enjoyed any time of year.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.