North Shore Forest & Bird Tuff Crater Restoration Project
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North Shore Forest & Bird’s flagship project “The Tuff Crater Restoration Project” surrounds an extinct volcano in Northcote, a popular residential area on Auckland’s North Shore. Adjoining the northern motorway, it’s highly visible as residents travel over the harbour bridge, commuting to and from the city.
Nth Shore Branch Wins National Forest & Bird Golden Spade Award
North Shore committee members presented with the Golden Spade at F&B conference
Forest & Bird has awarded its Golden Spade planting award to the North Shore branch for its project to restore the Tuff Crater Reserve. In the last year, more than 3000 native trees and other plants have been planted by volunteers from Forest & Bird and the local community. A total of 160 people attended the last community working day. The award was presented to Forest & Bird North Shore branch representatives Richard Hursthouse, Anne Denny and Claire Stevens by Forest & Bird President Barry Wards at the organisation’s annual 2011 conference in Wellington. Richard Hursthouse, the chairman of the branch and one of the leaders of the restoration project says the project is heavily reliant on the support of the community and funders. “With a project like this we are totally reliant on funding, and you have to have the support from a decent group of volunteers, and we have been able to attract good support from local residents".
Our Volunteers
Planting day June 2011
A big “thankyou” to the large number of volunteers who contribute to the project in so many ways, without their hard work and enthusiasm the “Tuff Crater Restoration Project” would still be an impossible dream.
The Millennium Forest
White Faced Heron
Since 2000, branch volunteers have been working with North Shore City Council to plant the bare land on the edge of the northern motorway, immediately north of the estuary. In 2008, once this area was planted with native plants the branch decided to take on the restoration of the entire Tuff Crater reserve.
Our Vision for Tuff Crater
“Tuff Crater reserve is a fine example of a carefully restored natural area. The restoration is led by North Shore Forest and Bird, who are involving the wider community. Invasive weeds are reduced to manageable levels, and effective predator control is helping wildlife to thrive. Expert input is helping to raise awareness of the local ecology. An all weather circuit track allows year round walking, vehicle access for weed control and planting. A pedestrian bridge across the estuary enhances the walking experience”
Map of Tuff Crater
This map contains lots of information about what is happening where with the restoration project link to google map
Restoration plan
The restoration plan divides the reserve into 8 management units (MUs) with each MU is prioritised. Our top priority is maintenance of the Millennium Forest area (MU8). The second priority is the coastal kohekohe forest (MU2)on the southern rim, while the third priority is MU7, the tank sites immediately west of the Millennium Forest. The branch has secured funding for control of weeds in MU2 and 7 including pampas, climbing asparagus, privet and wattle. Volunteers are controlling smaller privet and a huge area of elaeagnus
Restoration Plan PDF
Site plan existing PDF
Planting plan map PDF
Planting plan species lists PDF
Walking Track
Tuff Crater walkway signage
Work on developing and upgrading the track around the crater is ongoing to allow access for recreation, planting and weed control. We have completed 805 metres of track upgrade, constructed wooden steps linking the northern slope down to the lower walkway and the 100m zigzag track is now completed. We eventually would like to see a boardwalk across the estuary at the narrowest point to enable a walking circuit around the entire crater (not possible currently as there is an area adjoining the northern motorway). This is a huge undertaking and will rely on being able to obtain sufficient funding to complete. North Harbour Rotary are working with us on this project and we are grateful for additional funding from Kaipatiki Local Board, the Lion Foundation and ASB Community Trust. There are signboards at 3 main entrances to the walking/cycling track. You’ll find these at the following locations: Below the concrete walkway at end of Warehouse Way beside the Canon headquarters (off Akoranga Drive, Northcote), bottom end of St Peters St. Northcote (off College Rd), Heath Reserve at end of Exmouth Rd, Northcote.
Ecological Monitoring
Kingfisher (Photo: Suzi Phillips)
The iconic bird of the crater is the Kotare (Kingfisher), which is seen on every visit. Monitoring of birds and plants is ongoing.
Opportunities exist for interested people to get involved in ecological monitoring of the reserve, in particular estuarine ecology – fish, mud dwellers, plant health (kawakawa dieback), animal pest monitoring, monitoring of invertebrates, reptiles, lichens, fungi. We can put you in touch with experts who can guide you.
Birds of Tuff Crater PDF
Native plants of Tuff Crater PDF
Invasive/naturalising plants of Tuff Crater PDF
Geology
Tuff Crater is one of several explosion craters in the Auckland area, breached by the sea it is now a mangrove estuary. The northern rim was extensively modified during World War 2 when the Americans excavated and started but never finished building fuel tanks. Some of the concrete bases of these tanks still exist. Steep tuff cliffs exist on the north and south sides.
Pest Control
We have a volunteer driven pest control program at the reserve. We have a network of bait stations in private properties bordering the reserve, a network of monitoring tunnels and a few stoat, rat and possum traps on the north side. If you are interested in helping with the pest control at Tuff please contact us.
History
Archaeology Report 2001 1 PDF
Archaeology Report 2001 2 PDF
Archaeology Map JPG
Birkenhead Historical Society. (2006). Members Stories: The Northcote Fuel Tank Farm to 1989. Speech given to the Birkenhead Historical Society 13 May 2006
Supporters
Planting Day 2011
Forest and Bird appreciates the ongoing support of its volunteer team, immediate neighbours, staff from neighbouring businesses including Canon and The Warehouse, The ARC Coastal Enhancement Fund, ARC Environmental Initiatives Fund, DOC Community Conservation Fund, North Harbour Rotary, Birkenhead Northcote Community Board and now the Kaipatiki Local Board, Lion Foundation, Auckland Council and ASB Community Trust who have provided generous grants to assist this project.
