Trip Programme 2022
**Please note: We would like intending participants to give the leader a call during the week before the trip. This will give the leader an idea of the party, and enable them to give you any last minute information. If the leader is not available contact Paul Cashmore 07 349-7432 (wk), or 027 650 7264.
The meeting place for all trips, unless otherwise stated, is the carpark between the Convention Centre and the Police Station, Fenton Street, Rotorua (hereinafter called “the carpark Rotorua “). We will carpool with a donation for petrol expenses for cars/boats to drivers please.
Reminder to trip leaders
Please remember to collect the first aid kit and PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) from Paul Cashmore or supply your own. You are also responsible for delegating the writing up of the trip report or writing it yourself and getting it to the editor within 4 weeks of the trip. A very brief report is much better than no report! Please email the report to: (Note: Microsoft Word compatible preferred).
Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 February – Makatiti Dome Scenic Reserve, Rotorua Ecological District
Purpose: In partnership with Rotoiti 15 Trust, we are pleased to invite you on a 1- day hikoi whenua/ hike (with an option to stay overnight and continue on Sunday) to botanise Makatiti Dome.
Project Leads :
- Botanical Society: Paul Cashmore 07 349 7432 (wk) /027 650 7264
- Rotoiti 15 Tauwharenga/GM – Kerri Anne Hancock:
Start: We would meet at carpark Rotorua at 8 am or the Rotoiti Rugby Club (next to Te Urumahue Road) carpark at 8:30 am
End: There are two options:
Day Trip: Expected to vacate the forest at 4:30/5 pm on Saturday
Overnight Trip: Expected to vacate the forest by 2 pm Sunday
RSVP to Paul Cashmore by Thurs 3 Feb with vehicle details for those bringing a vehicle (4WD/SUVs only) and which trip you will be attending.
Please note all participants (not just drivers) will need to complete a short online Health and Safety programme in order to receive a permit for the visit for access through Hancock’s managed forest. Carpooling will be encouraged. Go to https://hancock.worksite.nz/ to complete.
Grade: Medium
Accommodation: Sat night – BYO Tents at hut site (see below)
Equipment: For those staying overnight, BYO tents, camping gear, food, water, cooking gear at hut, (gear will be transported in by quad but please keep gear to a minimum). Only need to carry day packs. A lunch will be provided by the Trust on the Saturday.
The Work: This will be a rare opportunity for the Botanical Society to explore and more thoroughly botanise a very large track of seldom-visited high altitude forest in the Rotorua Ecological District. This large block at 2,479 ha includes several small lakelets, kamahi-broadleaf-tawari-Hall’s totara forest, Hall’s totara-northern rata/tawa-kamahi forest, Northern rata/tawa-rewarewa-mangeao-kamahi forest, and Kanuka forest/scrub and kanuka-manuka-monoao dominated shrubland and silver tussockland as a post-Tarawera eruption succession.
We will be hosted and joined by Rotoiti 15 Trustees, whānau and Hunting Club members who whakapapa to this whenua (land) block and surrounding plantation forest through which we will access it.
One of our aims for the weekend is to work with Rotoiti 15 whānau to document and update the information on the flora of Makatiti Dome Scenic Reserve for future biodiversity restoration work.
- Saturday: We aim to botanise the high altitude forest further east towards Tapahoro (Tarawera outlet) end of the block. There is an option for members to return back to vehicles at end of the day for those wanting a day trip. For others remaining we will make our way to the small hut at 1905280E, 5768895N where we will camp for the night.
- Sunday: We will botanise the manuka-monoao shrubland and silver tussock land clearings immediately in front of the hut which are a rare vegetation type in the Rotorua District, and possibly explore some of the gully systems on the southern side of the block before making our way back to the vehicles in the afternoon.
Sunday 27th February – Raparapahoe Falls and Gully Crawl, behind Te Puke
Leaders: Paul Robbins Ph 0225063299
Meet: 08.30am Rotorua or 09:40am at the Raparapahoe carpark, Raparapahoe Falls 282 No 4 Road, Te Puke 3183
Grade: Medium-hard (bush bashing and some steep terrain)
Leaving enough cars at the Raparapahoe Falls carpark to return, we will drive north up the road to the bridge crossing the Raparapahoe stream on No 4 road. Here we will follow the stream to the falls through coastal forest which contains a healthy population of the ‘At Risk - Naturally Uncommon’ Peperomia tetraphylla. King fern is also to be found as well as many weed species.
From the falls, a kilometre long track winds up the gorge back to the falls carpark.
Sunday 27th March – Mt Tarawera (Combined with Forest and Bird and Waikato Botanical Society)
Leader: Paul Cashmore 07 349 7432 (wk) or 027 650 7264
Meet: DOC Ashpit Road campground, Lake Rerewhakaaitu at 9 am.
Grade: Medium-Hard, and in particular, confidence in walking on steep mobile scoria slopes and along high and sharp ridges is needed.
Registration: Minimum age 14 years old. Maximum of 25 people on trip on a first come basis but must register first with Paul Cashmore by Monday 18 March at latest.
