Queen Elizabeth D newsletter National Trust No. 26 AUGUST 1992

500th Covenant Celebrated

n spite of the discouraging cold was represented by Directors, Dr Brian winds, thunder and lightning and Molloy and Arthur Cowan, Trust torrential rain, over 100 covenantors, Manager, Tim Porteous and the Auckland Trust members and supporters, as well as Representative, Walter Willis. local authorities and allied conservation The 500th covenant covers an area of bodies, celebrated the registration of the 37 hectares of native forest on Arthur and National Trust’s 500th open space Val Dunn’s 340 hectare sheep and cattle covenant on Sunday, 14 June. The Trust farm in the upper Puhoi Valley, about 60

Visitors gathering at the Dunn property.

IN THIS ISSUE New Directors 4 Open Space Covenants 10 Bowman’s Bush 5 Pollock Covenant 16 Protected Mountain Areas 8 New Regional Reps 18 2 QEH NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER km north of Auckland. It is contiguous with an earlier covenant entered into by Mr and Mrs Dunn, which was registered in 1987. Thus a total continuous stretch of nearly 90ha of beautiful native forest is now protected on the farm. The forest includes some fine stands of kauri, kahikatea and many large rimu, totara, miro, puriri and rata, including the comparatively rare carmine rata. Several rare native ferns, orchids and shrubs are * m also present. ' -T-'-ufl1 The Dunn covenant is an excellent Mk example of the community response Dunn covenant, Puhoi engendered by the concept of voluntary protection and the event was an opportunity to acknowledge the range of He also thanked the members of other individuals and organisations who had conservation organisations and individuals contributed to the protection of this for the considerable physical and financial valuable area. assistance they had given towards The list includes: The Auckland completion of the very extensive fencing Natural History Club, Maruia Society, which had been necessary to protect the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, covenants. Whangarei Native Forest and Bird Diane Lucas, who chairs the Committee Protection Society Inc, NZ Native Forest for the Forest Heritage Fund, and Ross Restoration Trust Inc, NZ Lottery Grants Miller, representing the Board, Forest Heritage Fund and, of Lottery Grants Board, spoke about the course, the owners. financial assistance which their respective The occasion began at the head of the bodies were able to offer the National valley within sight of both covenant areas. Trust in its valuable work of protecting Because of the unpleasant weather some of New Zealand’s natural heritage. conditions, this stage was limited to a The occasion concluded with afternoon brief welcome and introduction by Walter tea provided by the local branch of the Willis followed by a quick look at the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society. covenants. Walter Willis The rest of the proceedings were then Auckland Representative transferred to a warmer and dryer venue in the Dunn’s woolshed. Dr Molloy deputised for the Trust’s Chairman, Sir Peter Elworthy, who was overseas. He told the visitors about the The work of the Trust’s work and achievements and Queen Elizabeth II thanked them for their support. He then presented Arthur and Val Dunn with J T National Trust Salmon’s book Native Flowers of New is supported by Zealand, and a cheque for the balance of the Trust’s contribution to the cost of fencing the covenant. In reply, Arthur Dunn thanked the Trust for its special recognition of the covenant and its assistance in making Lottery Grants Board protection of the bush possible. QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER 3

Further Lottery Grants Board Assistance

he Trust has been fortunate in three packages (word processing, successfully securing additional membership, and accounting) now fully T funding from the Lottery Grants operational and the fourth and largest Board. (covenant information) rapidly The latest grant is made up of the approaching this stage, an upgrade of following: the Trust’s computer network was ^|$90,000 for the establishment and required to achieve maximum benefit. management of open space covenants This included improving the response over wetlands. The need for wetland time of the network, extra protection is well known and this grant workstations and an extra printer. enables the Trust to respond to This work is now complete. landowner requests for assistance to Without this valuable support from the protect these vulnerable ecosystems. Lottery Grants Board the efficiencies (b) $16,875 to allow the completion of the possible with a computerised information entry of data into the covenant system would not have been fully information system. This is the final achieved. phase in establishing the Trust’s In addition, the wetlands grant will computer-based information system. assist the Trust in being able to protect a The grant has enabled the Trust to full range of land with open space values. employ two people on a part-time basis The National Trust is very grateful for the continued significant support of the to complete this task. Lottery Grants Board. (c) $16,875 for the upgrading of the Trust’s computer system. With the

From the Trust Manager

/■ t two recent National Trust when dealing with weed and pest control, events (the 500th covenant revegetation etc. commemoration - see page 1 and These gatherings generate a Tne Northland Field Day - see next issue) tremendous exchange of ideas not only attended by Directors Arthur Cowan and between covenantors themselves but Brian Molloy, and by the Trust Manager, between the Trust and covenantors. It is we met over 140 covenantors, landholders particularly important for members of the and supporters of the Trust. Board of Directors to meet and talk over This, in itself, is very enjoyable given issues of mutual interest and concern the range of ages, backgrounds and with landholders. interests represented by these people. The We hope to hold field days regularly considerable efforts in the interests of around the country from now on. The conservation undertaken quietly and next one will be held in the Wairarapa in cost-effectively, can only be admired. Also mid August. impressive is the landholders’ Tim Porteous commitment to managing these areas. Trust Manager Many of them adopt innovative techniques 4 QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER

