We will be working alongside Auckland Council and hope to have the involvement of anyone and everyone who uses the Hūnua Ranges – there are a lot of users, from forestry and Watercare to recreation groups and individuals to hunters and DOC. Any users who would like to be part of the Friends, let us know!
Great to see the opening of the new reception/office area at the Kokako Lodge (near the Hūnua Falls), a much-needed improvement. The Lodge is a wonderful 85 bed facility right next to all the activities by the Falls. See www.kokakolodge.org.nz
Anyone looking for a research project?
How about the relationship between native bees and the forest and the impact of Varroa mite?
If you are going to the Ranges, please be careful and follow instructions posted in the area about Kauri Dieback disease. This is a deadly disease, killing kauri trees throughout the Auckland region. The Hūnua Ranges are currently a healthy kauri area - help us keep it this way.
Park information: https://regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/hunuaranges
One of the special projects that is happening in the Hunua Ranges is the Hunua KÅkako Recovery Project. Started in 1994, this is a project aiming to conserve the last remnant kokako population in the mainland Auckland regio
The best place to keep up with the project (other than news snippets which we will deliver to you!) is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Hunua.kokako
This page is designed as a place for people involved in the Hunua Kokako Management Area (the KMA) to discuss things, and for people wanting to become involved to learn more about the project.
Currently, volunteers are involved every tuesday and every second saturday of each month in distributing bait and checking traps within the 1050 hectare management area.
This area is home to 24 pairs of kokako, as well as a variety of other rare and interesting animals such as Hochstetter frogs, North Island robins, the northernmost mainland breeding population of bellbirds (korimako), kaka, wood pigeons (kereru), and long-tailed bats (pekapeka).
To become involved, contact mags.ramsey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz for more information.
Read the remarkable story of the recovery of a very special, at-risk native bird, the North Island kōkako.
Author Lenny van Heugten, an enthusiastic environmentalist working in the South Auckland and North Waikato regions, brings to life this remarkable story.
If you would like to be informed of activities, volunteer opportunities and general news about the Hunua Ranges, then subscribe to our eNewsletter...
Higher risk tracks in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park are closed from 1 May 2018.
A number of higher risk tracks in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park are closed. A Controlled Area Notice (CAN)* is in place across the forested areas of the Hunua Ranges as well as the Waharau Regional Park.
SCRUB | SPRAY | STAY on the track