The Rangatira Loop Track starts at the Kāpiti Island visitor shelter at Rangatira Bay. This is an easy walking track of about one and a half km that only climbs about 80 metres. The track takes in some of the Island’s history, with a whaling trypot near the visitor shelter and a historic whare (cottage). The whare was built in the 1870s and is the oldest surviving building on the Island. In 1906, it was repaired and then used by Richard Henry, the pioneer of transferring endangered species to more remote islands. The loop is also a good place to take a very slow pace with a focus on bird watching.
Before you head out on the loop, a ranger/guide welcomes all visitors with an excellent introductory kōrero (talk) about the island and an explanation of island tikanga (etiquette) and the hīkoi (walking) options. For a day trip, visitors get five and a half hours to complete the walks. This is plenty of time to walk the south side of the Rangatira Loop Track to connect with the Trig Track, hike up to the Wilkinson Track and have lunch on the peak, Tuteremoana. Return to the Wilkinson Track to complete the loop.
