TRIP REPORT : Himatangi Scientific Reserve (Paranui Bush)

 Saturday :   5 December 2004

Paranui is a small remnant of forest and shrubland covering a complex of sand dunes and plains, at the corner of Paranui Rd and Block Rd east of SH1.   It is notable for being one of the larger forest remnants in the Foxton sand dune district.   The reserve comprises an amalgamation of west-east running parabolic dune ridges, a series of dune plains, and scattered dunelets at the head of the main sand plain.

We approached the reserve from the north, and climbed to the main dune ridge to view the dune topography and shrubland regeneration along the forest boundary.   The ridge vegetation comprised mainly Coprosma crassifolia, poataniwha / Melicope simplex, mahoe, kanuka and lancewood, with patches of Clematis and leafless lawyer.

The eastern slope of the dune ridge is notable for the several very large titoki and hinau, a grove of wheki, Griselinia lucida and Polystichum, and small hanging gullies and hollows.   The canopy is largely mahoe, titoki, and poataniwha, with the occasional porokaiwhiri / pigeonwood, and epiphytic Collospermum hastatum.   The soils in some hollows are unexpectedly peaty.

On the sand plain we traversed the forest to the southern boundary, and tunnelled our way back to the northwest through kiekie and kareao / supplejack.   Impressive pukatea trees scattered across the sand plain often have extensive buttress systems, and are covered with kiekie and epiphytes.   We found a freshly cut track used for possum control work, and stopped for lunch.

At the head of the sand plain, in a patch of large tawa and titoki, there is probably a swamp maire tree because we found a sapling there.   We found a few kahikatea trees, and there are more outside the reserve.

On the way out we saw regenerating sand dune vegetation, and discussed the identity of some coprosmas.

We then examined a lone pokaka, and more Fuchsia perscandens to compare leaf morphology with more southern plants.

While it was wet and cold, and navigation tricky to the extent that route finding was sometimes my main priority, we had a good exploration, and found some challenging specimens to identify.   It was good to maintain contact, learn about more plants, and enjoy being in the field.

Participants: Bryan Halliday, David Havell (leader), Chris Horne, Pat McLean, Barbara Mitcalfe, Mick Parsons, Bernie Salmon.

David Havell

Editor: We thank Vivienne Nicholls, DOC, Palmerston North, for providing a DSIR paper about the reserve.