Waharau

Size: 780 hectares

Site description

The Waharau biodiversity focus area is a large forest-clad corridor and vegetation sequence from the steep hillslopes on the eastern side of the Hunua Ranges to the gravelly shores of Waihihi Bay on the Firth of Thames.

The biodiversity focus area covers part of Hunua Ranges Regional Park and Waharau Regional Park.

Overlooking the forest of Waharau Regional Park.
Waharau biodiversity focus area consists predominately of kauri, beech forest and tawa, podocarp forest.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2017

Key ecosystems

The vegetation is a mix of:

  • kauri, podocarp, broadleaved, beech forest (WF12) with hard beech on ridgelines and the upper portion of hillslopes
  • large areas of tawa-dominated forest (WF13) with abundant tree ferns
  • smaller areas of taraire-dominated forest (WF9)
  • kānuka forest and scrub (VS2).

Native fauna

As part of the Hunua Ranges, the forest habitat supports a rich diversity of native species including birds such as:

  • tūī
  • pīwakawaka (fantail)
  • kererū
  • ruru (morepork)
  • miromiro (tomtit)
  • kākā.

Waihihi Stream provides a freshwater to coast habitat connection. This stream along with the other forest-clad streams in this biodiversity focus area support good populations of native freshwater species such as tuna (eels) and kōura.

The shoreline also provides habitat for shorebirds including:

  • tōrea pango (variable oystercatcher)
  • tūturiwhatu (New Zealand dotterel).
Waharau Regional Park.
Looking east over Waharau Regional Park.
Photo credit: Andrew Macdonald, Biospatial Ltd 2017

Management

The forest is mostly weed free with only occasional small infestations of weeds such as hakea and pampas. Animal pest control including aerial bait drops and trapping within Waharau and Hunua Regional Parks is enhancing the habitat value and availability of food sources for native species.

A goat control programme in the Hunua Ranges is reducing the impact of goats on forest regeneration.

The forest is currently free of kauri dieback and kauri dieback hygiene stations are present for everyone to use to help it remain this way.

Related ecosystems

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

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