My Account
As Auckland City spreads north, and demands are made on the rural landscape, areas of native bush become more valued for the glimpse they give of the splendour of the forest in pre-European times. Early settlers found timber in plentiful supply and with their priorities being to build homes for themselves, earn a living and clear land for farming, many giants of the forest were felled.
The men who dragged the logs out with bullock teams, built dams, produced sawn timber and cut shingles became highly skilled and were legends in their own time. Paradoxically, these were the same men who worked to have groves of kauri designated as reserves for the enjoyment of future generations. One of their number was the late William (Bill) Dennis, of Pukapuka. At his funeral in 1965, following the tradition of the old timbermen, his favourite axe was buried with him and mourners wore sprigs of kauri. Tributes were paid to his skills handling bullock teams and to his efforts planting and preserving young kauri. A tree close to his grave at Pukapuka Cemetery was dedicated to his memory and was to be known as ‘Bill’s Tree’.
The Warkworth Museum gives pride of place to the tools of trade and records of this part of our history, and the many visitors to adjacent Parry Kauri Park can admire the McKinney and Simpson Kauri and walk through regenerating bush.
Volunteers needed
Many of the stalwarts who have given their time to help keep the museum open seven days a week have had to give up recently. Volunteers who have a morning or afternoon free are needed to fill the roster. Please ring the Curator 4257093.
