Aorangi Forest Park is a park in Maungaraki, Lower Hutt, with a Google rating of 4.5.
A forest park is best approached as time in the bush rather than a casual stroll, so it pays to know the track you plan to take and roughly how long it will take. Bush weather around Wellington changes quickly, and forest can be damp and cool even on a fine day, so waterproofs, sturdy shoes and water are sensible. Regulars know that tracks can be slippery or muddy after rain, and that it is wise to turn back rather than push on if conditions worsen. Tell someone your plans, check track information from the Department of Conservation beforehand, and allow time to finish before dark. Take out everything you bring in.
For walkers in Maungaraki and around Lower Hutt, Aorangi Forest Park is a well-rated place to get into the bush close to home.