F&B MANAWATŪ APRIL 2025 TRIP REPORT

In April F&B members from both Manawatū branch and Horowhenua branch experienced this rare coastal forest remnant.

Before starting the exploration of the bush, we were told about Māori history which gave us a greater appreciation for how Europeans have completely modified the previous wetland environment that had been both the home and larder of the local iwi.

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F&B MANAWATŪ APRIL 2025 TRIP TO NGĀWAKAHIAMOE BUSH
Sunday 27th April, 2025

On Sunday 27 April, Heather Heron-Speirs guided 30 interested participants around her family trust protected bush Ngawakahiamoe.

Ngāwakahiamoe Bush lies on sand dune and swamp land between Levin and Foxton. It is of rare size as a viable remnant of ‘critically threatened’ Kahikatea-Pukatealowland forest ecosystem (WF8). It is recognised as a ‘high priority site’ by Horizons Regional Council. Ngāwakahiamoe has many trees that are hundreds of years old, and is thought to have the best Pukatea stand In Horizons Regional Councilarea.

The dunes had some mature Matai, Rewarewa, Kanuka, and Rimu, but were extensively felled a century ago. The Trust is now restoring the Totara and other species, with plants grown mostly by Forest & Bird Horowhenua. Re-establishing bush on dunes is hard work.

Rosemary Cullen
F&B Manawatū Trip Coordinator