Cost: Free
Bring: Minimum 2 litres water, lunch and snacks, wet weather and warm gear, sun hat, sunblock, boots or sturdy shoes, gaiters and/or leggings an advantage for loose scoria, gloves for pulling out pines.
We will be driven to the top of Mt Tarawera by 4WD bus and vehicle to the crater rim and hear a bit about the history and ecological values of the mountain. We will be led by Ruawahia trustees and DOC staff with assistance from Kaitiaki Tours. This year we will cross the crater onto ‘the fan’ between Ruawahia and Wahanga domes with time to take in the flora, fauna and 360 degree views of the Bay of Plenty. We will then spend the rest of the day on the Tarawera ‘fan’ helping to handpull wilding conifer seedlings to assist the Ruawahia Wilding Conifer Project which aims to control the spread of wilding conifers in order to protect the unique values on the mountain.
Sunday 10 April – Pukerimu Ecological Area, east of Tokoroa, Mamaku Plateau (Combined Waikato Botanical Society)
Leader: Paul Cashmore 07 349 7432 (wk) or 027 650 7264
Meet: Meet at Rotorua carpark 815am or end of Key Rd (#542) off Mossop Rd, E of Tokoroa 9:30am
Grade: Medium
Bring: High vis as it is the roar. Masks to be worn in 4WD vehicles when travelling across farm. Also please let trip leader know if you are bringing a 4WD with decent tyres.
A rare visit to a landlocked 113 ha block of virgin podocarp forest remnant on edge of Pukerimu Stream. Includes good example of rimu/miro-matai-tawa forest once dominant on the Mamaku Plateu with secondary rewarewa-kamahi forest along the gorge and even a small area of frost flat shrubland included. The block a contains some threatened flora species which we will see.
Saturday 7 May – Moutohora (Whale Island) Combined with Eastern Bay Forest and Bird
Leader: Jo Bonner (0274 715 684) email:
Meet: White Island Rendezvous Carpark- (time will be based on the tides details to follow)
Grade: Medium
Cost: $120.00- cost of the charter vessel
Transport: Charter boat Ngati Awa Tourism or another concession provider. (24 people max)
This trip is subject to weather, vessel availability and DOC approval. Interested members are asked to register by 31 March, contact trip leader as numbers are limited. The hope is to explore an area on Moutuhora, the Island has been regenerating from goat and rabbit predation, they were finally completely removed in 1985. The last botanical survey was completed in 1989- 90, which has informally been added to since. The goal would be to assess and record the transformation of the island biodiversity as the coastal forest matures back to its former state.
If this trip cannot take place, then the alternative walk will be around the Ohiwa spit- western Ohope side. A coastal exploration out onto the back and fore dune areas past the golf course and around the spit and into the harbour entrance. Hopefully finding a broad range of coastal natives as the landscape changes into several different habitats, from dune felids to harbour. Expecting plenty of exotic weeds for those enthusiasts too.
Sunday 12th June – Waharoa QEII Covenant Visit (combined with Waikato Botanical Society)
Leaders: Dell Hood, or 027 521 9260
Meet: Meet at Rotorua carpark TBA at entrance to Hawes Bush, Walker Rd Waharoa, time TBA
Grade: Easy
On the eve of the midwinter, celebrate with a perfect mid winter trip. It’s a little gem of forest on private land at Waharoa, very close to the Matamata Piako District Council owned Hawes Bush. It’s flat, easily accessible, unlikely to be muddy, not difficult to navigate, has diverse species and many mature trees – definitely an easy and relaxed trip. It is in the process of being protected with a QEII covenant, so a detailed species list will be useful for both QEII and the owner. Work has already begun on weed control in this forest remnant but participants could help by coming prepared to pull out weed seedlings. The forest is on a working dairy farm so time and access arrangements will not be finalised until close to the date, to avoid interfering with farming requirements. It may also be necessary to limit numbers.
Monday 20 June - Annual General Meeting and Guest Speaker: Catherine Beard
Venue : DOC 99 Sala St, Rotorua
Time : 6 pm
Cheese and other finger-food, wine and juice will be provided.
Following the meeting there will be a guest speaker, Catherine Beard, who will speak on History of Botanical Illustration and Historical Artists of note.
Saturday 9 July - Western Matata dunes
Leader : Sarah Beadel 021‑924‑476;
Meet: Rotorua carpark at 8.00 am or Murphys Motorcamp, 174 State Highway 2 Matata at 9.00 am.
Grade: Easy
Explore sand dunes, wetlands, and eucalyptus, houpara, and pohutukawa forest- on the coastline to the west of Murphy’s Motorcamp (west of Matata). We will check out the extent of Kunzea toelkenii (Thornton kānuka) in the area and look for pīngao, sand coprosma (Coprosma acerosa), and Alternanthera. We will explore the understorey of the coastal eucalyptus, houpara, and pohutukawa forest forest to see whether seedlings of species such as tawa, pūriri, and supplejack which were present in 2007 have flourished, along with the raupo, Bolboschoenus, Machaerina wetlands to the west.
