Kitekite Falls, Multi-tiered waterfall in Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, New Zealand
Kitekite Falls is a three-tiered waterfall in the Waitakere Ranges that drops 40 meters total, finishing in a large pool. The rocks around the base stay wet and covered with moss, creating a moist environment throughout the year.
The area went through kauri logging from 1910 to 1921, when all the mature trees were cut down. The forest has been slowly recovering since then, showing how nature rebuilds itself over time.
The name comes from "Ketekete," a clicking sound traditionally used before ambushes, according to Te Kawerau ā Maki elders. This connection to Māori history remains woven into how the place is experienced by visitors today.
The walk to reach the falls is a track of about 3 kilometers with steep steps and earth sections through the forest. The ground can get slippery after rain, so sturdy footwear is important.
Longfin eels make their home in the rocks at the base of the falls and are often spotted there. Rare moss species grow on the wet stones and add to the special plant life of this spot.
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