About Whakamārama Forest Project
Our group was proposed in 2015 to Whakamārama Community Incorporated (WCI) by Colin Hewens, with the aim of increasing native bird populations and restoring forest health through pest control.
WCI supported the project’s aim to start predator control, and a successful grant application was made to Western Bay of Plenty District Council. Whakamārama Forest Project continues to operate as part of WCI, under an agreement with the Department of Conservation.
Native Wildlife is Returning
Today the project area boasts healthy populations of Kererū (Wood Pigeon), Mātātā (Fernbird), Toutouwai (North Island Robin), Miromiro (Tomtit), Korimako (Bellbird), Ruru (Morepork), Kārearea (NZ Falcon), Riroriro (Grey Warbler), Tauhou (Silvereye) and Tūī.
Most recently, Kākā have also been spotted returning to the forest, with Pekapeka-tou-roa (Long-tailed Bats) and Tītiponamu (Rifleman) detected.
A Regenerating Forest
Reducing the numbers of invasive browsers has allowed native vegetation to thrive and forest taonga species to regenerate under this protection.
Plant monitoring shows a strong presence of the next generation of significant trees, including tawa, miro and rimu, along with species vulnerable to browsing such as māhoe, Pseudopanax (including five-finger), karamū and flowering rātā vine.
Volunteers
We currently have over 40 volunteers who visit all the trap lines every fortnight to record the dead pests, remove them, rebait and reset the traps. Pests targeted are possums, rats, mustelids, and feral cats that have no place in our native forests. Volunteers are also working to extend the area covered by marking out and cutting new trap lines, as volunteer numbers allow.
Visit the Forest
A 30-minute drive from Tauranga, the Blade Carpark at the end of Whakamārama Road provides access to the forest. There are a range of nature walks to suit everyone from a gentle family friendly option to multi-day hiking options. Enjoy the regenerating native forest, rare bird species and pristine streams and rivers of this special place.
Pā Kererū Loop Walk
40min/2.5km (loop)
Difficulty: Easy
Ngamarama Track (to North-South Track)
3hr/5.5km (one way)
Difficulty: Advanced
Leyland O'Brien Tramline Track (to North-South Track)
2hr30min/6km (one way)
Difficulty: Advanced
Whakamārama Forest Project is an all-volunteer predator control group helping protect native bush and wildlife in the Kaimai Mamaku.
