Founded more than 50 years ago, the Kauri Bushmen’s Association cares for a local park much-loved by Warkworth residents.
Parry Kauri Park is home to the McKinney and Simpson kauri – named after former landowners, and more than 800 years old.
Association members have built a 1.8m walkway, a viewing platform and a bird-feeding station, and they maintain bait stations in the area.
Chair Ray Jensen says 9000 trees have been planted since 1990 behind the Warkworth District Museum – mostly from seedlings collected and grown in the park.
“It’s incredibly satisfying to see beautiful, substantial trees thriving," he says.
“Visitors enjoy the environment and finding out about the park’s history. Our role is to educate them about the bush, which is critical to its survival.”
Last month, Kauri Bushmen’s Association members and Forest & Bird volunteers installed a prototype kauri dieback hygiene station.
Visitors must walk through disinfectant pads that remove the fungus that causes dieback, while a cover ensures that rain won’t dilute the solution, and run-off can be re-used.
Rodney Local Board Chair Beth Houlbrooke says volunteers are amazing.
“We owe them such a vote of thanks for their energy, commitment and time," she says.
"Anyone thinking about getting involved should, because it makes a difference.”
Anyone interested in volunteering at a Rodney local park can email Auckland Council Community Ranger Sinead Brimacombe at Sinead.Brimacombe@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
How you can help stop kauri dieback disease
Some of Auckland's forests in the Waitākere and Hunua ranges and other locations are affected by kauri dieback disease. Remember to scrub and spray boots whenever you pass a cleaning station and always stay on tracks when visiting kauri forests.
For more information on kauri dieback disease, including what you can do to help, visit kauridieback.co.nz or follow the national kauri dieback management programme on Facebook.
