About

Our Unique Forests

Before European settlement, most of the Kapiti and Porirua coast was cloaked in a unique kind of subtropical green forest dominated by kohekohe - the New Zealand mahogany.

Sculpted by the wind and teeming with unique birds, lizards and insects, the forest had a dawn chorus reputed by sailors (who sailed everywhere from Africa to Tahiti) to be the most beautiful in the world.

Then, with European settlement came fires, milling, stoats, ferrets, cats, possums, deer and rats. Vast tracts of forests were cleared, depriving birdlife of habitat and condemning several species to extinction.

Even after this first wave of destruction the losses continued as predators took their toll and isolated forest remnants succumbed to wind and browsing.

Kapiti Island: The Dawn Chorus Returns

Only three decades ago officials dismissed as "impossible" the idea that Kapiti Island's possum population could be eradicated. Fortunately, this only encouraged the hard-headed trappers making the proposal.

First, they swept the island with a rolling wave of traps and then systematically scoured every square meter of the island - including cliffs - with specially trained dogs.

The epic campaign achieved success in 1986 with the capture, on the rugged western side of the island, of the last possum.

An increase in the island's forest health and birdlife had, of course, been predicted. What happened though was phenomenal. By the time the rats were removed in another landmark operation in 1994, Kapiti Island's dawn chorus had returned close to what visiting sailors must have experienced in the early 1800's.
Photo courtesy of Gregory H. Sherley

Linking the Islands to the Mainland

News spread and the story of Kapiti Island has become a legend that inspires a whole generation of conservationists. Today, the island's legacy includes a series of 'mainland island' projects.

Here on the Kapiti-Porirua coast we not only have world famous Kapiti Island, but also Mana sitting directly offshore. Bird life on both islands is abundant.

The next step is obvious - link the islands with the mainland. Our regeneration effects will attract seed-carrying birds which in turn will help create the habitat they need in order to stay.

Pest control os crucial. When there is enough bird-safe habitat, we will once again have a dawn chorus as good as any in the world.

Nga Uruora's vision is to create a continuous ribbon of native forest running between Waikanae and Porirua through private and public land. We aim to link upand build on the work of existing projects such as Hemi Matenga, Nga Manu, and Porirua Scenic Reserve.

Our Philosophy & Approach

Nga Uruora exists to initiate conservation projects which wouldn't otherwise happen. While official bodies have increasingly, since 1997, offered help for conservation, they do not have the resources, or the focus to protect all remaining remnants and are not always able to meet all the costs.

Being a community group, we are able to approach private landowners and offer and facilitate support for conservation initiatives.

Flexible Criteria: A key part of our approach is to provide help for remnants which are too badly degraded, or too small, to be eligible for official conservation assistance. As far as we are concerned, even individual trees are worth protecting as they are part of the character and history of the landscape and can provide a nucleus for regeneration.

We pride ourselves on not only promoting conservation, but actually getting out and doing the fencing, weed control, planting and so on. Our native plant nurseries provide locally sources and endemic trees.

Community involvement is central to Nga Uruora. We aim to involve as many people, from as many different walks of life as possible, not only in work, but in developing a feel for our natural environment. Volunteers, community groups, businesses, and even probation department community service workers are involved in all aspects of the organisation. Our native plant nurseries are located in schools to allow children to become involved.

Awards & Recognition

*  2003 – Wellington Conservation Award.
*  2007 – Certificate of Appreciation – Awarded by Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons.
*  2007 – Rata Community Partnership Award – Awarded by Wellington Regional Council. This award acknowledges passionate community groups who are working to improve the health of their environment.