Akatarawa Forest Akatarawa Forest Akatarawa Park-specific management and policies and management Park-specific 6 Park-specific management and policies
6.1 Akatarawa Forest remain in parts of the Akatarawa Forest. In addition, small but significant, stands of the 6.1.1 Legal status original montane totara/kamahi and miro/ Title held: Wellington Regional kamahi forest remain on high ridges around Council the peaks of Mounts Maunganui, Wainui, Titi and Barton. Legislative status: Administered under Local Government Akatarawa Forest’s ecological values Act 2002, Wellington are regionally important and include Regional Water representative examples of original montane Board Act 1972 and lowland forest inhabitants, including Territorial Authority: Kapiti Coast District rare ferns, and a rich bird life. Each of the Council, Upper Hutt region’s surviving indigenous bird species City Council are found here, including long-tailed cuckoos, tui, whitehead and New Zealand falcon. The land is held fee simple for the purposes Importantly, Akatarawa Forest links with of recreation, forestry and water supply, other publicly held land, making it part of vested pursuant to the Wellington Regional the ecological corridor between the Tararua, Water Board Act 1972, and subject also to the Rimutaka Ranges and Orongorongo. Wellington Regional Council (Water Board Functions) Act 2005. Māori sites of significance are limited, as there were few early permanent Māori settlements Refer to Appendix 2 for legal description of in the area. Māori often moved through the land parcels. area travelling to the Wairarapa and the west coast. It was an area of mahinga kai used 6.1.2 Background extensively for hunting birds and fishing, as Akatarawa Forest is located in the steep hill well as gathering forest foods and materials. country of the Akatarawa Ranges, from the Ngāti Toa Rangātira and Wellington based west of the Hutt Valley to the Kapiti Coast. Taranaki iwi retain mana whenua over the The forest covers 15,500 hectares and is the lands. European settlers logged the area for its largest forest/park managed by Greater valuable timber resources, including rimu and Wellington. It contains pockets of original and totara. Old logging tracks and milling relics larger regenerating lowland podocarp forest, are scattered throughout the forest. as well as areas of exotic plantations. The Akatarawa Forest also includes approximately forest has important environmental, cultural 3,000 hectares of exotic species, mainly mixed and heritage values, and provides for a wide age pine and macrocarpa forest (part of range of recreational opportunities. Greater Wellington’s plantation forests). In terms of the lower North Island, the These exotic forests include the Whakatikei, area’s indigenous values are considered to Valley View, Hukinga, Maungakotukutuku, be ecologically significant. There are several Akatarawa Saddle and Puketiro blocks. wetlands in the Akatarawa and Whakatikei These are managed primarily for commercial River catchments. Past logging of podocarp purposes but also provide some recreational from large areas of the Akatarawa Forest opportunities. This plan does not cover the has left a mosaic of forest, bush and shrub forestry operations or harvesting, as these lands, which provide for a high diversity of are covered by the five-year harvest plan and bird and insect life. Some 1,000 hectares of annual cutting plan of the forestry harvest original lowland podocarp forest and 500 contractor. hectares of red beech/miro/rimu forest still
PARKS NETWORK PLAN JULY 2011 35 Akatarawa Forest provides the opportunity Holding the land for future water collection for backcountry oriented recreation. The area purposes does not preclude access to and has become the main location for motorised recreational use of these areas but does recreation (vehicles and bikes), utilising the provide a “bottom-line” for management. road network for forestry and track, both past and present. It is also an important area for Off-road recreation mountain biking (including the internationally The Akatarawa Forest is one of the few places renowned Karapoti Classic mountain bike in the Wellington region where the wider course), as well as hunting. The Cannon Point community can undertake off-road activities Walkway and Birchville Dam are popular with with motorbikes, quads and 4WD vehicles. walkers, while trampers and hunters use the The area also caters for a range of mountain more remote track network. Various groups, biking and multisport events. The Akatarawa including the Army and Police, carry out Recreational Access Committee (ARAC) exercises in the forest. whose membership is made up of 4WD, off-road enthusiasts and other like minded Land status ‑ a future water collection area groups who use the Akatarawa Forest for The Akatarawa and Pakuratahi Forests are a range of recreation opportunities, jointly potential water sources for the region’s future developed the Motorised Recreation User generations. The term future water collection Code and Management Guidelines (1997) areas refer to land held under the Wellington with Greater Wellington.11 Regional Water Board Act 197210 for water ARAC was formed to be a voice for the supply purposes that are not yet used for user groups within the forests and is one of water supply. Some land is also held and/or many groups that work alongside Greater used for exotic plantation forestry. Full legal Wellington to promote the values of the descriptions of the land parcels can be found parks and develop opportunities to be in the Appendix 2. involved. Refer to Map 20 for a map of the area Protecting and sustaining the water resource approved for use by motorised recreation, for future generations is paramount and and to Greater Wellington website for more is achieved by protecting and sustainably information. managing the forest ecosystems. This plan provides a framework for this management. 6.1.3 Park key characteristics Vegetation binds the soil, helping maintain the Land area’s physical and ecological integrity that • Future water supply area in turn influences water quality, particularly in steep forested areas. Rivers, streams and • Native forested areas including original wetlands directly contribute to water quality montane and lowland forest (regionally and the values of these resources must be significant) and wetlands maintained. In the past, land management • Important ecological linkages from the focused on water quality values alone. Kapiti Coast to the Tararua Ranges However, an important outcome of that • Productive landscape (commercial management is the significant contribution to plantation forestry). regional indigenous biodiversity.
