Soldiers Bay Sequence

Size: 35 hectares

Area description

The Soldiers Bay Sequence biodiversity focus area is situated in the upper Waitemata Harbour on the coast between Birkenhead and Birkdale, on the North Shore. It is a highly valued intact ecological sequence from forest to coast. 

The biodiversity focus area includes the forest-clad Kauri Park and Muriel Fisher Reserves, as well as other small areas of local parkland.

View toward Soldiers Bay.
Soldiers Bay sequence consists of hills of coastal and podocarp, broadleaved forest species that drain into into a raupō wetland before flowing into mangrove forest and scrub.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2019

Key ecosystems

Soldiers Bay is a small bay with shell banks (SA1.5) on either side of the main mangrove-lined channel. Upstream, a small floodplain extends for approximately 300m. The vegetation transitions from mangrove to saltmarsh (SA1) to raupō-dominated wetland (WL19) and then swamp forest with kahikatea and occasional swamp maire (WF8). 

Further upstream at the base of the gully, the vegetation is dense and dominated by mature native broadleaved trees including:

  • pūriri
  • taraire
  • tawa
  • kahikatea
  • kauri.

On hillslopes to the north and east of the bay the vegetation is a mix of mature kauri forest and younger kauri-tānekaha forest. Hard beech, an uncommon species in northern Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland, is also found on spurs above the stream.

Coastal forest (WF4) extends around the headland on the northern side of Soldiers Bay. Pōhutukawa is dominant on the cliff edges. On gentler hillslopes, other broadleaved trees are more abundant such as pūriri, kohekohe and kōwhai.

Soldiers Bay.
Soldiers Bay, its raupō wetland, surrounding forest and mangroves. The bay and several reserves make up this biodiversity focus area.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2019

Habitat value

This high quality, continuous tract of native vegetation supports a range of native forest bird species including:

  • kererū
  • tūī
  • kōtare (kingfisher)
  • ruru (morepork)
  • tauhou (silvereye)
  • riroriro (grey warbler).

Related ecosystems

Coastal saline ecosystem

Mangrove forest and scrub ecosystem (SA1)

Mangrove forest and scrub is found in tidal estuaries, inlets and where salt water meets fresh at the mouths of rivers and streams. This ecosystem has a range of distinct plant communities that provide habitat for birds and fish.

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

Warm forest ecosystem

Pōhutukawa, pūriri, broadleaved forest ecosystem (WF4)

Scattered along Auckland's coastlines, this broadleaved forest ecosystem provides an important source of food for kererū. They are also important seed dispersers for many species in this ecosystem.

Threat status
Endangered

Warm forest ecosystem

Kahikatea, pukatea forest ecosystem (WF8)

Swamp forests occur on wet soils along the coastal margins in areas that are frost free. A critically endangered ecosystem, it now exists in only a small number of areas in Auckland.

Threat status
Critically endangered

Wetland ecosystem

Raupō reedland ecosystem (WL19)

Raupō swamps are found in a wide range of areas on mineral soils and fluctuating water tables. They are dominated by raupō and other rushes and grasses, which provide a home for wetland birds.

Threat status
Endangered