Whareroa Guardians Community Trust
Whareroa Farm is located off State Highway 1, 3.5km north of Paekakariki
AIMS:
The Trust is established to protect and develop Whareroa Farm as a reserve for environmental and heritage conservation and public enjoyment, by working with the Management Authority to:
a) maintain Whareroa Farm as a publicly-owned and sustainable coastal hill country farm as meets the overall aims of the Trust
b) restore the catchments of the Whareroa Stream and protect and enhance the indigenous flora and fauna;
c) recognise and respect the bond that tangata whenua have with the land;
d) preserve and strengthen the historical and cultural heritage of Whareroa Farm with emphasis on the link with Queen Elizabeth Park;
e) ensure Whareroa Farm is widely accessible for any public recreation activities that do not unduly damage the environment or disturb the enjoyment of others;
f) promote Whareroa Farm as a recreational hub and a resource to be used and valued by the local Kapiti and wider community;
g) value and develop this land as an educational resource for “best practice†catchment, conservation, environmental, recreational, and farming management.
The park is a 400 hectare block.
It connects Queen Elizabeth Park to the Akatarawa Forest Park. “Hills to Seaâ€
It is very accessible to the public from SH 1 at Mackays Crossing.
There are a variety of recreational opportunities for walking, cycling, horse riding, running, picnics and just “beingâ€. In bush, by streams, on open pasture and high up on the hills. There is already high usage since it was opened to the public in April 2011.
An active group of volunteers have planted over 30,000 plants along the stream sides since 2007. They have also cleared gorse in key areas. More volunteers are always welcome.
The group are keen to get going with systematic pest control.
Regular bird monitoring commenced in July 2011.
Working Bees are held 1st Sunday morning of each month throughout the year (morning tea provided). Volunteers also go in at other times to weed, monitor birds, monitor for pests, work on paths in planting sites etc.
Send us an email to go on e-mailing list to hear about our activities and planting /working bees.