Te Paparahi

Size: 3414 hectares

Area description

Te Paparahi biodiversity focus area lies at the northern end of Aotea / Great Barrier Island. It is an extensive and continuous tract of native forest and regenerating scrub. 

There are intact ecological sequences from the marine environment to coastal and lowland forest, up through to cloud forest surrounding Tataweka at 526 metres above sea level.

Te Paparahi biodiversity focus area extends north from Ahuriri Point on the west coast and Waikaro Point on the east coast. It includes Aiguilles Island, Needles Point and other small rocky islets and rock stacks off the northern tip of Aotea / Great Barrier Island. The biodiversity focus area covers Te Paparahi Conservation Area.

The land is deeply dissected with rugged coastal cliffs up to 200 metres high. The soils are of greywacke origin, skeletal (thin) and prone to erosion. 

The forest canopy is original in areas which weren’t historically burnt or milled. However, the forest understorey was severely modified by heavy goat and pig infestations. Goats were eradicated from the area by 1992 and the forest is now in an advanced stage of regeneration.

Needles Point, Great Barrier Island.
Needles Point, the Northern most land of Great Barrier Island. Te Paparahi biodiversity focus area extends from here south to Motairehe and Whangapoua wetland.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2019

Key ecosystems

Around the coast, there is pōhutukawa treeland, flaxland and rockland on the cliffs (CL1). On gentler terrain are coastal broadleaved forest (WF4) and taraire-dominated forest (WF9) remnants. 

Inland, there are kauri, podocarp, broadleaved forest (WF11) remnants. The stands of mature kauri reportedly look like islands surrounded by younger forest. Large areas of kānuka scrub and forest (VS2) are regenerating in areas previously burnt. Tawa is common at higher elevations (WF13).

There are small pockets of coastal turf (SA5) in stream mouths on the eastern side of Te Paparahi, with a unique mix of low-growing native coastal herbs. These are of high biodiversity value as they are some of the few remaining Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland coastal turf examples and differ in composition from the mainland sites.

The northern coastal cliffs of Te Paparahi.
The northern coastal cliffs of Te Paparahi biodiversity focus area. Te Hauturu o Toi can be seen in the distance.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2019

Native fauna

Te Paparahi provides habitat for a rich diversity of native animals including several threatened species. Takoketai (black petrel), Cook’s petrel and other seabirds are likely to be nesting on islets and steep cliffs where predation is low. The forest is likely to support species such as:

  • kākāriki
  • kākā
  • pekapeka-tou-roa (long-tailed bat)
  • Hochstetter’s frog
  • native lizards.

Tidal creeks provide valuable habitat for pāteke (brown teal). Kōkako were historically present although declined in numbers until in the 1990s when a decision was made to transfer the remaining individual birds to Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island.

Threats

Aotea / Great Barrier Island is free of possums and mustelids, but ship rats, feral cats, and pigs are a serious and ongoing threat to native species populations.

Related ecosystems

Cliff ecosystem

Pōhutukawa treeland, flaxland and rockland ecosystem (CL1)

This ecosystem occurs on coastal rock faces and eroding hill-slopes around the Auckland coastline and on offshore islands. It contains a mosaic of different plant communities including herbs, flax, shrubs and trees.

Threat status
Vulnerable

Coastal saline ecosystem

Herbfield (coastal turf) ecosystem (SA5)

This ecosystem occurs on hard rock on coastal bluffs and cliffs along the western coastline of Auckland and some Hauraki Gulf islands. A wide range of salt-tolerant herbs, sedges and rushes are present.

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 forest ecosystem (WF11)

Once widespread across the Auckland region, this warm forest ecosystem contains a range of podocarp and broadleaf trees on different landforms. It is an ideal habitat for birds, bats and lizards thanks to an abundance of fruit and nectar.

Threat status
Endangered

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

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

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