Paremoremo Scenic Reserve

Size: 102 hectares

Site description and location

Paremoremo Scenic Reserve is the largest forest and scrub-covered reserve on the North Shore. It is located at the northern end of the North Shore and is administered by Auckland Council. 

Native vegetation covers steep, south-facing hillslopes from the ridgeline to Paremoremo Creek. This creek flows through a narrow floodplain at the base of the reserve and includes a series of rapids. The creek becomes tidal downstream as it flows into an estuarine inlet of the upper Waitematā Harbour.

Paremoremo Scenic Reserve.
Western view of the kauri, podocarp, broadleaved forest at Paremoremo Scenic Reserve.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2018

Key ecosystems

Kauri, podocarp, broadleaved, beech forest (WL12) covers a steep sided valley at the eastern end of the reserve as well as the lower hillslopes of Paremoremo Creek. Hard beech is also common on spurs. 

Kauri dieback, a soil-borne pathogen capable of killing kauri trees of all ages, is present in the reserve. Public access is restricted to prevent the further spread of this pathogen.

There is a small patch of Kahikatea forest (MF4) on a low-lying terrace next to Paremoremo Creek. Kahikatea are common here, along with occasional tawa, tītoki, nīkau and supplejack. Kahikatea forest is ranked as regionally critically endangered.

Mānuka and stunted kānuka dominated gumland scrub (WL1.2) covers the ridges and high plateau. Other plant species often associated with gumlands found here include:

  • prickly mingimingi
  • gumland grass tree
  • kūmarahou.

Gumlands were once much more widespread but frequent fires, clearance for urban development, weed invasion and other factors have irreversibly altered many of the original gumlands. The loss of gumland areas means this ecosystem type has a regional threat ranking of critically endangered.

Forest and scrub Paremoremo Scenic Reserve.
Looking south over the reserve, pockets of stunted gumland are seen amongst kauri, podocarp, broadleaved forest and kānuka-dominated scrub.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2018

Habitat values

The large area of forest and scrub within the reserve and the freshwater streams provide important habitat for many threatened and common native animals.

A diverse range of native forest birds, native lizard species and several native freshwater fish species are present in this biodiversity focus area.

Related ecosystems

Mild forest ecosystem

Kahikatea forest ecosystem (MF4)

This mild forest ecosystem occurs along streams, rivers and in flood plains where soils remain water-logged for long periods during the year.

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

Warm forest ecosystem

Kauri, podocarp, broadleaved, beech forest ecosystem (WF12)

Steep hill-slopes like those found in the Hunua Ranges are where this warm forest ecosystem, home to a wide range of birds, lizards and bats, can be found.

Threat status
Endangered

Wetland ecosystem

Mānuka, gumland grass tree – Machaerina scrub and sedgeland ecosystem (WL1)

Gumlands, a wetland / shrubland ecosystem, occurs on low-fertility soils in low lying areas. Many threatened flora and fauna are present including orchids, sundews and lizards.

Threat status
Critically endangered