New Directors

wo new directors appointed by the Minister of Conservation last Maui Pomare November have been welcomed to Maui Pomare, OBE, from Plimmerton, T near Wellington has been a member of the the Trust Board. National Trust’s Komiti Whenua Toitu since 1987. He is a leader in the Wellington (Ngati Maggie Bayfield Awa) Maori community and descended from the original tangata whenua of Wellington and has many tribal affiliations. | He received a Diploma of Agriculture from Massey University and farms his property ‘Hongoeka’ at Plimmerton, with his wife Louise. Their two children are studying at Victoria University. He has been involved in a very wide range of community areas including marae, agricultural organisations, charities, environmental groups and education. He is also a Justice of the Peace and Maggie Bayfield from Inglewood, served as President to the Royal is a plant ecologist and does a Federation of Justices of the Peace from variety of consulting work in this area. As 1985-90. well as being the Chairperson of the Taranaki-Wanganui Conservation Board she is an executive member of her local branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society. Maggie has worked for a range of agencies including the Department of Lands and Survey, the Taranaki Catchment Commission, Biological Resources Centre and the Department of Conservation. Maui was a member of the New She has worked on a botanical survey Zealand Historic Places Trust Council of scenic reserves in eastern Taranaki. from 1975-80, having previously chaired This was followed by Protected Natural the Maori Buildings and Advisory Area surveys and reports for the Egmont Committee of the Trust. Ecological Region and the North Taranaki He has been a trustee of the National District. She was also involved in the Art Gallery, National Museum and War initial implementation of the Egmont Memorial since 1977 and of the National Report which entailed liaising with Museum Council since 1978. He has landholders about mechanisms available chaired the Council since 1981. His most for protecting natural areas on private outstanding work has been in the area of land. conservation, repatriation of Maori Maggie is married with two young artefacts and the return of Mokomokai children. She enjoys landscape gardening from overseas, as well as his contribution in her leisure time. to the new Museum of New Zealand. QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER 5

Bowman’s Bush he National Trust formally recognised a significant T contribution to conservation in Southland on March 23. Chairman, Sir Peter Elworthy presented Mrs Majorie Bowman with a National Trust Benefactor Certificate at the 1.2 hectare reserve that bears her name. This marked the Trust’s appreciation of Mrs ^wman’s generosity, the faith she has ^Aced in the Trust and the Trust’s long term commitment to honour that. The area has never been logged and the larger native trees are thought to be 300 to 500 years old. Trust Southland Representative, Roger Sutton, says the reserve is probably the best example of modified indigenous podocarp forest in the Southland coastal strip. The bush was purchased by Mrs Bowman’s father, the late Dr John MacDonald of Invercargill in 1920. He bought it for its natural values and fenced and maintained it until his death. Mrs Bowman then became the owner, continuing to maintain and protect the bush, in accordance with her father’s wishes. In February 1986, after moving from her home adjoining the bush to Lake Hayes, Mrs Bowman sold the area to the National Trust as one lot. She could have sold the bush as three Sir Peter Elworthy presenting Mrs ^M-ime residential sites as it was the most Bowman with the Benefactors ^Biancially rewarding option. In addition Certificate. to her considerable generosity in selling About 50 people attended the early the land at much less than the market evening function at Bowman’s Bush. value Mrs Bowman agreed to a four year They included representatives of the local deferred payment period. authorities, Royal Forest and Bird The Otatara Community Board Protection Society, National Trust contributed 66 per cent of the purchase covenantors and members. A number of price, the Southland branch of the Royal Otatara residents have covenanted their Forest and Bird Protection Society 14 per properties. cent and the National Trust 20 per cent. The reserve is a valuable asset for The Invercargill City Council has taken Southland. It is freely accessible to the responsibility for the day to day public and offers education, scientific and management of the reserve and has recreational values. The purchase and entered into a formal management management arrangements enshrine the agreement. aspirations of Mrs Bowman’s father. 6 QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER

