Bushy Park is a forest reserve located on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) inland from Kai Iwi in the Wanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui region and has an area of approximately 100 hectares (250 acres).[1] The reserve is characterized as a lowland remnant of rata-podocarp tawa-puketea rainforest.[2] According to Forest & Bird, Bushy Park is considered to be amongst the 25 best restoration ecology projects in Australia and New Zealand.[3] The reserve is protected by a predator-proof fence, and is a native bird sanctuary.[4] The reserve also features an Edwardian-era homestead which is registered as a Category I heritage building with Heritage New Zealand.[5]
| Bushy Park Tarapuruhi | |
|---|---|
 Cabbage tree in Bushy Park | |
| Location | 791 Rangitatau East Road, Manawatū-Whanganui region, North Island, New Zealand |
| Nearest city | Whanganui |
| Area | 100 hectares (250 acres) |
| Established | 1962 |
| Governing body | Bushy Park Homestead and Forest Trust |
| bushypark | |
History
In 1880, 391 ha (966 acres) were transferred from Uru Te Angina to James Moore for £483. Moore established a large farm on the estate and his son Frank Moore became known as a breeder of cattle and horses. However, 245 acres (99 ha) were preserved, and this area is now the Bushy Park Tarapuruhi reserve.[6] The forest reserve and the 22-room Edwardian homestead, built for Frank Moore in 1906, were bequeathed to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand by Moore upon his death in 1962.[7]
The homestead, bird sanctuary, and rain forest have been managed by Bushy Park Homestead and Forest Trust since 1994.[8][9] The Bushy Park Festival, an annual event on the Sunday of Wellington Anniversary weekend, has been a major fundraising event for the trust.[10]
During the period of 2004 to 2005, a 4.8 kilometres (3.0 mi) pest-exclusion fence was built around the park and two aerial drops of rodent bait occurred later in 2005.[7] The opening of Bushy Park’s kiwi creche, also in 2005, was marked by the arrival of a female kiwi chick from the Waimarino Forest.[2]
Flora and fauna
A network of ten forest paths traverse the forest reserve that includes mahoe, mamaku, pukatea, rātā, and rimu along with colonies of ferns and mosses.[3][11] A feature of the reserve is a large northern rātā (Metrosideros robusta) named Ratanui ("Big Rata"). The tree is estimated to be 1000 years old.[12] It is 43 metres (141 ft) in height while its girth exceeds 11 metres (36 ft),[1] and prior to the establishment of the predator-proof fence it was severely damaged by possums.[2] This tree featured in an international writing project called 26 Trees.[13]
Avifauna species include korimako, kererū, toutouwai, tīeke, and tūī,[7] as well as the kārearea, pīwakawaka, riroriro, mallard, pūkeko, tauhou, and matuku moana.[3]
In May 2022, a flock of 52 whiteheads (pōpokotea) were translocated from Waitahinga Reserve to Bushy Park.[14]
Giraffe weevils, glowworms, and huhu beetles also inhabit Bushy Park.[3]
References