10 Wellington Regional Council (Water Board Functions) 11 The motorised recreation user code outlines the restrictions Act 2005. and behaviour standards necessary to meeting statutory obligations protecting the environment, other recreational users and adjoining landowners.
36 PARKS NETWORK PLAN JULY 2011 People 6.1.5 Specific policies for Akatarawa Forest
• History of logging and associated historic Biodiversity and ecosystems structures a. To have particular regard for the high • Remote experiences, including tramping priority indigenous areas when and hunting on forestry roads, tracks determining ecosystem protection and and routes enhancement priorities, as listed in Table 2. • Motorised recreation in a remote location, including 4WD, motorcycle and quad Landscape and geological features bike events b. To protect the park’s key landscape • Karapoti area for mountain biking, features and values from inappropriate use including an annual national mountain and development, specifically: biking event. • The steep forested valleys and crest of hilltops 6.1.4 Management focus • The backdrop of Mt Wainui to the The primary focus for Akatarawa Forest is to: Kapiti Coast. 1. Manage the water resource within the future water collection area to ensure Cultural heritage that it is healthy and that its potential c. To protect significant modified landscape as a sustainable source of secure, fresh, features of the Birchville dam, historic clean water for the region in the future is logging tramways and any associated protected historic logging structures. 2. Ensure there is provision for water supply Land management infrastructure as required. d. To keep Mt Wainui remote area free from The secondary focus is to: formal tracks and developments. 3. Protect the native forest vegetation e. To preserve existing small-scale exotic 4. Manage forestry production on a rotational woodlots and stands through their natural basis life for amenity values and cultural 5. Ensure a range of back-country associations, and upon the demise of these recreational experiences are offered stands, to leave the land to regenerate in indigenous forest, unless it is located 6. Manage the current network of tracks for within existing plantation forest. activities including motorised recreation f. To allow for the development of the 7. Allow wind energy development on Greater Wellington Regional Council selected ridgelines. approved wind farm development adjacent to Battle Hill Farm Forest Park, and associated utility infrastructure.
PARKS NETWORK PLAN JULY 2011 37 Visitor services m. To maintain the following secondary g. To offer varied opportunities for park entrances: users by providing multiple use tracks and • Via Battle Hill Regional Park (ridge facilities where possible, appropriate and entrance) compatible with the primary management • Bulls Run/Cooks Road (off Moonshine outcome of future water supply. Road) h. To allow public access on foot or bicycle to • Valley View Road (Totara Park – Upper all parts of the park, subject to: Hutt) • Temporary or localised restrictions • Tulsa Park and Bridge Road (Totara where plantation forestry operations are Park and Upper Hutt). taking place n. To require applicants to give three months • Other management purposes (including notice and public notification of any but not limited to: spraying, fire closure of the Akatarawa Forest. management and pest management). i. To allow public access by motorised Partnership in parks vehicles on designated tracks subject to: o. To recognise Ngāti Toa Rangatira and the • All clubs and individuals following Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust’s the principles of Tread Lightly and the relationship to the park through: Motorised Recreational User Code and • Participation in assessment of the Management Guidelines 1997 significant features of the park • Periodic or localised restrictions, eg, • Identification of traditional trails when plantation forestry operations through the park. occur. p. To support a partnership approach to j. To maintain with ARAC and community maintaining the Akatarawa catchment input, the Orange Hut, as a shelter for through: recreationalists in the forest. • Maintaining water quality of the k. To liaise with Upper Hutt City Council and Akatarawa catchment Kapiti Coast District Council regarding • Protecting and enhancing the provision of vehicle parking areas and indigenous forest cover and insect and other facilities at park entrances. bird life l. To manage the following as the main • Maintaining the habitat for indigenous public entrances: fish. • Maungakotukutuku (Raumati – off q. To support the partnership with Maungakotukutuku Road) ARAC (Akatarawa Recreational Access • Karapoti (Upper Hutt – off Karapoti Committee) in meeting the outcomes of Road). this plan. r. To ensure that any new partnerships contribute to an advocacy, restoration or education outcome for Akatarawa Forest.