The Hodge Covenant Te Kowhai

ahikatea forest remnants are often a disappointment to their Kowners. After livestock are excluded with fencing many remnants sit for years without any signs of significant understorey regeneration. Instead, very often, they continue to grow only grass, inkweed and ragwort. This makes farmers wonder why they ever bothered to fence the remnants in the first place. John and Margaret Hodge’s kahikatea remnant at Te Kowhai near Hamilton was no exception. The 1.2 hectare area remained denuded of understorey native A school party visiting the Hodge vegetation for some time until steps were covenant. taken to alter this. Now it is an excellent example of what can be done to change a severely depleted grazed forest floor into a delightful, thriving, under-forest. The work started in the winter In 1978 Margaret Hodge, a New Zealand following the fencing. Species introduced flora enthusiast, fenced off the remnant included olearia, karo, tarata, kohuhu, from the dairy herd. Before this it had mahoe, kawakawa, pigeonwood, coprosma, been used for livestock shelter in winter tanekaha, lancewood, rata, pohutukawa, and shade in summer. Consequently the kamahi and kowhai. Also a number of trunks of its tall old trees were fern species were planted, the main ones surrounded by rank cocksfoot, fog, fescue being silver fern and mamaku. and little else. Planting was undertaken carefully with Strong competition from grasses meant proper holes being dug for each plant after that even though the adult trees fruited a good sized swath of grass was removed prodigiously, their seeds were prevented around each hole. Watering was carried from reaching the forest floor and out in summer and plants were regularl germinating. Also, in the odd places where released from the ever invasive grass the forest floor was bare and the seedlings species until each plant was firmly had emerged, the podocarps were so tall established. that the sunlight could not reach them on Care was also taken to ensure that the forest floor. plants were sited where sunlight was This discouraged their development and available. Only shade tolerant ferns were left them surviving in a ‘bonsai’ state of planted in darker under-storey areas. dormancy. The results of this work have been Therefore, Margaret Hodge decided to excellent and today it is difficult to push assist regeneration of the remnant by your way through the under-storey. Not clearing the grass away in the more sunlit only have the trees planted by Margaret areas and planting them with a wide Hodge done exceedingly well but the new range of seedlings, as well as by moving forest micro-climate has brought about the some of the dormant ones from the re-seeding of many of the trees which shaded areas. make up the canopy. Hence, young QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER 7

pukatea, titoki, nikau, kahikatea, tawa and planted along the windward side to shut rewarewa are now joining the planted out the under-storey draughts. species as competitors for space and This must then be followed by proper sunlight. planting and releasing programmes with This revegetation example shows what watering if at all possible. can be done to kahikatea remnants if If this is done the end will be a owners are prepared to carry out a proper sustainable forest of much variety and planting programme. The programme something like the Hodges’ - a pleasure to should start, according to Margaret walk through and a joy to look at. Hodge, with shelter plants such as flax, Stuart Chambers toetoe or even exotic tree lucerne being Waikato Representative

Castwoodhill Covenant

he Eastwoodhill Arboretum at The arboretum is the largest collection of some 35km inland from northern hemisphere temperate zone Gisborne, is among the more plants in New Zealand and possibly in the T southern hemisphere. recent areas to be protected by a registered open space covenant with the In order to secure Eastwoodhill for National Trust. posterity the property was purchased by Described as ‘The Jewel of Eastland’, Mr H B Williams in 1965. Mr Cook died the 131 hectare arboretum was in 1967. In 1975 the Eastwoodhill Trust established by Douglas Cook after his Board was established by its own Act of return to the Gisborne area following Parliament. The main function of the World War I. Mr Cook had been so Trust Board is to ‘maintain and develop impressed with English homes and Eastwoodhill as an arboretum and to use gardens that he resolved to create a its best endeavours to make the area beautiful park ‘in his lifetime’ at available to the public for educational and Eastwoodhill. recreational use’. Mr Cook took great care to collect and Eastwoodhill is internationally plant only first rate material so that today recognised for its botanical and ^Eastw(X)dhill has a collection of genetically educational values. It is visited by ^fturced material, some of which is now hundreds of people each year including ^nly available in the country of origin. many from around the world. To mark the completion of the open space covenant the National Trust presented a new entrance sign to the Eastwoodhill Trust Board. The sign, carved by Southland Representative Roger Sutton, was installed in April by Gisborne Representative, Richard White, assisted by David Summersby. Richard White has described Eastwoodhill as a very special covenant with inestimable values. He encourages all travellers to the Gisborne region to visit Eastwoodhill Arboretum the property. 8 QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER

International Consultation on Protected Mountain Areas

' m 'he following article is based on a further information, he believed New m report to the National Trust from Zealand had the most fully protected Deputy Chairman, Hamish Ensor. mountain chain in the world. At the end of October last year Trust All of the participants were involved ii^ Deputy Chairman, Hamish Ensor some form of mountain land research o^B attended the International Consultation on administration. A few lived in the Protected Mountain Areas - ‘Parks, Peaks mountains as park managers or and People’. supervisors. Held in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Hamish was the only member who it attracted 41 participants from 17 actually derived a living from a traditional countries. or semi traditional use of mountain The Consultation was sponsored by the resources. International Union of Conservation A number had each spent several years Nations (IUCN), East West Centre Hawaii living and working with indigenous and the United States National Park mountain people. He thought this was Service. Other New Zealanders present particularly valuable to the Consultation were Dr Les Molloy (Department of and was probably the single most Conservation) and Pat Devlin (Lincoln influencing factor in the outputs. University). Bing Lucas (IUCN and Chair New Zealand differs most from the of Commission on National Parks and other parts of the world because of the Protected Areas - CNPPA) was one of the very recent influence of humans and organisers and facilitators. grazing animals and their impact on the The Consultation was divided into a mountain environment. Elsewhere these number of themes covering issues that factors are much more traditional and are impact on Mountain Protected Areas the very things requiring protection. (MPA’s). These included international It appears that in many countries large borders, climate change, cultures and areas of mountain lands are nominated as economies, biodiversity, religious and parks or protected areas but then are noW sacred aspects, visitors and tourists, water managed to the extent that poor land us^B resources, landowners/users, design and practices continue. In nominating these management requirements. areas the politicians believe they are Bing Lucas gave one of the two formal significantly contributing to international papers presented. It gave participants a MPA’s. clear historical overview of the The outcomes of the Consultation were international MPA scene and some being forwarded to the IVth World Parks common threads for the establishment of Congress in Caracus, Venezuela. It is MPA’s. hoped that they will become the basis for The other paper was presented by Dr international guidelines for MPA’s. Jim Thorsell, CNPPA, IUCN of Gland, The outcomes are too detailed to list Switzerland. It covered a global inventory here however the quote is the first of two and assessment of MPA’s including some basic principles which, for Hamish, statistics. encapsulated most of the Consultation’s He commented that, subject to receiving outcomes. QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER 9

