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Parry Kauri Park in 1925.
Each year thousands of people visit Parry Kauri Park on Thomson Road, Warkworth. Some just stay to photograph the two large kauri trees, the most easily accessible such trees in New Zealand, some walk the loop track through the surrounding bush, and others visit the Warkworth Museum located in the park. On April 29, a celebratory dinner will be held at the museum to mark the 50th anniversary of the purchase of the two trees and the land they stand on, for use as a public park.In the early years of European settlement this land was part of the property owned by the Rev McKinney, the first Presbyterian minister in Warkworth and the Mahurangi District. On his death in 1905, his son took over the land until 1919, when it was sold to the Simpson family. The surrounding bush was logged at some date, but the two big kauri trees on the property were not felled along with the rest.
Mr Simpson was known to be very proud of the trees and willingly gave access to all who were interested in viewing them. He expressed the wish that if the land were sold and the purchaser intended to dispose of the trees, they should first be offered to the Warkworth Town Council for use as a public amenity. After his death his son sold the property to Denis Ingham, who honoured this request.
And so it was in 1967 that the local branch of the Kauri and Native Bushmen’s Association heard through their president, Tudor Collins, that the trees were for sale and the Town Council did not have sufficient funds to purchase them. The bushmen then took it upon themselves to raise approximately $8000 to cover the cost of the trees and the surrounding 8.5 ha of land. Both Mr Collins and his vice-president, Harry Parry, gave large donations, and Mr Parry guaranteed any shortfall of funds.
Since that time a road and carpark have been constructed and a portion of the land has been leased to the Warkworth and Districts Museum Society for a building to preserve our local history. Volunteers have fenced the property, felled pines and removed other exotic vegetation, carried out pest control, constructed tracks and a viewing platform, and are actively revegetating the areas of grass surrounding the bush.
The Rev McKinney and Mr Simpson are commemorated in the naming of the trees – the largest of the two is the McKinney Kauri and the smaller is the Simpson Kauri. The name of Parry Kauri Park was given in gratitude for Mr Parry’s financial contribution. He and his brother operated a butter factory at Pukapuka on the Mahurangi River for many years, and also owned a sawmill. The road giving access to the park was named Tudor Collins Drive.
Mr Collins was a businessman owning a garage and service station, and a radio and electrical store in the main street of Warkworth. However, he is known far and wide for his skill as a photographer, much of it capturing activities in the kauri forests of Coromandel and Northland.
Anyone who has an interest in joining in the 50th anniversary celebration is welcome to attend the dinner.
