In late 1997’ The Te Ara Roa Family Trust purchased a 25 ha lot on the North Face of Kauri Mt – a few months later the Trust purchased a
further 12 ha block adjoining the original, creating a total holding of 37 ha.
The land was a mixture of open pasture, wetland areas and extensive areas of native bush, not fenced at the time and heavily grazed by stock.
Kauri Mt is a region of high ecological values with several threatened native plant and animal species living and growing in the area. This
included the iconic Kiwi, which is constantly under huge pressure from introduced pests and domestic animals, mainly dogs.
Our vision for the land was to embark on a long term re-vegetation plan. Two large areas (approx total of 10 ha) of native bush were fenced
off permanently from grazing allowing the forest floor to re-vegetate and improve the overall health of the bush lots. This improves the
habitat available to local native birdlife, including Kiwi. A large area of wetland has also been fenced and is part of a yearly planting
programme to restore and enhance this precious habitat. Ongoing pest control against possum, rats, mustelids and feral cats has seen an
improvement in birdlife over the years – although this is a perpetual process, it can only be controlled, not eradicated.
Planting of Ara Roa wetlands 2007
Native Tree planting 2008
Native Tree planting 2009
We are also allowing other areas of the property to convert back from pasture to native bush; this takes a number of years of weed control until
canopy is restored. In the near future we plan to fence off a large north facing slope to the West of the Guest House and place it under managed
re-vegetation.
As a neighbourhood conservation group we have set up a native plant nursery to supply us with yearly plantings. Over the past 10 years we estimate
over 15,000 native plantings have been put in the ground, along with thousands more that are re-generating naturally.
The entire property is part of the catchment area for the Taiharuru Estuary. We feel a responsibility in aiding the improvement of this catchment
area which in turn will assist in improving the health of the estuary environment it feeds into.
Our vision for the property is to be predominantly restored to native bush with reduced areas of pasture for small farm grazing and to mitigate as
much as possible the effect our dwellings and development have made on the land.
We endeavour to live with and enhance the natural environment with a minimal impact.
Along with these conservation efforts we work on our sustainability in the areas of Energy, Waste, Water, and pollution. We use only non toxic,
environmentally friendly and biodegradable toiletries and cleaning products.