“Metaphysical Mountains dramatic development of its land 1. IUCN communicate to Protected resources, New Zealanders have a more Area management agencies the puristic and less integrated view about the need for greater awareness of protection of natural values than does the sacred and cultural values in rest of the world. MPA’s and the importance of “It is a perfectly natural reaction for consultation with local people in a comparatively sophisticated western formulating and applying policies community to endeavour to grab back and practices: anything that is left that looks - to ensure respect for remotely natural and protect it for its sacred/cultural sites and beliefs; intrinsic value before any more is lost. - to avoid or minimise conflicts And so we should, but not at the between protection of cultural expense of alienating people in the I and natural values.” process. 'Other outcomes will be listed more fully A sign of maturity will be in as an appendix to Hamish’s main report, accepting what we have changed and a copy of which will be made available to the mistakes we have made. We the National Trust’s library. should now concentrate our effort on making our surroundings a more Implications for the National Trust pleasant place to live while at the The essence of the Consultation was same time ensuring long term fully supportive of the principles and viability. A far more holistic approach philosophy that the National Trust to landscape and protected natural operates under. However all of the areas is required. There is an urgent discussion tended to be at the more basic need to include local communities in level of cultural rights and expectations the planning process to ensure the rather than at the level of individual support of the very people who have property rights such as the Trust deals to make it all work.” with. Hamish thanks his sponsor, the Lincoln Hamish concludes, after attending the University Foundation for his funding and forum, that due to New Zealand’s the National Trust for encouraging him to comparatively recent and therefore go-

* Reminder to Trust Members

o ensure that newsletters and it is important for the Regional other items of membership Representative to visit the new owner as interest continue to reach you soon as possible to establish contact and please remember to notify us of any discuss any concerns they may have. change of address. For covenant owners it is even more The work of the important as Clause 16 of the Covenant Document Second Schedule states: Queen Elizabeth II “The Owner shall notify the Trust of National Trust any change of ownership or control of all or any part of the land, and shall supply is supported by the Trust with the name and address of the Forest the new owner or lessee.” Heritage Fund. When ownership of a covenant changes 10 QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER

Open Space Covenants

y April 3,1992 there were 523 registered covenants, while a B further 489 were proceeding towards registration. RECENTLY REGISTERED COVENANTS

NORTH AUCKLAND DISTRICT Hamilton covenant, Awhitu 1. DUNN AJ & VF. Puhoi-Ahuroa Road, Peninsula about 6 km north-east of Puhoi. This is the second area that the A 7.10 ha forest remnant containing owners have covenanted on their some quality kauri has been property and it adjoins the existing covenanted. The area also contains a covenant area. diverse range of other species. It is Visible from the Puhoi-Ahuroa Road, close to a number of other registered the 39.69 ha forest remnant contains covenants. mature vegetation and is similar to the existing covenant area. It is SOUTH AUCKLAND DISTRICT predominantly taraire with some kauri 4. CROWNSHAW J & M. Joyce Rd, rickers. Rimu, kahikatea, totara, rata, Tauranga. kohekohe, maire, miro, rewarewa, The covenant protects 3.02 ha in two mapou, nikau and ponga are also areas. Both areas are steep slopes present. Rare species include redrock leading down to and bordering the rata and the fern Asplenium Waiorori Stream and form part of the hookerianum. The area features a catchment area for the Tauranga prominent rock outcrop. The addition water supply. The bush canopy is of the second area means that a block rewarewa and tree ferns with other of 89.64 ha is now protected. shrubs and ferns as an understorey. 5. NEW ZEALAND RURAL PROPERT0 2. HAMILTON K McR. Corner of Awhitu Rd and Tindall Rd, Awhitu TRUST (WP Edward). Marychurch Peninsula, Auckland. Road, Matangi, south-east of Hamilton. The covenant protects two areas of A covenant protects 3.02 ha of tall bush totalling 12 ha. A wide range of kahikatea forest. Other species include species are present including taraire, titoki, hinau, pukatea and mahoe. The puriri, kauri, kahikatea, rimu, miro, area is visible from Marychurch Road rewarewa, kohekohe, karaka and and provides a habitat for grey nikau. There are a number of warbler and fantail. registered covenants on the Awhitu Peninsula. 6. PARKINSON MD. 4 km up Maratoto Valley, north of Paeroa. 3. McNAUGHTON IS & E. Ponsford A whole title covenant is registered Road, 8 km north of Waiuku, Awhitu over this 386.64 ha property. It is Peninsula. almost surrounded by the Coromandel QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER 11

