The Atuanui Restoration Project is a community partnership initiated by Kaipara Forest and Bird with local residents, Auckland City Council, the Department of Conservation, and other supporters.
The goal is to establish a mainland restoration project at the Atuanui Scenic Reserve to restore the reserve to a healthy forest teeming with native flora and fauna and filled with a melodious dawn chorus.
Atuanui Scenic Reserve is a 615 hectare native forest reserve of mature mixed podocarp and hardwood forest just over 70 km north west of Auckland on SH16. It is the largest area of native forest between the Waipoua Forest and the Waitakere Ranges.
Highlights include some large Kauri, Rimu and Puriri trees as well as a dominant Taraire canopy and a rich variety of native vegetation. Kereru, Tui, Fantail, Ruru and Tomtits are some of the birds seen and heard at Atuanui.
There are many niche areas of high biodiversity, including king fern, stalked adders tongue fern, and several species of orchid. A wetland area at the mouth of the Mangatutu Stream on the Hoteo River is another special feature.
There is archaeological evidence of extensive pa sites and fortifications (including defensive ditches, terraces, middens and pits), on the peak, on the north-western slopes of Atuanui, and beside the Hoteo River.
Words and text by Suzi Phillips.
