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Many Hibiscus Coast residents may have never heard of Otanerau Reserve – a small, “but large enough to get lost in” patch of native bush in Hatfield’s Beach.
Auckland Council designated it a Significant Ecological Area, with its diverse native plant species and birdlife that includes grey warblers, kereru and ruru (morepork).
The reserve is bordered by Otanerua stream on one side, and when this flooded on Auckland Anniversary weekend, a large amount of debris was washed up into the bush.
The community planting day there, on June 18, therefore focused on the riparian margin with 20 trays of native carex grasses planted to stabilise the bank and provide habitat.
Attention was also paid to the street side entrance to the reserve, replacing plants that had been lost to wet feet.
The planting was organised by Restore Hibiscus & Bays. Its ecological restoration advisor, Deborah Colson, says since work began in the reserve, in late 2021, large amounts of weed species including climbing asparagus, monkey apple and ginger, has been removed. Pest Free Hibiscus Coast is also trapping possums and rats there.
Volunteer planter Colin Christie, and his wife Tori, have been helping at the reserve since the start. He says each time, they
get some rubbish out and some goodness back in.
Although it’s not a large reserve, he says it is still significant for the Coast.
“When you join all these little spots up, you make pathways for wildlife,” he says.
A group of Hatfields Beach locals are caring for the reserve with weeding and maintenance work carried out on a Sunday, and also weekly on Thursdays. To find out more, or join their merry band (even if you’d rather bake muffins for the crew than plant yourself), email deborah@restorehb.org.nz
