...and a further Waiheke reserve

Forest and Bird, Issue 280, 1 May 1996, Page 13

...and a further Waiheke reserve

THE BUSY Hauraki Islands branch has succeeded in negotiating the purchase of another new reserve on Waiheke Island. Known as the Kauakarau Bay Forest, the reserve dominates the skyline at Omiha and consists of old-growth northern coastal broadleaf forest on the Te Whau Peninsula. Identified as a site of ecological significance by DoC, its diverse plant life is dominated by taraire, tawa, puriri, kohekohe, kowhai and mamangi. It is the largest and oldest stand of forest in western Waiheke. Many of the canopy trees are over 150 years old, with some estimated to be up to 400 years old. Members of the branch have been concerned about the survival of the forest since Te Whau Peninsula was sold to a property developer in 1982. The concern took on a greater

urgency ten years ago, when a proposal arose to subdivide the peninsula. Though the outer parts of the forest were vested in reserve, the two central lots were put on the market. Initial funding for the $220,000 deal that purchased the central sections of the forest was put up by the Forest Heritage Fund, followed by generous contributions from the ASB Charitable Trust, Fullers Auckland, Auckland City Council and the Auckland Regional Council. Final funding for the purchase came from the Lottery Grants Board. The branch has gifted the land

to Auckland City Council in order to create a contiguous 15hectare reserve.