Private Scenic Reserve and Wildlife Refuge Being Developed near New Plymouth

Forest and Bird, Issue 171, 1 February 1969, Page 11

Private Scenic Reserve and Wildlife Refuge Being Developed near New Plymouth

By

ALAN FIELDING

FOR the purposes of conservation, research, education, and the wise management and utilisation of ' its natural resources, New Zealand has developed a system of refuges, reserves, sanctuaries, parks, and forests. One such area, which is privately owned, is Te-Wahi-o-Marumaru (The Place of Refuge), of 105 acres, situated on Upper Mangorei Road, 11 miles from New Plymouth. It is largely covered in mature podocarp-hardwood forest and dissected by a number of rocky streams that cascade through miniature gorges. It is this “place of refuge” that Taranaki members are working on to create a private scenic reserve and wildlife refuge. It lies very near to the top of the road, and close to the boundary of Egmont National Park’s Pouakai Range. From the entrance on a fine day one can see the country from Egmont’s summit to Paritutu Rock and from the Kaitake Range to the Kawhia coastline. The land, with an altitude about 1,400 ft, is gently sloping; through it flows the Pukekotahuna Stream, which further down joins the well-known Te Henui. Despite the altitude, high rainfall, and - very occasional light sprinklings of snow, the area enjoys much fine, warm weather. Typical Egmont Forest The climate is clearly reflected in the vegetation. This is typical Egmont forest, consisting of Podocarpus (in particular totara, matai, and miro), Dacrydium (in particular rimu), and a number of associated hardwood or broad-leaf species (among which are kamahi, rata, mahoe, hinau, tawa, black maire, toro, and tree ferns). The form of the forest in this area is established by the dominance of rimu and rata. Less conspicuous, perhaps, but more numerous are the heavy growths of liverworts, mosses, and ground ferns

(especially crown fern, kidney fern, and filmy fern), and kiekie. This forest supports a considerable fauna. Not at all welcome, but present in large numbers, are the opossums. In much smaller numbers are pigs, goats, cats, weasels, hedgehogs, and rats and various common exotic birds. , Indigenous species of birds include kereru, tui, korimako, piwakawaka, miromiro, riroriro, titi-pounamu, koekoea (long-tailed cuckoo), pipiwharauroa (shining cuckoo), popokatea (whitehead), tauhou, ruru, kahu, kotare, pihoihoi, and kiwi (North Island). The presence of the pekapeka (long-tailed bat) is suspected. Along the stream banks can be seen numerous glowworms, and in these streams are freshwater crayfish. Both the native kokopu and the introduced brown trout live here with the native long-finned eel. . On one side of the property, near the entrance to the forest, is about 2)4 acres of pasture. A little less than half this is low lying and slightly swampy and here we are establishing a water-fowl habitat. A bulldozer has enlarged- the basin to give almost an acre of open water. Surrounding this will- be a large meadow of grasses, sedges, and reeds, interspersed with flax, cabbage tree, kahikatea, pukatea, and the like. Eventually the swamp and lake should provide feeding and nesting places for many indigenous aquatic birds, such as the pukeko, coot, shag, heron, stilt, rail, crake, bittern, duck, teal, and fernbird. Native Plant Nursery A small area adjacent to swamp is to be planted up soon. Any seeds of plants native to Taranaki can be used- for this purpose, and any contributions would be extremely welcome. It is also planned to establish a

small native plant nursery, to be used as the Taranaki Branch’s source of native flora for various planting projects. Other plans for the reserve include full fencing, erection of a residence, establishment of forest aviaries, and the liberation of some less common species. As the venture is entirely private, these additions are expected to take a long time. For entry to Te-Wahi-o-Marumaru members may apply to the owner at 77 Belt Road, New Plymouth.

Loans for Ruapehu Lodge Repaid

The net earnings of the Ruapehu Lodge at 31 December 1968 were sufficient to repay interest-free loans advanced to the Society toward the cost of construction of the lodge. Mrs Du Pont again drew the numbers. The following were successful in the ballot: Z $ Mr and Mrs Fooks . . . . 100 Mr and Mrs J. H. Holt . . 50 Miss J. Coles . . . . . . . . 20 Mr D. M. Willis . . . . . . 50 Mr E. E. Williamson . . . . . . 40 Mr N. Ginn (second) . . . . 100 Miss Izard . . . . . . . . 200 Messrs J. H. and A. G. Taylor . . 100 Mrs A. A. Greville . . . . . . 40 Miss S. Green Price . . . . . . 10 Miss G. A. Craston . . . . . . 50 Mrs I. E. Coulter . . . . . . 20 Mrs D. S. Green .... ... 20 Miss N. P. Turner . . . . 20 Wanganui Tramping Club . . . . 20 Mrs D. Mcßae . . . . . . . . 100 Hugh and Beverley Price . . . . 10 Miss J. M. Johnson . . . . ... 10 Miss S. G. Lynch . . . . 20 Mrs D. E. Weston . . . . x . . 20 Miss M. W. Young . . . . . . 80 Mr J. R. Roberts . . . . . . 40 Mr -W. J. Burns . . . . . . 10 1,130 The Executive acknowledges with grateful thanks the help given by these members, most of whom also made donations to the fund.

Land Bought for Abel Tasman National Park

Nearly 800 acres of land adjoining Abel Tasman National Park has been bought by the Government, the Minister of Lands, Mr Duncan Maclntyre, announced recently. “The purchase includes the land which was 'sold’ earlier this year to an American buyer,” said Mr Maclntyre. “When the Government learned recently that the buyer could not complete the purchase, it renewed negotiations and has succeeded in buying not only most of the land previously up for sale, but also the Anchorage, one of the finest beaches on the , coast. - “We now have in public ownership the 19 acres of Tonga Island, beach areas in Tonga Roadstead and Awaroa Inlet, and coastal features such as Shag Harbour and Reef Point. “Bringing this land into the park will protect the popular coastal track system which links the road end at Marahau, near Kaiteriteri, with the northern road terminal at Totaranui. Furthermore, all islands, inlets, rocks, and reefs within 1% miles of the coast will now be within the park. .' Block at Torrent Bay “The most valuable of the eight areas in the purchase is a block of 40 acres in Torrent Bay at the Anchorage,” Mr Maclntyre said. “This land links the main national park area with other park lands near Anchor Bay and Te Karetu Point, close to where the French explorer Dumont d’Urville anchored in 1827. “Two areas totalling 173 acres are on the Awaroa Inlet. “Four of the other areas form a compact block of 464 acres which includes Tonga Swamp, with a beach frontage to the Tonga Roadstead, Tonga Hill, Reef Point, and Shag Harbour. “The remaining block of 90 acres is in an isolated area, on Awaroa Hill. Probably only part of this, the part in forest, is suitable for inclusion in the park.” The Minister added that the vendor, Miss R. Z. R. Richardson, of Nelson, was a granddaughter of Dr Ralph Richardson, a pioneer who took up land at Torrent Bay in 1857.