Residents are working to make a Remuera reserve more like a slice of natural bush with the introduction of native trees.
The plantings are part of a $700,000 plan by the Orakei Local Board for improvements to the Waiatarua Reserve, on Abbotts Way, over the next two years.
Since its formation in 2000, the group has been calling on the council to help improve the reserve.
Waiatarua Reserve Protection Society member Alison Macfarlane says the aim is to turn the reserve into a slice of the Waitakeres or Hunua Ranges that urban residents can enjoy.
“The native trees and any wildlife that it engenders, I think that’s terrific…the main thing is it is accessible,” she says.
“The native trees and any wildlife that it engenders, I think that’s terrific…the main thing is it is accessible,”
PHOTO: Yolanda Thorp
Local board member Kit Parkinson says the board has been consulting with local residents associations and iwi to guide its planning for the reserve.
There are not enough food resources for many native birds, such as kereru.
The group wants to bring more native birdlife into the reserve by bringing additional species of native trees.
The reserve is the largest urban man-made wetland in New Zealand.
Protection Society president Yolanda Thorp says the reserve’s size means it has potential for great ecological significance.
She says an area like the Waiatarua Reserve is important for the community with Auckland becoming more built-up.
“We have people here literally from dawn to dusk, and even before.”
PHOTO: Yolanda Thorp
Weeding is a major problem at the reserve. Thorp says canals that were once open and provided habitat for birds have been weeded out.
“Urban wetlands need to be managed; if you get an oversupply of vegetation you can get an overload of organic contaminants…which would end up in the Orakei Basin.
“Wetlands are one of the best areas for biodiversity…a wonderful
wetland has been created, but we need to make sure it is being
maintained.”
Waiatarua Reserve was redeveloped in 2004, costing the former Auckland City Council $5.9 million.
The project upgraded draining in the reserve. It also set up storm water treatment, reducing pollutants being sent out to the Waitemata Harbour.
Other improvements included a new car park, and work on playgrounds and wetlands in the reserve. Money has been spent on developing an ecological strategy.
Macfarlane says there was disagreement amongst residents on future plans for the reserve, with many unhappy about the council’s decision-making process.
“They were troubled at one stage by a lack of consultation. But these days [the protection society] is getting a lot of cooperation from the council,” she says.
“Nowadays everyone has the same sort of mission for the area, largely due to people like Yolanda who have hung in for the long term and kept the whole thing going.”
January 2009
March 2014
Thorp says weeds are disturbing bird habitat at the reserve. PHOTO: Bryan Peryer
The reserve is a central part of the local community, and is also important for greater Auckland, with groups such as walkers and schools coming to enjoy what has become known as the city’s “ecological gem”.
The local board plans to build walkways and linkages to the reserve between local parks across Kohimarama, Ellerslie and Stonefields. They also want to create a new car park at the former Abbotts Way stockyard.
A plan commissioned by the former Eastern Bays Community Board in 2010 found six species of native bird found in the East Auckland area were not at the reserve. It recommended the total area of forest at Waiatarua be increased.
According to the plan, use of poison bait and predator traps could be an option to prevent negative effects of animals in the reserve.
The plan has guided improvements to the reserve over the past five years, with long-term actions suggested for the future.
PHOTO: Yolanda Thorp
The above infographic was sourced from Waiatarua Reserve restoration suggestions plan, commisioned by the former Eastern Bays Community Board.
PHOTO: Yolanda Thorp