38 PARKS NETWORK PLAN JULY 2011 Table 2 – Significant indigenous environmental areas and features – Akatarawa Forest
Area Description Reasons for significance
General Indigenous bird, fish and Threatened species: macroinvertebrate habitat kaka (nationally endangered) New Zealand falcon (nationally vulnerable) kereru (gradual decline) yellow crowned ka–ka–riki (gradual decline) long finned eel (gradual decline) giant kokopu (gradual decline) dwarf galaxiids (gradual decline) koura (gradual decline).
Mt Wainui Lowland to montane miro Regional example of montane miro-kamahi forest. rimu/kamahi forest on lower hill Contains rare ferns and original pre-European slopes; montane halls totara – forest types for the area. Relatively unmodified kamahi forest on upper on upper slopes. hill slopes Snow grass species are found at the summit. Adiantum fulvum (regionally sparse) Adiantum viridescens (regionally sparse) Streblus banksii (nationally sparse).
Mt Barton, Hill slopes and summits: Representative examples of montane podocarp Maunganui, Montane miro-kamahi forest. – broadleaved forest types, little modified from Titi and Wainui Main ridges: Montane Halls pre-European times. Summits totara – kamahi forest. Hall’s totara-kamahi forest occurs on only two peaks in the Region ‑ Mt Wainui and Maunganui. Maunganui and Wainui summits identified in the Kapiti Coast District Council District Plan’s Heritage Register (E17).
Upper Akatarawa Lowland to montane red beech/ One of few remaining large areas of accessible Valley rimu/kamahi forest and rimu/ and reasonably unmodified native forest. rata/hinau/kamahi forest. Contains excellent stands of Hall’s totara. Lowland podocarp/kamahi High scenic and recreational value. forest; lowland to montane Important habitat and natural corridor values. hard beech forest; montane Identified in the Kapiti Coast District Council kamahi forest District Plan’s Heritage Register (E17). Significant species: Brachyglottis kirkii var kirkii – Kirks Tree Daisy (nationally serious decline, regionally critical) Drucella integristipula (a threatened liverwort only known from a handful of sites in New Zealand) Trichomanes strictum – fern (nationally sparse, regionally data deficient) Trichomanes colensoi – fern (nationally sparse, regionally critical) Trichomanes elongatum – fern (regionally critical), Grammitus pseudociliata – strap fern (regionally deficient data) Hymenophyllum atrovirens (nationally sparse, regionally critical).
PARKS NETWORK PLAN JULY 2011 39 Area Description Reasons for significance
Akatarawa, West Unmodified red beech forest In the 1980s this area was recommended to become Deep Creek, with some podocarp forest a formally recognised as a conservation area. Plateau to the north Ka-ka-riki are present in numbers. Identified in the Kapiti Coast District Council District Plan’s Heritage Register (E17).
Draper’s Flat Raupo wetland Akatarawa wetlands: these wetlands all provide Martin’s River Kahikatea swamp important examples of threatened wetland ecosystems. Whakatikei Kahikatea, sphagnum moss Martin’s River and Whakatikei headwater Headwaters Manuka, sphagnum moss wetlands have been identified as wetlands Valley View of national importance for biodiversity.
6.1.6 Projected changes 6.1.7 Park maps
Refer to Map 4 (following pages). The following pages contain: • Work with the Department of • Map 3: Akatarawa Forest in 2010 Conservation and other landowners to • Map 4: Akatarawa Forest projected develop recreational links to the Kapiti future changes. Coast and Queen Elizabeth Park. • Proposed or potential renewable-energy For more information and water supply development. Regional Forest Lands Resource Statement • Undertake wetland restoration projects. (Greater Wellington, 2008) • Monitor effects of pest control programmes.
