February-March 2025

February - March 2025

30 March 2025 - Tamaki Path & Mangemangeroa Valley Walkway

On a lovely sunny Sunday 33 members of our Club set off with Dave, a new bus driver, to walk the Tamaki Path in Glen Innes and the Mangemangeroa Valley Walkway from the Shelley Beach end. These two walks were a substitute for the scheduled walk on 30 March, which was Big Sand Island in the Kaipara Harbour, but which was deemed unsuitable for various reasons after the leadership team did a recce there.

We set off from Kotae Road at 9am and joined the wide concrete path which runs alongside the Tamaki River. It is a shared walking/biking path, so we were aware of staying to the left. The tide was right in and the views across the wide Tamaki River were very attractive as it sparkled in the morning sunshine.

Sandra W. helping us stay together!

But continue we did, to the finish of our walk at the Mt Wellington War Memorial Reserve, where we saw a large flock of oyster catchers sitting on the field, along with several paradise shelducks and some black backed seagulls. We also admired a beautifully shaped kauri tree near the playground - several people said it looked like a huge Christmas tree.

After some time we reached the Pt England Reserve, our morning tea stop, and were very surprised to find a horde of children and young families thronging the reserve - it was the Weetbix Kids Triathlon in progress. A delightful sight, to see so many children swimming, running and biking round designated routes. The only problem was that their routes were right where our route was planned, so it took some working out to find a way of getting through the running and biking circuits so we could continue our walk.

Morning tea with Weetbix Kids in the background.

Sandra T. - WWII Gun Emplacement

We rejoined our waiting bus at 10.30am and set off on the drive to Cockle Bay Beach.
Many of our members had not been there before.

We spent a bit of time looking at a WWII gun emplacement, built in 1942 following sightings of a Japanese float plane over Auckland and a submarine at Maraetai Beach.

Then we spread out along the beach to have our lunch, while watching the receding tide being followed out by a group of hungry oyster catchers.

Around 12.15pm we set off along the wet sand to walk around the headland to Shelley Park Beach, about 20 minutes.

Here we found a row of houses in an idyllic position, with a bush-clad cliff behind them and grass in front leading to the water’s edge of the estuary.

No road access, so very peaceful and quiet - until large groups of walkers came by!!

The Mangemangeroa Valley Walkway began as we entered a bush track, which followed the side of the estuary, with a few ups and downs, groups of steps at intervals and lots of mature trees. Many of the trees had identifying nameplates, which added interest to our walk. As did the birdsong we enjoyed, especially a very loud rendition by a bunch of tui in a beautiful area of tall, mature trees. We also saw fantail flitting about, a few kingfishers and a couple of grey herons feeding on the mudflats.

A lofty lookout area gave us a place to take a break and regroup, while enjoying the view. While we were there a large group of Sea Scouts from Bucklands Beach came by, many of them fairly young so their short little legs were working overtime on all the steps, but they were pushing valiantly on.

After an hour or so on the track, we turned off on the Rotary Loop Track which led us up a reasonably steep section of shady pathway to the carpark on Somerville Road, where our walk ended and our bus was waiting.

There were a lot of relieved people at that point, after walking a total of 9kms and surviving the ups and downs. There was no B walk today, so we were proud of everyone for achieving this walk together.

Extra special thanks to today's leaders who spent considerable time researching Sand Dune Island, before having to change tack and prepare for today's two walks!!

Leaders: Sandra T. and Ann Marie
Text: Sandra T. Photos: Barbara and Linda

16 March 2025 - Mangawhai Clifftop Walk

We were lucky enough to have a beautiful, cloudless blue sky day for our walk. The drive up was very relaxing and we had good views over the countryside in our very comfortable bus. In places the countryside looked very dry but in others, it was green.

After an interesting 1 hour 30 minute bus ride we arrived at our destination, Mangawhai Heads and it was obviously the place to be today as the carpark was full.

Our first requirement was morning tea before heading down to the beach and along to the start of the clifftop track. The sea was a very calm and a beautiful blue colour, the sun was sparkling off the water and all the islands were very visible. Perfect day to be out.

Our group split into the A and B walkers and the A walkers headed up the track to the start of all the steps – over 600 up and down but well spaced, although not always with a handrail. Wonderful views from the viewing platform at the top.

Then it was along the clifftop track – a very firm clay track with a number of trees giving covering from the hot sun. We wondered how the huge gnarly old pohutukawa managed to stay balanced on the edge of the cliff face. We saw plenty of kawakawa, flax, totara, mahoe, ngaio and karo as well.

After plenty of small amounts of steps we reached the end of the clifftop track and headed down to the beach for lunch beside the hole in the rock. The tide was on the way out which was fortunate as the walk back along the beach isn’t accessible at high tide.

It was a tricky walk back, as it was not only sand but rocks and large and small pebbles that we had to navigate over. Quite challenging. We had a lovely sea breeze to keep us cool though and fascinating rock structures to admire.

Variable oyster catchers / Torea pango

The B group continued up the beach to look at the rock structures then back to the carpark and down Track 5 to the estuary for lunch under the shady pohutukawa trees. Then a wander up to the mouth of the estuary to view the power of the sea and admire the birds on the other side, cormorants, red billed gulls and oyster catchers.

Next, we headed back up another track to the carpark and up Track 1 - an uphill track but with only a few steps, to an amazing viewing spot, looking out to sea and the islands and this was also the launch pad of 3 or 4 hang gliders who were jumping off the cliff into the air - right beside us.

