ARTICLE : Rata in the Lower Hutt River Valley

 October 2003 – Rata in the Lower Hutt River Valley

My interest in rata trees stems from the work of the Department of Conservation and Project Crimson, the destruction and potential destruction of many trees, and the potential for propagating rata (Metrosideros robusta and possibly M. umbellata), instead of pohutukawa (M. excelsa).   I do not know of any plantings of rata in the valley at present.   Unlike pohutukawa, northern rata is naturally occurring in the valley – you only have to walk in the nearby, protected, Wainuiomata catchment to realise this.   I estimate that the population of northern rata in the lower Hutt River valley is only about 0.5% of the population of pohutukawa.

I have listed trees based on my observations, and information from other BotSoccers, notably Stan Butcher.   The “journey” begins in Petone, and travels northeast up the Hutt River delta, but looking from side to side across the valley, to where it narrows at Taita Gorge.

Northern rata. Photo: John Braggins.

The most southerly tree is at 174 Hutt Road, our only example of southern rata / M. umbellata.   There are two northern rata by the stream in Percy Scenic Reserve.   In Alicetown, a smallish tree is at 38 Victoria St.   Across the river, on the berms in Awamutu Grove (nos. 28 & 41) are two largish trees, and where this street joins Leighton Ave, a large tree, actually two trees close together, gives one of the best flowering displays in the valley.   Across and up Waiwhetu Road, outside St Paul’s Anglican Church Hall, is probably the largest tree in the valley, and the only (marked) protected tree in the HCC District Plan.   Some years ago, another, smaller, tree was felled at this site to make room for building extensions.   More recently I noticed another handsome specimen in the parsonage at the back, at 2 Guthrie St.   A fine young tree is in Waiwhetu Rd, Fairfield, actually at 1 Burnside St.   On the same side of the valley, in the Birdwood Road area, four or five trees become visible in the flowering season, in regenerating bush, across and behind Mission St and Chanel Grove, which are probably naturally occurring.   Now, go back to Hutt Intermediate School to see a fine tree at the junction of Kauri Street (where there are kauri) and Wilford Street.   Cross the school grounds and go into Penrose St where there is another fine specimen at no. 27.   The roots of what was a fine young tree now lie buried under tar-seal in the New World Supermarket carpark.   So the only tree now left in the CBD is in Daly St, and now aesthetically built around, much to the advantage of the refurbished building, rather than being felled, as was the danger some months ago.   Several BotSoccers “made a point” with HCC about this time.

Now cross the river to Pharazyn St to see fine trees at nos. 14 and 16, and a smaller one best viewed from Williams Grove, at the back.   All these trees are seen to good advantage from Normandale Overbridge when flowering.   Unfortunately, I am told that a fourth specimen near the overbridge was felled in recent times.   A southern rata near the old fernery in Jubilee Park appears to have gone – sorry, Stan!   There is a tree at 72 Kings Crescent, opposite Eastern Hutt School.   Now go up Waterloo Rd to see nice trees at Chilton St James School gate, at no. 150, at no. 184 (opposite St Bernard’s School), then up and around into Witako St which has five struggling, but still viable, trees on the eastern berms.   Then go across the railway line to see trees at 3 Duncan Tce, and 167 Cambridge Tce, Epuni.   Now go across to Park Road, Belmont to see a nice young tree in the gully opposite no. 10.   Cross Kennedy- Good Bridge to where a handsome young tree thrives at the junction of Naenae Rd and Vogel St.   Cross the Wingate Ramp and at nos. 11 and 4, see well-established trees on the eastern and western sides respectively of Oxford Tce as it exits into High St.   A little further north is a fine tree, sandwiched between pohutukawa, at 1169 High St.   This tree is interesting because it is of similar stature to its neighbours, and must have been planted at the same time.   Incidentally, there are no rata trees in Rata St – I checked!   A little further north there are seven fine trees at the top end of Petherick St, a recent discovery.   Sandwiched between them is a M. kermadecensis which flowers in September.   It is quite large, and must have been planted at the same time.   Now go onto the lower SH 58 / Haywards Hill where there is a fine specimen in a gully opposite, and just below, Hugh Duncan St.

I hope that this record is useful and interesting, especially to those of you who will witness the November / December flowering season.   2002 was an excellent year – let’s hope 2003 will be also.

Dave Holey, 6/7 Raroa Road, Melling, Lower Hutt.   Ph 566 3124

For more information, read Northern Rata (Metrosideros robusta) in Wellington Conservancy – Current Status and Future Management.   Kate McKessar and John Sawyer.   March 1999.   62 pp.   Department of Conservation.

 December 2001 – Hutt Valley’s Daly St northern rata

Congratulations to Judy Robb, Horticultural Manager, Hutt City Council, who confirms that negotiations between HCC and the developer of the site have succeeded in saving this fine tree.   The developer has agreed to modify the development plan, and HCC has taken responsibility for long-term maintenance of the tree.

 October 2001 – A northern rata under threat in Lower Hutt?

Northern rata used to form a very substantial component of Wellington ecosystems but they were logged and burnt by the thousand.   Possums find them very palatable and can browse them to death within two years.   As of March 1999, northern rata, Metrosideros robusta in the Wellington Region has been the subject of a DOC restoration programme.

Several BotSoccers are keeping an eye on a situation which has developed in Lower Hutt.   Some months ago, HCC sold the Daly St property on which the tree stands, to a developer, who says the tree has to go.   The tree is a handsome, healthy, multi-trunked specimen about 10 m high.   The estimated cost of relocating the tree is ca. $25,000, and HCC say they can’t afford to move it.   As of 16 October, Judy Robb, HCC Horticultural Manager, says the tree was made available for public sale without success.   However, it now appears that HCC are in negotiations to keep the tree on site. Here’s hoping!

Barbara Mitcalfe