Forest Park. The Paikarahi Stream (Peel’s Creek) runs along the southern boundary. Trees include rimu, kauri, rewarewa, tawa, totara and towai. There are also a wide variety of ferns. It is a habitat for tui and bellbird. The owner has also covenanted another area nearby. 7. EASTWOODHILL TRUST BOARD. Ngatapa, on Gisborne-Wharekopae Highway, 35 km NW of Gisborne. Eastwoodhill, an internationally recognised arboretum of northern hemisphere trees, shrubs and climbers, with a recently established New Zealand section has been protected by covenant. The 131.02 ha area is visited by many hundreds of people each year. There are over 340 genera of trees, shrubs and climbers with over 2600 species, natural varieties and . Rata tree, Barton covenant WELLINGTON DISTRICT 8. MATAKITAKI TRUST TRUSTEES. Cape Palliser, 55 km south-west of One area of 346.12 ha contains scrub Martinborough, South Wairarapa. and hardwoods with manuka, tauhinu Three covenants protect a total of and broom. The second block of 197.89 819.12 ha of Maori land in three ha comprises a range of species blocks on the South Wairarapa coast. including kamahi, maire; mahoe, The blocks stretch back from the hinau, karamu, ngaio and kanuka. coast to 800 metres above sea level The third block of 275.11 ha contains and are surrounded by the Haurangi a coastal platform which has a strong Forest Park. association with the early Maori navigator Kupe. There are also some ancient Maori stone walls. 9. BARTON RT & BM. Woodside, 6.8 km from Greytown. Four areas of regenerating forest and wetland totalling 242.80 ha have been protected by covenant. The largest area adjoins the Tararua Forest Park. At the southern end manuka is dominant. The middle section contains rewarewa and ponga and the top end features mature beech forest with rimu and matai. A small wetland area mmm is dominated by kahikatea with pukatea, tawa, titoki, ti kouka and Matakitaki covenant - northern end some rimu. 12 QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER

Newcombe covenant

10. BLUNDELL MN. 35 km east of already covenanted on the property. Masterton on the Riversdale Road. There is a wide variety of species One of the few bush areas visible from present including tawa, hinau, the Masterton - Riversdale Road has pukatea, rewarewa, maire and titoki. been covenanted. Situated on steep hill One area features a very large rata. country the 20.40 ha bush is Situated on easily erodible, sandstone important for erosion control. The hill country, the bush is important for covenant area contains a wide variety erosion control. of established and regenerating species including rewarewa, maire, totara, tawa, nikau, kanuka and ferns. 11. NEWCOMBE RW & BN. 2 km north of Rewa on the Cheltenham - Vinegar Hill Road, northwest of Marton. A covenant protects 50.20 ha of regenerating bush in a large deep gully. There are many regenerating species and some big totara trees. 12. POTTINGER A & J. Anerley, Tinui, 70 km from Masterton. Two areas of bush totalling 15.80 ha Manuka and kanuka with have been protected in addition to two regenerating understory at Blundell other areas that the owners have Covenant QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER 13

13. FREEMAN DJ. Ngaumu, 25 km from remnant. Situated in hill country it Masterton on the Motukai Road. contains a large number of totara, A covenant protects 6.10 ha of bush in miro, matai and maire with a wide a district with very little regenerating variety of other species. bush. There is a wide range of species present including hinau, rewarewa, TARANAKI DISTRICT putaputaweta, lemonwood, totara and 16. ASHTON R. Lower Durham Road, ti kouka. near Inglewood. 14. FRENCH LS & CM. ‘Beauley’, 36 km A 0.83 ha bush area situated on both from Masterton on the Castlepoint sides of a stream has been covenanted. Road. It contains some very large old tawa Situated on the southern side of the as well as large pukatea, titoki and Taipo range, a 41.00 ha bush area has rewarewa. The bush has been fenced been protected. The covenant area for over 25 years and is an excellent contains several large pukatea and example of Taranaki forest. matai at the bottom of some gullies. Other existing species include titoki, HAWKES BAY DISTRICT tall kanuka, kahikatea, rewarewa, 17. CLARKE AWR & OE. Nuhaka River matipo and nikau. Road, north west of Mahia. A covenant protects 2.87 ha of bush 15. BUNNY TW & DK. Te Roto, 18 km on a steep, erosion prone scarp which northeast of Masterton on the overlooks the River Road. Kohekohe is Bideford Road. the dominant species with kahikatea, A covenant protects a 10.20 ha forest matai, rimu and pigeon wood.

