Nestled at the edge of Purewa Creek in Mission Bay, Kepa Bush Reserve is more than just a patch of bush.
This peaceful, leafy sanctuary is a special place for Ōrākei Local Board deputy chair Sarah Powrie, who talks us through why it’s one of her favourite places in Tāmaki Makaurau.
What do you like about it?
Kepa Bush is almost a best kept secret, one of the largest pieces of native bush on the Auckland isthmus which unfolds gradually as you leave the busy streets behind and enter a world of bush and birdsong.
The tracks charm and surprise us, as the forest merges into the tidal estuary and at times reveals unexpected viewpoints of the city. There are an amazing number of birds to be seen, from kererū to pīwakawaka and my absolute favourite, the riroriro which to me, embodies the evocative sound of summer. A magnificent 300-year-old kohekohe tree is a highlight - imagine if trees could talk, what tales it could tell.
Who would you recommend it to?
Anyone who enjoys an urban adventure.
Describe some of its best features:
The tracks wind through a magical pocket of native bush, with many large, old trees, including kohekohe, mānuka, tōtara, and pūriri, and provide unexpected views of the estuary, Te Ara ki Uta ki Tai (the shared pathway which transverses the valley), and the city, with even a glimpse of the sky tower. The birdsong is charming, the melodies seem to filter through the light and shade of the trees and provide a lyrical backdrop. A 40-minute loop walk can be taken on Kepa Bush Path.
Tell us a memory you have from this park?
I particularly remember a school trip when my children were small. It was quite stressful keeping track of a bunch of excited kids, but I loved the enthusiasm and torrent of questions as they discovered the area.
During Covid, the bush provided a quiet exercise area, a welcome change to life indoors on Zoom and a chance for peaceful reflection in an unsettled world.
I have also met many of our wonderful volunteers, who have collectively dedicated scores of years to preserving and enhancing the area. Our area is richer for their passion and dedication.
What would you recommend visitors to the park take with them?
There is a QR code on the sign at the entrance to Kepa Bush, I suggest you take your mobile phone so more information is easily accessible, including John la Roche’s excellent story of the valley. You can learn more about specific trees, the history and geology and stories of the area.
Accessibility notes:
The picnic area off Kepa Road is suitable for people with limited mobility, but the loop track includes stairs and sharp inclines.
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