Saturday 6 August – Highlands Station remnants, south of Rotorua
Leader: Martin Pearce 07 3491929
Meet : The carpark Rotorua at 8.30 am or 8.45am at intersection of SH5 and Highlands Rd sth of Rotorua
Grade : Moderate
We have access across farmland to native remnants on the Highland block. Though these areas have been logged I have been reliably told they are well worth investigating. We’ll work our to the trig of Tutaeheke (719m) looping around through 2 of the blocks before returning. Nice views over Tarawera and Rotomahana for lunch.
Sunday 4 September– Homunga Bay, Waihi (Combined with Waikato Botanical Society)
Leaders: Graeme Jane & Gael Donaghy 07 5703123 .
Meet: Barry Road junction with SH 25, northern outskirts of Waihi (becomes Golden Valley Road, and signposted to Golden Valley Road) at 10 am.
Grade: moderate
A little used rough coastal track to Orokawa Bay and for the adventurous a through walk to Waihi Beach. Coastal cliffs, lowland puriri forest, regenerating forest and scrub, and steep rocky shores with odd small beaches. From Orokawa Bay to Waihi there is a well-formed track that is often that is often very busy.
Saturday 24 September – Handcock Road, Te Kopia, Paeroa Range (with Waikato Botanical Society)
Leaders: Jacqui Bond ph 021 1259 273, E-mail
Meet: 8:15 am Rotorua Council carpark or 9 am at the gate at the end of Handcock Road, off SH 5 (between Waiotapu and Mihi).
Grade: Moderate-Hard
This forest is in the Paeroa Range sandwiched between Reporoa and Waikite Valley and often not explored due to difficulty in accessing the reserve which is surrounded by private land or cliffs! With permission from the Handcock’s we can access this part of the range which is private land from SH 5. This mixed broadleaf/podocarp reserve goes from 600-1000 m and still contains rare species such as Peraxilla tetrapetala and dactylanthus. We will explore streams, the regenerating bush of old skid sites and mature forests; while not walking on maintained tracks, old forestry roads and high numbers of deer make the going relatively easy.
Saturday 8 - Sunday 9 October –Hauaero, Motu River.
Leader: Hirere Ngamoki 027 8314306 and/or Willie Ngamoki
Meet: We will meet at the Motu Bridge around 9am Saturday to drop our gear off and I will arrange to park your vehicles at a cousin’s place in Maraenui. We can firm up on the meeting time closer to the day. Willie will organise two jet boats and funds so there won’t be any cost to RBS members for the jet boats.
Grade: Options available. Medium to hard for those who want to climb higher up ridges. The flat areas and Huaero creek are easy.
Accomodation: On site private hut seeps 4-6 plus room for tents. Bring sleeping gear. Further details closer to the time,
This is an overnight trip to the Huaero site up the Motu river about half hour by jet boat. Huaero is an old settlement around 200-300yrs old (we estimate from our local stories) maybe older. It is a large (ha’s) flat area which were gardens back then with whare and pit features around the outside of the garden area. A defensive pa is located on the northern end of the large flat above a cliff which drops into the Motu river. The flat area would have been cleared for gardens but the regen native is probably 150-200yrs old. Today it is only used by hunters and is unbotanised. If we are unable to access this site due to weather (heavy rain) or river levels a Plan B will be to botanise a block a block near Omaio.
Saturday 15 October - Okareka Mistletoe Restoration Project Weed Control/Plant Releasing Work Day
Leader: Paul Cashmore 07 349 7432 (wk) or 027 650 7264
Meet: Cnr Summit and Loop Roads, Okareka (lake end) @ 8:45 am
Grade: Medium-Hard – Activities suitable for all ages and abilities will be provided. This will include releasing our plantings from weed growth and doing further weed control.
Saturday 5 November –Taupo Reserves and some geothermal sites (with Waikato Botanical Society)
Leader: Chris Bycroft 027 498 5513 (email preferred)
Meet: The carpark Rotorua at 8 am, or in Taupo (to be advised).
Grade: Easy
The aim is to visit several reserves in and around Taupo. We will pay a visit to part of a geothermal area near State Highway 1 and see if we can see any orchids of interest. If time allows we will look at some geothermal ferns and other species alongside Otumuheke Stream. We should see some plants of Cyclosorus interruptus, the geothermal form of Christella dentata and Hypolepis dicksonioides.
Sunday 4 December – Okere Falls Scenic Reserve and Te Akau Reserve
Leader: Elizabeth & Nick Miller 07 362 4747;
Meet: The carpark Rotorua at 9am am or Okere Falls Scenic Reserve Parking Area, Okere Falls Road, Okere Falls, north east of Rotorua, 9.30 am.
Grade: Easy
Part 1: Walk a well-graded public track to the Trout Pool Falls through tawa-dominated forest, scenic views of Kaituna River.
Part 2: Drive to end of Te Akau Peninsula (c. 2 km) to Reserve for picnic lunch then explore informal track around end of Peninsula, past kohekohe and lake-edge pohutukawa.
SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT FOR DAY TRIPS
Lunch, drink, waterproof parka, warm hat, sturdy shoes or boots, sunblock, hand lens, note book, pen & pencil, first aid kit*, compass, GPS, map, whistle, aerial photos, plant species lists, money for driver’s petrol expenses.