French covenant 14 QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER

A covenant protects 6.70 ha of regenerating podocarp contained in a steep gully. Clearly visible from Downs Road the remnant contains totara, kahikatea, matai, mahoe, fuchsia, tarata and kanuka. Woodpigeon, bellbird and shining cuckoo are common. This remnant is representative of podocarp forest once common on the Geraldine downlands. OTAGO DISTRICT 22. CITY FORESTS LTD (Dunedin City Council). Toko Mouth Road, adjacen to the Toko River estuary, south of Lochnagar, Borrell covenant Milton. A covenant protects 22.50 ha of NELSON DISTRICT lowland fresh water swamp. There 18. BRERETON PCM & N. Next to SH 1, are extensive areas of rushes and 20 km south of Motueka. sedges with some flax, coprosma, ti A 3.50 ha remnant of mixed kouka and manuka. The area is podocarp-beech forest has been adjacent to the estuarine marshlands protected by covenant. It was fenced of the Toko Mouth area and provides a about 10 years ago and a strong habitat for fernbird. understorey has emerged under the canopy. The remnant is of particular 23. BORRELL A & L. ‘The Branches’ botanical interest because it is a station, Mid Shotover, 50km from meeting point of coastal associations Queenstown. and beech-podocarp vegetation. Two large areas on one of the remotest runs in New Zealand have been CANTERBURY DISTRICT covenanted. Sixteen Mile Creek, 1020 19. BATES PJ & AM. At the head of ha, is a valley clad with patches of Gough’s Bay, Bank’s Peninsula. regenerating beech forest. At its head The 12.81 ha covenant is an extension is a high hanging valley over which to an area on the property that was the Alexander McKay Falls drop to previously covenanted. It is dominated Sixteen Mile Creek. The area is used by Hall’s totara. There is a wide range by an increasing number of trampers of other species present. and tourists. ^ Lochnagar, 400 ha, features a high 20. PRICE’S VALLEY PASTURES LTD altitude lake and surrounding land. It (D & N Thomas). is geologically significant being Price’s Valley, 50 km from considered one of the best South on the Akaroa Highway. Island examples of a giant rock slide A 4.00 ha podocarp remnant has been and dam/lake behind it. protected. The covenant area is regarded as the best of its kind 24. WALKER BA & G. Anderson Road, remaining on Bank’s Peninsula. The 7 km east of Palmerston, 57 km Price’s Valley Road passes through the north-east of Dunedin. covenant and therefore it has a high A covenant protects a 7.61 ha coastal visual impact. area next to a lagoon. The protected area contains a coastal strip, sand 21. WOODS SJ & CE. 8 km from dunes and an estuary. The area is also Geraldine, on Pleasant Valley Road. significant fcr wildlife, forming part of QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER 15

a chain of feeding and resting grounds for migratory birds along the South Island east coast. SOUTHLAND DISTRICT 25. JOHNSTON NK & CB. Myross Bush, 3 km north-east of Invercargill. A lowland podocarp forest remnant has been protected by covenant. The 12.71 ha area has never been logged and has been in the family for over 50 years. It contains large mature rimu, matai, miro, kahikatea and pokaka. Some natural wet areas have allowed for added diversity of vegetation. Birds including native pigeon, tui, bellbird, fantail, grey warbler, silver eye and brown creeper are abundant.

Walker covenant

Rating Powers Amendment Act, 1992 or many years some territorial protected with the National Trust. They authorities have given rating relief can set their criteria for rate remission as F to covenant owners. This part of the policy. Covenant owners could recognised the benefits to the community, then apply under those criteria. The and the often significant cost to the territorial authority must give public landholder, of covenanting a valuable open notice of all decisions to remit rates and ^race feature on their property. However owners should be aware of this when they ^piny authorities felt unable to give rate make application. However it does remission as the statutes were unclear on recognise the territorial authorities' this matter. accountability to other ratepayers. The National Trust has, for some years, In recent years the Trust has found tried to get the situation rectified. Despite territorial authorities very supportive of submissions to the Rating Powers Bill in rating relief especially when they fully 1987 and attempts to get legislative understand the contribution being made change since, the Trust has been by covenant owners to protecting New frustrated in its attempts. However it is Zealand’s natural and cultural heritage. gratifying that these efforts, and those of The National Trust has written to all supportive covenantors and councils, have territorial authorities in the hope that resulted in the Amendment Act. they will develop policies and criteria on Under this Act, territorial authorities rate remission as soon as possible so can adopt a policy of rate remission or covenant owners can benefit from this postponement for land voluntarily timely legislative change. 16 QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER

