KMA-Piggots

Size: 3430 hectares

Area description

The KMA-Piggots biodiversity focus area is located within an extensive tract of native forest in the Hunua Ranges. It is administered by Auckland Council.

Mount Kohukohunui, the highest point in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland at an elevation of 688 metres, is included within this biodiversity focus area.

The land is deeply dissected hill country with close-set valleys, steep slopes and narrow ridges. The soils are made up of uplifted sedimentary siltstone, sandstone and argillite rock.

KMA-Piggots forest.
The KMA-Piggots in the Hunua Ranges showing its extensive tract of native forest.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2017

Key ecosystems

The forest is a mosaic of mostly tawa forest (WF13) with abundant kohekohe. The vegetation surrounding the top of Mount Kohukohunui is the only example in Tāmaki Makaurau of rimu-tōwai forest (MF24). This ecosystem includes submontane species uncommon in Tāmaki Makaurau including: 

  • mountain cabbage tree
  • mountain horopito
  • hutu.

Hebe, wharariki flaxland and rockland (CL6) is found on the steep rocky bluffs here. Few examples of this ecosystem are found in Tāmaki Makaurau. At lower elevations, there are patches of both taraire-dominated forest (WF9) and regenerating scrub and forest with kānuka and mānuka (VS2 and VS3).

Ecological restoration

A successful and ongoing animal pest control programme was established in 1994 to protect the last pair of kōkako left here. It now provides protection to over 100 kōkako breeding pairs, as well as many other native species including:

  • kākā
  • pepeketua (Hochstetter’s frog)
  • toutouwai (North Island robin)
  • miromiro (tomtit)
  • pekapeka-tou-roa (long-tailed bat)
  • korimako (bellbird).

Volunteers play a crucial role in the ongoing success of this project.

Related ecosystems

Cliff ecosystem

Hebe, wharariki flaxland and rockland ecosystem (CL6)

This ecosystem is strongly influenced by environmental conditions such as high rainfall, earthquakes and soil moisture. It includes a mosaic of vegetation communities including lichens, herbs, grasses, sedges and low forest species.

Threat status
Least concern

Mild forest ecosystem

Rimu, tōwai forest ecosystem (MF24)

This mild forest ecosystem, which can withstand high levels of moisture and wind exposure, occurs on high ridges, hill-slopes and plateaux.

Threat status
Critically endangered

Regenerating ecosystem

Kānuka scrub and forest ecosystem (VS2)

Found throughout New Zealand, kānuka dominated forest establishes readily after fire. It's diverse range of flowering and fruiting shrubs and trees provide habitat for a wide range of invertebrates, birds and lizards.

Threat status
Least concern

Regenerating scrub

Mānuka, kānuka scrub ecosystem (VS3)

This ecosystem is abundant in the Waitākere Ranges and on Great Barrier Island. It establishes after disturbance events, such as fires. It occurs across a wide range of soils, altitudes and latitudes and provides habitat for many native fauna.

Threat status
Least concern

Warm forest ecosystem

Tawa, kohekohe, rewarewa, hīnau, podocarp forest ecosystem (WF13)

This warm forest ecosystem occurs on inland hill country where kauri is absent. It is home to a wide range of common and threatened fauna. In Auckland, species such as kōkako thrive in this ecosystem where pest animal control is undertaken.

Threat status
Vulnerable

Warm forest ecosystem

Taraire, tawa, podocarp forest ecosystem (WF9)

This forest ecosystem occurs across a range of landforms. In a healthy system where pollinators such as native birds are present, it provides habitat for a diverse range of fauna and flora.

Threat status
Endangered