40 PARKS NETWORK PLAN JULY 2011 Paekakariki Hill Road
AKATARAWA FOREST Battle Hill Farm Forest in 2010 Park Natural Features (GWRC) Horokiri Stream Natural vegetation 0 1 2 3 km 0.5 Plantation forest Abbott 433m Pasture / grass
Puketiro Rivers and streams Wainui Queen Elizabeth Park Forest 722m (GWRC) High point
Whareroa Farm Park Park Facilities: Roads and Tracks Bulls R Puketiro Road (DOC) Whakatiki 552m Forest Forest Roads un Ro
Wainui Campbell’s Mill Rd Unmaintained link road a
d
S Orange tream Valley Road Cooks Hut Perhams Road Shared track (refer to Rules) Road Road Hydro Road Walking track Clearys Road Hydro Motocross Titi Road Marked route Track Toi Toi Road Norms Kapiti 4x4 Whakatiki Road Rimu Road Crossing Licence Moonshine Road Maungakotukutuku Park Facilities: General Titi Stream entrance Dopers Cre Titi Major Entrance with sign 613m Whakatikei River Minor Entrance with map board Hutt River e k Maungakotukutuku (DOC) Activity Centre has: Martins C Information displays
Maunganui Car park reek 708m Picnic area McGhies Airstrip McGhies Pram Track Devil’s Toilets Woolshed Road Bridge Hukinga Cannon Drive Road Forest Staircase PARKS NETWORK PLANJULY 2011 Point 345m Valley View Road Lookout Cannon Point Price’s Flat Kar 4x4 Akatarawa River Rock Leases and licences apo Walkway West licence Hukinga Road Garden t i Totara G Heritage Feature Valley org Park e View entrance Valley View Deadwood Wilderness camping Road Forest Cedarholm 575m Birchville Dam Creek Road entrance Little Akatarawa River Hunting (refer to Rules) Bridge Road Road UPPER Deadwood State H entrance Karapoti HUTT Mt Barton Little Akatarawa entrance 627m Other Features Karapoti Road Forest ig h w Public Road a y Akatarawa River 2 Gate
Akatarawa Road Deadwood Stream Public Reserves Tararua (external to park) 41 Forest Park (DOC) Power pylons lines Kaitoke Regional Park State Highway Pakuratahi Forest Park (GWRC) (GWRC) Paekakariki Hill Road
AKATARAWA FOREST- To be read in conjunction 42 Battle Hill with 2010 map Farm Forest Projected future changes Park PARKS NETWORK PLANJULY 2011 (GWRC) Horokiri Stream 0 0.5 1 2 3 km Windfarm Abbott Proposed windfarm 433m access road ridgline corridors
Puketiro Wainui Queen Elizabeth Park Forest Proposed windfarm 722m (GWRC) ridgline corridors Whareroa Farm Park Bulls Run Road Puketiro Road (DOC) Whakatiki
552m Forest Wainui S Wainui Campbell’s Mill Rd
Orange 2 tream Valley Road Cooks Hut Perhams Road Road Hydro Road Road
Clearys Road Hydro Motocross Titi Road Track Toi Toi Road Norms Whakatiki Road Rimu Road Crossing Moonshine Road Maungakotukutuku Titi Stream entrance Dopers Cre Titi Proposed water storage dam Whakatikei River 613m and approximate shoreline Hutt River e k Maungakotukutuku (DOC) Martins Creek
Maunganui 708m McGhies Airstrip McGhies Pram Track Devil’s Woolshed Road Bridge Hukinga Cannon Drive Road Forest Staircase Point 345m 1 Ecology Valley View Road Cannon Point Price’s Flat Ka 1 Indigeneous forest health
r Akatarawa River Rock apo Walkway West Hukinga Road Garden t i 2 Whakatikei wetland restoration Totara G Valley org Park e View entrance Valley View Deadwood Intended ecological link Road Forest Cedarholm 575m Birchville Dam Creek Road entrance Little Akatarawa River Bridge Road Road Recreation UPPER Deadwood State H entrance Karapoti HUTT Mt Barton Little Akatarawa entrance 627m Advocate recreation Karapoti Road Forest improvement with other ig h management authorities w a y 2 Akatarawa River Utilities Akatarawa Road Deadwood Stream Indicative location of Tararua proposed windfarm [with Forest Park associated roads and power (DOC) lines] Kaitoke Regional Park Proposed water supply Pakuratahi Forest Park (GWRC) storage lake (GWRC)