The Pollok Covenant At Colville

im and Fay Pollok purchased their 56 hectare forest remnant behind J the small township of Colville on the Coromandel Peninsula, in 1979. They wanted to protect the area before it was lost to development. They also wanted to protect it from soil erosion, a problem Jim was well aware of and concerned about since his days as a lecturer in Soil Science at Massey University. Their main goal however, was to save a small piece of New Zealand as a Kauae-O-Maui habitat for birds, and for people who had a love for bush. Purchasing this area achieved all of with fantail, grey warbler, silvereye and their goals but the Polloks wanted more. bellbirds greeting you almost as soon as They wished to see the area firmly you walk into the bush. Pigeons can be protected by law and protected in seen flying across below and kingfishers perpetuity, so in 1985 they approached the are common. The bellbird dawn chorus is National Trust for a covenant. quite impressive. About the same time they also built a Most of the Polloks summer visitors, small Lockwood type house right in the after spending some time out on the bush to use as a summer retreat, verandah high above the valley, are especially after their retirement. This little usually escorted to the high point behind the house which is known as Te cottage now sits at the head of a wide Kauae-O-Maui (the chin of Maui). This gully and fits snugly into the surrounding vantage point provides a 360 degree view, kanuka vegetation while retaining a wide looking to Auckland and Rangitoto Island view to the north over the Colville in the north-west, to Mount Moehau in Harbour. There is no power connected to the the north-east, and back to the Hauraki cottage and none is wanted as the aim is Plains to the south. i to get away from everything. Cooking is However, the greatest feature of a visl to this area is its privacy. As soon as you done on either a gas or firewood stove and enter the ten minute walking track to the water is heated the same way. Nevertheless, the people from Colville house there is a sense of solitude, a feeling town always know when the Polloks are which is now difficult to find. When you in residence because their single gas light arrive at the house and collapse in the appears like starlight from below in the peace of kanuka, with bellbirds right at clear Coromandel air. hand, you feel you never want to leave. It This lovely area of bush is rich not only is then you appreciate what the Polloks in kanuka but has trees such as kauri, have achieved. rimu, tanekaha, puriri, taraire, kohekohe Stuart Chambers and rewarewa. Bird life is also plentiful Waikato Representative QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER 17

Trust Farewells Two Representatives

ecently two National Trust between the Trust and Martin, among Representatives left the Trust other things, through his own covenant R due to pressure of other work. and the significant revegetation programme in it. Martin Conway Martin has been Regional John Murphy Jkresentative for Nelson, Marlborough John was the first Trust Regional north Westland since mid 1988. Representative for Taranaki and the During his time with the Trust, Martin Wanganui districts, appointed in has been involved with some very exciting December 1990. proposals, many of which incorporated During this time a number of Martin’s personal and professional interesting and valuable covenant areas interest in landscape protection. Much has came forward, engendered by John’s been achieved but some will take time to enthusiasm for the cause. This same finalise. enthusiasm was also applied to the wider Martin’s groundwork will bear fruit in interests of the Trust in Taranaki. He future, particularly in Golden Bay, Nelson played an integral part in establishing the and Marlborough. Watch this space! ‘Friends of Hollard Gardens’ last year. He leaves with the very best wishes for John’s many other commitments, to a continuing success of his landscape large scale dairy unit and to a variety of architecture practice and nursery further interests, have forced John to business. There will be continuing contact resign from the Trust. We wish him well.

Alistair Duncan Visits China n May, Tupare Curator Alistair weimanifolia, Piptanthns tomentosa, Duncan visited northern Yunnan in Mangletia insignis and a pink form of i China. He was a member of a group delavayi. Also in the offing is a organised through white double form of Camellia reticulata. ^ust at the invitation of the Department Superior forms of some Botany, University of Kunming. were found including a magnificent He reports that the object of the visit Rhododendron dichroanthum. Alistair says was to evaluate plant material suitable for that to wade through fields of R. New Zealand and not yet cultivated here. racemosum and R.hippophaeoides at 10,662 The tour covered some 2500 kilometres ft or to lunch under arching bowers of R. from Kunming to Dali, to Lijiang and on sinocarpum at 12000 ft, pink blooms up to the Tibetan plateau near Zhongdian. glistening in the mist, Abies delavayi, Here they were only the third group of bright yellow R. ladeum and white R. westerners allowed into that area. Alistair fictoladeum disappearing far across the was also among the few in the group to valleys, is an unforgettable sight. climb to the top of the 14000 ft Mount He feels that there is no doubt that the Cangshan. Trust’s gardens and New Zealand As a result of the visit, interesting plant generally will soon benefit from the visit. material likely to come to New Zealand “There is much to gain from the close includes Catalpa ducluxiana, a pink links forged with our hosts and the free Campylatropis, Dipelta, Pistasia exchange of ideas and expertise” he says. 18 QEII NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER

New Regional Representatives

he Trust is pleased to introduce horticultural crops, livestock farming, two new Regional forestry and tree crops as well as T Representatives. agribusiness and politics. Marie and her husband Richard Croad live on a one-hectare property on the coastal highway, between Nelson and Motueka. It looks out over the Waimea, Estuary and they are revegetating a sm bush gully as part of making their property a large garden. In her spare time Marie enjoys mountain biking, sea-kayaking and snow skiing. She looks forward to working with the National Trust.

