Pauanui Summit Loop

From the carpark head across the grass to where you should be able to see the trail signs. Start climbing - early on there is a trail split, the sign is missing from the posts at the intersection, but take the right branch up the hill onto the more technical trail. Then you just follow this trail to the top. There are quite a few 'options' on the way up where you can save distance and go up more steeply. I was not trying to save distance, so this route is the longer version. There are lots of rocks and I would imagine it gets pretty muddy in winter.

Once you reach the top signs, head right to the trig, then have a seat, take some pics of the fabulous views. Make sure you check out the trail behind the seats - this is short and leads to tha actual trig. Then retrace your steps to the top sign, then head right - not back the way you came - and head down the trail. This is more of a forestry trail down with tree roots, quite a few rocks and lots of turns - still very technical. Eventually the trail will spit you out onto a rocky beach. Rock-hop along the beach to your left until you see the orange triangle sign and follow the trail back to the start.