Welcome to Tamahunga
Waterfall on Tamahunga. Photo: N. Wilson.
The Forest
The Tamahunga forest is a significant local landmark in the North Auckland Region. It is a critical cultural site for Ngāti Manuhiri, harbours high biodiversity values, including locally rare and threatened species, and forms the upper catchment for several important waterways, including the Whangateau Harbour and the Pakiri, Matakana and Hoteo Rivers.
The forest currently comprises a matrix of protected land in the Tamahunga Ecological Reserve, Ngāti Manuhiri Scientific Reserve, private conservation covenant and other privately owned lands. Over several decades land has been legally protected and reserved, extensive fencing has been undertaken to exclude stock, goats have been eradicated and possums have been controlled to low densities.
The forested slopes range from 75-439m above sea level and the Tamahunga summit is the highest point in the area. There is a complex mix of virgin podocarp and hardwood stands on the ridges and regenerating forest on the surrounding slopes.
Tamahunga Trappers carrying new traps up the maunga (mountain) to establish trap lines, circa 2011. Photo: S. Cameron.
The Trappers
In 2010 a community based conservation group, now known as the Tamahunga Trappers Incorporated, was formed with the intention of protecting, restoring and advocating for Tamahunga, essentially restoring the mauri of Tamahunga.
We began predator trapping in the forest, with 54 traps, catching 12 stoats 2 weasels, 65 rats in the first year. The group now has over 225 traps, on 8trapping circuits over the mountain, plus manyneighbours undertake additional trapping. Yearlycatches average 30-40 stoats, 5 weasels, 200 rats.
A shared vision brings unity and clarity of purpose to a group of people working towards a particular set of goals: To protect, enhance, restore and advocate for the biodiversity values and environmental benefits provided by Tamahunga, to facilitate natural recolonisation and reintroduction of rare and threatened species and to engage the local community in the active restoration of this forest ecosystem.
Kiwi Translocation
One of the major goals for the Tamahunga Trappers was to protect the forest, by predator control activities, to the level that we are able to reintroduce rare and threatened species.
2019
Began application process for permission to reintroduce kiwi.
April 2021
Permit to reintroduce kiwi received from Department of Conservation.
19th March 2023
The first of 3 translocations of kiwi from Motuora to Tamahunga.
Flora & Fauna
There is a wonderful collection of native flora and fauna on the maunga (mountain). Some of which is only found on Tamahunga such as the iris Libertia tamahunga.
Libertia flaccidifolia
Iris
Miromiro
Tom tit
Dolomedes
Water spider
Hoheria populnea
Lacebark