Marie Taylor Marie Taylor has taken over from Martin Conway as the Nelson-Marlborough Representative for the National Trust. Marie, a rural journalist with Ross Bishop qualifications in horticulture and Ross Bishop in the new Trust journalism, has just set up her own representative for Taranaki, taking over business called Bronte Stories. She will from John Murphy. also be lecturing on print journalism at Born in Inglewood, Ross has lived all Nelson Polytechnic. She worked for the his life in Taranaki and has a long history Nelson Evening Mail for the past five of involvement with the land. He and his years and before that worked in wife Helen who have a grown up family Whangarei for the Northern Advocate. of three, currently farm a 21 hectare Marie was born and raised on a sheep drystock unit in the Koru district inland farm at Knapdale in Southland, where her from Oakura. parents still live. The property is close to Egmont She has enjoyed writing about a wide National Park where he spends time variety of land-based issues including pursuing two of his great interests, the QEH NATIONAL TRUST NEWSLETTER 19

study of native orchids and ferns. will, Ross believes, add another reason to Ross’s other interests include his long list of good reasons for going membership of the local Royal Forest and bush. Bird Protection Society and Ornithological He is looking forward to meeting and Society. working with Taranaki people interested Being involved with the National Trust in protecting their natural landscape.

High Country Involvement

he National Trust recognises that open space (landscape) protection in the the South Island high country high country. T contains a diversity of landscapes The National Trust believes that its ranging from those that are essentially activities can significantly contribute to unmodified to those that are the result of effective open space protection without the interactions of natural and cultural impinging on the rights of the lessor (the processes. These landscapes include Crown) or lessees. The Trust policy notes special features and values that deserve that in general open space covenants protection in perpetuity for the benefit of covering extensive areas of a pastoral future generations. leaseholding would be agreed to subject to Much of the South Island high country conditions set out in a management plan. is leased to property holders by Crown As management of covenanted areas pastoral leases which place certain remains the responsibility of the restrictions on land use change which leaseholder in accordance with the terms may impact on the landscape. negotiated for each covenant, the The role the Trust can play in achieving provisions of a management plan would landscape protection objectives in the high be worked out between the leaseholder, country has been recognised since the the Trust, and the Commissioner of early 1980s. More recently there has been Crown Lands as lessor. a growing interest by Crown pastoral The policy statement focuses on the lessees in entering into open space statutory situation as far as the Trust’s covenant arrangements with the Trust. own responsibilities are concerned, while ^^Recognising that there is both an recognising the statutory responsibilities |^p:reasing desire by lessees to formally of other agencies involved in the ^fotect open space values on their management of Crown pastoral leasehold leaseholding together with significant land. Existence of the policy will ensure public interest in many aspects of high that covenant proposals involving land in country management, the Trust has the high country will generally be adopted a policy to clarify its work in assessed in a uniform way. i Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Board August 1992 Appointed by the Minister of Conservation in terms of the QEII National Trust Act 1977

CHAIRMAN Margaret Bayfield of Inglewood Sir Peter Elworthy of Timaru DIRECTORS Elected by National Trust Members: Hamish Ensor of Methven. Arthur Cowan MBE of Otorohanga. Maui Pomare OBE, JP, of Wellington Dr Brian Molloy of Christchurch Trust Manager: Tim Porteous

Regional Representatives August 1992 NORTHLAND AUCKLAND WAIKATO Fenton Hamlin Walter Willis Stuart Chambers PO Box 68 10 First Avenue 649 River Road Kerikeri Stanley Point Hamilton Tel: 0-9-407 8573 Auckland Tel: 0-7-855 9939 Tel: 0-9-445 3595

BAY OF PLENTY TARANAKI/WANGANUI SOUTH WAIRARAPA Stephen Parr Ross Bishop Ben Thorpe PO Box 444 60 Plymouth Road 43B London Road Tauranga RD 4 Korokoro, Petone Tel: 0-7-578 7658 Home Tel: 0-4-569 1887 0-7-577 6129 Work Tel: 0-6-752 7339

GISBORNE MANAWATU/HAWKES BAY/ NELSON/MARLBOROUGH NORTH WAIRARAPA Richard White Marie Taylor 14 Seymour Road Eddie Suckling Bronte Road East Gisborne 8 Wikiriwhi Crescent RD 1, Upper Moutere Tel: 0-6-868 8269 Nelson Tel: 0-6-357 5726 Tel: 0-3-540 2435

CANTERBURY OTAGO SOUTHLAND Graham Dunbar Ian Williamson Roger Sutton 19 Hadlow Place 32 McKenzie Drive 16 Vogel Street Christchurch 8004 Twizel Invercargill Tel: 0-3-358 8278 Tel: 0-3-435 0595 Tel: 0-3-215 7810

Published by: Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust, PO Box 3341, Wellington. Colenso House, 138 The Terrace, Wellington. Telephone 0-4-472 6626 Registered at PO Headquarters Wellington as a Newsletter.