Trip Reports: January - February 2026
1 February 2026 - Motuihe Island
Under a cloudy sky, 48 Club members set off from Z Pier at 8am on the Red Boat ferry, bound for Motuihe Island.
This 179ha conservation island in the Hauraki Gulf has had an interesting past.
Originally inhabited by Maori at two pa sites, it has been a quarantine station for both people and animals, a WW1 POW and internment camp, a children’s health camp, a naval training base from 1942 - 1963, a farm, and now a DOC managed conservation reserve.
A Trust was formed in 2000 for the purpose of changing the island from a farm into a reserve.
Over the last 25 years, Friends of Motuihe volunteers have been working hard to rid the island of unwanted pests and weeds and replace these with over 450,000 native plants and trees, create tracks and establish a nursery to grow young plants.
As the plant cover grew, they have been able to introduce 5 species of native birds - tieke, little spotted kiwi, kakariki, whitehead and bellbirds. Larger birds like tui, kingfisher and native pigeon have found their own way there, to set up home in the growing native forest. Other native species such as tuatara, geckos, skinks and weta have also been introduced and are thriving in their new environment.
As the plant cover grew, they have been able to introduce 5 species of native birds - tieke, little spotted kiwi, kakariki, whitehead and bellbirds. Larger birds like tui, kingfisher and native pigeon have found their own way there, to set up home in the growing native forest. Other native species such as tuatara, geckos, skinks and weta have also been introduced and are thriving in their new environment.
Following our morning tea stop, overlooking Ocean Beach, which was dotted with day-tripping boats, we continued up onto the top of the Island to walk the 1 hour Tieke Loop Track. We heard lots of birdsong as we walked, especially the cackle and alarm call of the tieke/saddleback
At this point some of the group opted to extend their walking experience on other tracks, while the main group walked across the top of the Island, enjoying an almost 360 degree view encompassing the city, Rangitoto, Motutapu Island, Rakino, The Noises, Waiheke Island, Ponui Island and back to the mainland at Maraetai Beach. A magnificent vista!
From there we headed to the coast, most to Ocean Beach and some to Snapper Bay.
By now the sun had burnt off most of the cloud cover so we were grateful to find a spreading pohutukawa to provide welcome shade as we sat on the beach for lunch.
Several people enjoyed a refreshing swim, appreciating the smooth sand and the clear cooling water.
From there we headed to the coast, most to Ocean Beach and some to Snapper Bay.
By now the sun had burnt off most of the cloud cover so we were grateful to find a spreading pohutukawa to provide welcome shade as we sat on the beach for lunch.
Several people enjoyed a refreshing swim, appreciating the smooth sand and the clear cooling water.
Eventually we all met up again at our starting point by the tall Norfolk Pine that had an interesting series of signboards around it’s base, with information about the island. Our mantra for the day was “meet at the tree at three”.
A great day was had by all - special thanks to Sandra T. and Sue B.
Text: Sandra T. Photos: Linda
Text: Sandra T. Photos: Linda
18 January 2026 - Taitua Arboretum, Newstead Walkway and Taupiri Sunflower Farm
Our first walk for 2026 was a bit earlier in the year than normal, so that we would be sure to see the sunflowers blooming.
The first stop for this day, spent in the Hamilton area, was the Taitua Arboretum near Temple View.
This magnificent mature forest park of 20 hectares was donated to the Hamilton City Council in 1997 by John & Bunny Mortimer.
They had spent 50 years developing the site, planting hundreds of exotic and native trees and shrubs, developing ponds, introducing wildlife, building shelters and so on. It was a joy to walk amongst these giant trees - especially through the Cryptomeria Avenue (Japanese cypress). We also identified many swamp cypress around the pond areas.
The loop track through this Arboretum takes about 90 minutes to wander, and we also had morning tea here. There are toilets and ample parking, and the Arboretum is free to visit.
The first stop for this day, spent in the Hamilton area, was the Taitua Arboretum near Temple View.
This magnificent mature forest park of 20 hectares was donated to the Hamilton City Council in 1997 by John & Bunny Mortimer.
They had spent 50 years developing the site, planting hundreds of exotic and native trees and shrubs, developing ponds, introducing wildlife, building shelters and so on. It was a joy to walk amongst these giant trees - especially through the Cryptomeria Avenue (Japanese cypress). We also identified many swamp cypress around the pond areas.
The loop track through this Arboretum takes about 90 minutes to wander, and we also had morning tea here. There are toilets and ample parking, and the Arboretum is free to visit.
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We then travelled on our bus to the other side of Hamilton to do the 2.3km Newstead Walkway, a 30 minute track between Morrinsville Road and Vaile Road. The feature of this walk was a grassy eucalyptus grove, where we stopped to have lunch in the sunshine. Several enormous eucalypts that would have been around 150 years old were growing in this area, plus there were massive logs lying around the perimeter, which must have been felled by the Council for safety reasons. |
We had written evidence that the tallest tree in NZ, back in the 1960’s, grew here. It reached a height of 71 metres, before losing a section of canopy in the 1968 Wahine gale, which took it’s height down to 68 metres.
On the way out of the Walkway we passed some people feeding very large eels in a murky stream, which are a local taonga. Not far from this Walkway, we passed a local Lavender Farm and enjoyed the sight of many rows of flowering purple blooms.
On the way out of the Walkway we passed some people feeding very large eels in a murky stream, which are a local taonga. Not far from this Walkway, we passed a local Lavender Farm and enjoyed the sight of many rows of flowering purple blooms.
Travelling north, we found our way to Gordonton Road and our next and last stop for the day at the Taupiri Sunflower Farm.
This place was a delight to our members, as they walked amongst these giant flowers - taller than most of us - and took photos galore. There were a selection of animals on the farm; alpaca, pigs, sheep, and a goat that thought he was a sheep.
This place was a delight to our members, as they walked amongst these giant flowers - taller than most of us - and took photos galore. There were a selection of animals on the farm; alpaca, pigs, sheep, and a goat that thought he was a sheep.
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Quirky structures around the property added interest and appealed to the photographers. We were able to pick the sunflowers and colourful zinnias, for a price, and took bucketloads back to Auckland on the bus.
There were 49 members on this trip, which was led by Sandra Turner and Ann Marie Herbert. Everyone enjoyed our first outing for the year and the variety it offered. Quite a few older members came on this trip, as the walking was not too arduous |
What a fabulous way to start the year!
Special thanks to today's leaders - Sandra T. and Ann Marie
Text: Sandra Photos: Robyn and Katherine
Special thanks to today's leaders - Sandra T. and Ann Marie
Text: Sandra Photos: Robyn and Katherine