So, we had everything today – lovely weather, great walks, fabulous views, interesting trees, plenty of birds, hang gliders and not to forget the coffee cart and an ice cream cart!!

What a great day - special thanks to:
Leaders & their helpers: Josephine & Naomi and Anne & Vicki
Text: Anne Photos: Naomi, Barbara and Anne

2 March 2025 - Bethells Beach

It was decided that a smaller, lighter bus was required to safely navigate the narrow windy roads in this area and as we were visiting a very popular beach, parking would be at a premium, especially on a Sunday.

We started our day with a visit to Cascade Kauri Park Falls carpark that had generous public toilet facilities and, being such a pretty spot next to the bush, we decided to stop there for an early morning tea.

Upon our arrival at Matuku Link we were greeted by John Staniland, an honorary ranger for Forest & Bird and a Trustee of Matuku Link/Matuku Reserve.

John talked to us about the history of Matuku Link and his involvement in forming Matuku Reserve before taking us for a guided walk through Matuku Link’s wetlands.

Interestingly, John showed us the raupo plant seed heads – the fluffy down section being the female of the seed head and at the top of this, the spike, being the male and when the spike is thickly covered in pollen, the early Maori gathered this and used the pollen as flour for bread. It became a very important food source.

We then departed Matuku Link and went on a very short bus ride to Lake Wainamu, a fresh water lake two kilometers back from Bethells Beach. It is surrounded by high, black, sand dunes that were being thoroughly enjoyed by children and their families boogy-boarding down the high slopes.

Our trail to view Lake Wainamu, alongside these sand dunes, became a very shallow, ankle deep walk through a black sandy bottom stream which was very cooling on such a hot summer’s day.

We ended our day at Bethells Beach Café where members thoroughly enjoyed ice cream and refreshments, under shady pohutukawa trees, as well as a short walk along Bethells Beach before departing for home.

A great day that offered a good variety of experiences!

Special thanks to our leaders - Heather, Eeva and Sandra W.

Text: Heather
Photos: Heather and Linda

16 February 2025 - Thames & William Hall Arboretum

Our day started with 39 people on the bus, heading to Thames. We had a 15 min coffee stop on the motorway before continuing the drive through the countryside to Thames, stopping for morning tea at the information centre. Here we divided into two groups.

Bird Hide

The first group set off on a short walk through the mangroves to the bird hide with the second group not far behind. Although there were not many birds to be seen, we saw the mangrove trees (Avicennia marina) in flower, a rare sight!

Both groups met up at the old Grahamstown Station (with its narrow track) before walking to the Mining & Mineralogical Museum for a guided tour. While the Manager gave us an overview of the Museum, we were offered scones.

We divided into 3 groups and were shown through the mining school and Museum. We came away from the tour with a better knowledge of mining. Incidentally, the new museum entrance was through the former Andrew Carnegie Library building!

At the conclusion of the tour which ended back at the shop, the rain had set in so the coastal walk was abandoned and lunch was eaten on the bus.

Short loop walk.

Then it was the up the hill to the Arboretum but because of the weather and the slippery nature of the steps we just did the short loop bush walk, noting in particular the large pohutakawa growing in the bush so far from the sea. There were also totara, kauri, puriri and matai.

Although we didn't do the coastal walk or Hall's Arboretum due to the rain, it was another great day out.

Special thanks to our leaders Praemi and John, also our first time recce helpers Julie and Thelma.

Text: Thelma and Praemi
Photos: Katherine and Praemi

2 February 2025 - Kaipara Coast - Mataia Homestead Trail

Our day started with 48 people heading to Mataia farm on the Kaipara Coast. This has been cared for by the same family for 6 generations. Over recent decades they have carried out an intensive conservation project, planting over 100,000 native trees, fencing off waterways and trapping for predators to protect endangered flora & fauna. They now have about 100 North Island brown kiwi.

When we arrived, we were given a talk by Shane, one of the family who runs the farm. We then divided into A & B groups and set off across two open paddocks. There was no livestock – it is a working farm - but we saw several beehives.

We reached a bushy hillside and followed the Mataia Creek on a grassy track until we reached a stile and entrance to the QEII bush. We heard a number of birds including fernbirds.

The QEII bush is a magnificent piece of protected bush with many healthy-looking kauri. The first part of the track was a scramble, but after that there were steps and boardwalk.

After exiting the bush, we followed a farm road down to the coast and Mataia Bay. As we descended, we caught glimpses of the beautiful harbour. From the beach we could see some of the sculptures at Gibbs farm next door. The B’s stopped here for their lunch after which they were turning back.

The A’s carried on along the coastal path past the saltmarsh wetland. There were wonderful stands of mature kowhai, totara, puriri, karaka and pohutukawa. We also saw keruru and fantail.

This path was lovely and shady as by now the temperature had risen and it was getting very hot. The A’s stopped for lunch just above this track with views of the harbour. They then retraced their steps along the same path.

Due to the heat, we were all slower at returning, with the B’s having to stop and obtain help for one of their group.
Despite the high temperatures, this was an enjoyable day with a great variety of scenery, flora and fauna.

A great way to start the year!

Special thanks to our leaders & their helpers - Sandra T and Josephine - Sue B and Linda L.
Text: Sue B. Photos: Barbara and Linda S.