Kennedy Park

Site Information

Kennedy Park is located between Campbell Bay and Castor Bay on the East Coast of Auckland.  Access is off Beach road, Castor Bay.

The actual launch area is 150m to the South of the parking area. For most paragliders launch takes place behind a combination locked gate although there is a bowl in front of the gate if the wind is strong.

If it is necessary to open the gate to launch please have someone pull it shut afterwards or have a person to stop the general public walking through. (This was requested by the council when the gate was installed for our use). 

The site has a gate with combination lock.  If you unlock it, please ensure it is securely locked before you leave the site or we may loose access.

Kennedy Park Staircase

The stairs to the beach were damaged in cyclone Debbie in April 2017 and were closed.  The repair work started in March 2019 and was completed in June 2019, together with work on erosion control and cliff stability.
The stairs have again been damaged by cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. No date is given for when the stairs will be fixed.
There is no direct access from the beach back up now. The the long way around, via the beach is still possible.

​Site Type

Coastal.

Landing

Hang Gliding

The normal HG landing is on Milford Beach.

Paragliding

For PGs, the beach below is the safest option, tides permitting.

Top landing in clear space between Pohutakawa trees is relatively easy, but care must be taken not to stray too far back from the cliff. 

Do no go back into the area where the grassy slope drops away as several people have been dumped in this spot.

Weather and Wind Direction

East, North East

Mandatory Notices

The gate must be left locked.

Site Radio Channel

Channel 20 - 476.900MHz

Restrictions

Hang Gliding

HG Intermediate

Paragliding

PG2 + 30 hours

Cautions

Several paraglider pilots have flown from this site direct to Auckland Hospital compliments of the Westpac Rescue Service helicopter, mostly as a result of attempting top landings.  Ask local pilots for advice before attempting top landings.

Care should be taken, particularly on light wind days, scratching close to the trees as it is very easy to catch a tip line.

Between mid and high tide there are very few landing options on the beach.

Particular care should be taken in top landing behind the gate; seek local regular pilot's opinions on the day.

In the event of wind increasing whilst flying this site there are no alternative landing options, except a long glide to Milford beach (thr normal landing area for hang gliders).

Airspace

This site is located within VFR Transit lane T159 Whangaparaoa with a height restriction of 1200 ft A.S.L.
It is also on the edge of the Whenuapai Mandatory Broadcast Zone. Height limit within this MBZ is 2500ft ASL. This means you cannot fly inland of cliffs/beach unless you are operating with an airband radio.

Access Conditions

You will need to know the gate code.   Please ensure it is locked afterwards.

Site Monitor

Jeff Ripley Ph: Mob 027 288 8818, W 09 479 2909 

Notes

None.

Site Achievements

Many have flown to Murray's Bay and back when the wind direction is ENE.