Trip Programme July – December 2021
**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: Enable JavaScript to view protected content. (Note: Microsoft Word compatible preferred).
Saturday 10 July – Western Matata dunes
Leader : Angela Simpson 021 239 2554 Enable JavaScript to view protected content.
Meet: Rotorua carpark at 8 am or corner of Kaokaoroa St and Clem Elliot Drive, just west of Matata near the rail overbridge, at 9 am
Grade: Easy
Explore sand dunes and wetlands on the coastline west from Matata. See spinifex, pingao (At Risk – Declining), and possibly Carex pumila. We will also look at the indigenous seedlings that are establishing underneath the tall eucalyptus forest. If there is time later on we may explore the dunes further west, at Pikowai Beach.
Saturday 7 August – Waimangu, Hapeotoroa
Leader: Martin Pearce 07 3491929 Enable JavaScript to view protected content.
Meet : The carpark Rotorua at 8.30 am or Waimangu Valley car park at 9.00 am.
Grade : Medium/hard
We will follow the valley walking track to the summit of Mt Haszard then veer off north and follow a watercourse and deer trails to the summit of Hapeotoroa. The area should have a good range of vegetation re-established after the 1886 and 1917 eruptions. At the summit we should have views over Rotomahana, Mt Tarawera and Lake Tarawera.
5th September –Handcock Road, Te Kopia Forest, Paeroa Range (with Waikato Botanical Society)
Jacqui Bond ph 021 1259 273, E-mail Enable JavaScript to view protected content.
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 Handcocks 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.
Accommodation: There is room for 3 people to join me to stay overnight at the owner’s hut the Saturday night before the trip. The hut is accessed from a 4wd track off Handcock road or a short walk. Contact me for more details if you are interested.
Sunday 3 October –Matawai Conservation Area, Matawai
Leader: Mike Butcher ph 07 3157160 / 0274 555610 email Enable JavaScript to view protected content.
Meet: Opotiki I-site/DOC office at 8 am. Option of going over to Opotiki on Saturday night with accommodation.
Grade: Moderate
We will visit Matawai Conservation Area (2649 ha) on Te Wera Road-a large forested plateau dominated by silver beech forest and podocarp with mistletoe species possibly still present (Alepis and Peraxilla spp).
16 October - Okareka Mistletoe Restoration Project Weed Control/Plant Releasing Work Day
Leader: Paul Cashmore 07 349 7432 (wk) or 027 650 7264 Enable JavaScript to view protected content.
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.
Friday 5 – Sunday 7 November – Coromandel (with Waikato Botanical Society)
Leaders: Graeme Jane & Gael Donaghy 07 5703123 Enable JavaScript to view protected content.
Meet: At campground. Each day planned at the time. Details the night before. Contact 027 5703123
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Accommodation: Fri/Sat. Suggest: Coromandel Top 10 Holiday Park or Shelly Bay Top 10 Holiday Park.
Bring: Independent stay overnight tent or cabin.
The intention is to explore a few places close to the town. Some possible walks are short and easy but at least one long walk is intended. Much of the area has been modified by kauri logging or mining up to 150 years ago but the last mines closed and logging ceased about 1950. There are some substantial regenerating kauri stands with many of the species typically associated with kauri.
Saturday 11 (backup Sunday 12) December: Western end of Lake Taupo Trail
Leader: Chris Bycroft 027 498 5513 Enable JavaScript to view protected content. (email preferred)
Meet: Contact the trip leader for carpooling from Rotorua, leaving at 8:00 am. Otherwise meet just after 9 am at the carpark (NZTM E1833250, N5713060) opposite the Waihaha Track. Note, it takes just over one hour’s travel time from Rotorua so you may have to wait a short time for us.
Grade: Medium-hard
Explore the track between State Highway 32 and the lake. We may look at sections of the river and lake edge if we can get to them. A diverse range of habitats from steep hill country, river margin, waterfalls and lake margins. Be prepared for a bit of off-track walking, and potential stream crossings. A day of botanising and exploring new country for us.
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.