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Location - Whakatane
Walks with in half an hours drive of Whakatane |
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Urban-Rural |
 White Pine Bush
The 4.5ha reserve contains a remnant of superb
kahikatea (white pine) forest that once occupied the fringes of the extensive wetland in the area.
The reserve has huge kahikatea, dwarfing the tawa and pukatea that provide most of the
remaing tree cover. Nikau palms are also an attraction. Hanging vines, shrubs and ferns
proliferate under the tree canopy, providing habitat for native birds including tui, kereru
(native pigeons), fantails, bellbirds, silver-eyes,grey warblers and ruru (morepork).
The Crown bought White Pine Bush in 1925. Other fine stands of kahikatea in the area were
felled for timber till the supply ran out in 1937.Kahikatea was in demand for such uses as
butter boxes for the export trade, because it did not splinter and had no smell, so butter
remained untainted.
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Hukutaia Domain
The 5ha domain contains one of the finest collections of native flora, with 80 species of native trees, shrubs, ferns and grasses, plus several hundred other native species introduced from elsewhere. Many are rare or endangered.The domain has magnificent forest settings,parkland, rock gardens and many walks.In the domain is an ancient burial tree,“Taketakerau”. It is a puriri tree, about 22m around, over 23m high and estimated to be over 2000 years old. Hollow burial trees suchas Taketakerau were used by Maori as the last resting place for the bones of important people.A local found bones in the tree while sheltering from a storm in 1913. The bones have been removed and the tapu lifted.
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Kawerau Town Walks
Kawerau, a town of 7000 people on the Tarawera River, was established in the 1950s. Various walks provide a variety of landscapes, including views of the river and the town.
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Latham Hill Track
Latham Hill Track starts in farmland and takes in scrub, native bush and several old Maori pa
sites. Quiet observation in the bush will often reveal bird species including tui, bellbirds, kereru
(native pigeons) and fantails. The track ends at a trig station with views of the ranges and
Rangitaiki Plains.The Awakeri Hot Springs thermally heated pools are about 500m from the
track entrance,for a swim to end the walk.
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Whirinaki Forest |
White Pine Bush
The 4.5ha reserve contains a remnant of superb
kahikatea (white pine) forest that once occupied the fringes of the extensive wetland in the area.
The reserve has huge kahikatea, dwarfing the tawa and pukatea that provide most of the
remaing tree cover. Nikau palms are also an attraction. Hanging vines, shrubs and ferns
proliferate under the tree canopy, providing habitat for native birds including tui, kereru
(native pigeons), fantails, bellbirds, silver-eyes,grey warblers and ruru (morepork).
The Crown bought White Pine Bush in 1925. Other fine stands of kahikatea in the area were
felled for timber till the supply ran out in 1937.Kahikatea was in demand for such uses as
butter boxes for the export trade, because it did not splinter and had no smell, so butter
remained untainted.
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Coastal |
The Nga Tapuwae O Toi Walkway (Ohope Scenic Reserve)
Translated as ‘the footprints of Toi the 16 kilometres of walkways on the outskirts of
Whakatane are accessible to most people,regardless of fitness, because they can be walked
in sections or as one round trip. Nga Tapuwae o Toi visits three major scenic reserves and a
historic reserve. The walkway passes through native and exotic forest, and along coastline
and riverbank.In Ngati Awa oral tradition Toi was a great chief,descendant of the legendary
voyager Tiwakawaka and founder of a great tribe. The walkway visits Toi stronghold
Kapu-te-rangi overlooking Whakatane. The walkway crosses Kohi Point Scenic Reserve,
Ohope Beach, travels through the Ohope Scenic Reserve pohutukawa forest, across remnants
of native forest to the regenerating flora of Mokorua Bush Scenic Reserve.
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