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Urban-Rural
There are many places in the Bay of Plenty where nature is close to our homes.
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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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Keith and Takiko I Anson gifted the land for the reserve to the QEII National Trust in 1987,
with the intention that it be transformed from farmland to native bush for the enjoyment of
the public. The Waikaraka Stream has been dammed to create Lake Taki and extensive
native flora plantings have produced a pleasant spot for picnics and walks.
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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 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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The dominant feature of the Tauranga district, Mauao rises 232m above sea level at the Mount Maunganui side of the entrance to Tauranga Harbour. Mauao has been of great importance to local Maori for more than six centuries and habitation terraces, storage pits, defence
trenching, bank systems and shell middens are still visible. The British Militia made
military use of Mauao in colonial days. Traces of their occupation are visible around the
base track.
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The park borders Lake McLaren, formed behind a dam built for hydro-electricity generation.
The landscape includes parkland and native bush. McLaren Falls has a fine botanical collection
of trees and a range of birdlife, including the North Island brown kiwi, North Island robin
and long-tailed cuckoo.The park has accommodation, with camping on any open, grassed area, except Cherry Bay,and three hostels. Trout fishing is permitted year round in the lake and nearby Ruahihi Canal
with a licence. An animal park adjoins McLaren Falls Park.
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Tiny, rugged Moturiki Island offers spectacular geyser-like displays from the Blow Hole at the
seaward end when big seas are running. The deep water beneath the island rocky shore
provides good fishing. Just across Marine Parade is Mount Drury, whose caves were used by
early Maori for burials. Terraces on the north-eastern slopes are evidence of Maori occupation.
The aerials on top of the hill are used by the Port of Tauranga watch office for communication
with ships.
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The Papamoa Hills Regional Park is a unique mix of pa sites, stands of native forest and farmland. It offers outstanding views over the Bay of Plenty coastline. The area is rich in Maori history and ancestral association.
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Varied sections of walkway around Rotorua take in areas of historical, cultural, scenic and
scientific interest. Much of the landscape in Kuirau Park and along the Motutara and Te
Arikiroa sections of lakeside walk has been shaped by geothermal activity. The entire
Rotorua City Walkway measures 26km, broken into eight shorter sections.
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The coastal city of Tauranga has park, estuary and foreshore walks that offer a varied range
of views and activities for users of all ages.
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Scenic beauty and history are features of the walkway, beside the upper reaches of the Waihou River. The river water is clear and pure, with an intense blue colour. Many springs and tributaries feed the river. The Blue Spring is internationally acclaimed. Its clear, blue-green water flows from the spring at 42 cubic metres (9240 gallons) per minute. The water is sold in bottled form around New Zealand and supplies the town of Putaruru without treatment.
Discover it... Love it... Live it...
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Known to the locals simply as The Redwoods, the beautiful Whakarewarewa Forest is a five-minute drive from Rotorua city centre. The most popular part of the forest available for recreational use is the Tokorangi Triangle. It encompasses 288 hectares of native and exotic trees adjoining the renowned Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, providing an exquisite
visual backdrop to Rotorua.
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Tuapiro Point is a small sandspit opposite the northern entrance to Tauranga Harbour.
The end of the sandspit has great views of the harbour and provides a resting place for
estuary wildlife.
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The Uretara Landing on the banks of the Uretara Stream played an important part in the
establishment of Katikati, when Tauranga Harbour and its waterways were the most
practical transport routes for people and goods. A mural painted by Roy Cunliffe on a wall
next to the Bank of New Zealand in Katikati main street shows the landing in earlier
times, around 1900.
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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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