TRIP REPORT : Northwest Aorangi Range

 Saturday-Sunday :   4–5 February 2006

We met at the property of Clive Paton in the Waihora Stream valley and proceeded to a side valley which enters Aorangi Forest Park on its northwestern boundary.   The valley is steep-sided in the main with a couple of places where it has broadened and left an area of flat ground either side of the stream.   The site has a number of species that are not listed on the A.P. Druce list, reflecting the fact that most botanising in the Aorangis has previously been done from the more accessible eastern side.

Waihora Stream, and to a lesser extent the side streams, have a varied and interesting fish population as trout have not been able to get into the catchment.   The native fresh water crayfish is also present in some numbers.   Further up the Waihora in another side stream a large population of northern rata (Metrosideros robusta) has been found, augmenting the known population of a handful of trees.

It did not take long for the group to breakup with some people going up the streambed (to the delight of the local mosquito population) and another group taking a higher route midslope.   The gossamer grass, Anemanthele lessoniana, was in flower and attracted a lot of positive comments, and the sedge species, which are many and varied in the area, provided a good opportunity to familiarise people with specific characteristics.   Carex raoulii and C. unnamed sp. (“raotest”) grow in close proximity, and it was an ideal situation to note the differences between the two species.

Rubus squarrosus.   Photo: Jeremy Rolfe.

Near the lunch spot, a prickly surprise was the leafless lawyer / Rubus squarrosus.

The population of the fern Doodia mollis was surveyed and although being a relatively small patch, it seems to be thriving.   Unfortunately the native carrot (Daucus glochidiatus) was not seen, as it had done it’s thing for the season and disappeared until next Spring.

The trip ended a little early for the trip leader when he managed to put his gumboot squarely on a wasp nest and get stung about 15 to 20 times.   Two things he was very glad about were the fact that antihistamine tablets were available and that he was not wearing boxer shorts.   The intense itching that follows for a week is not something that can be recommended.

Participants :   Bev Abbott, Gavin Dench, Geoff Doring, Jenny Doring, Pat Enright, Chris Hopkins, Chris Horne, Gordon Leary, Sheelagh Leary, Rodney Lewington, Barbara Mitcalfe, Mick Parsons, Leon Perrie, Colin Scadden, Darea Sherratt, Tony Silbery, Sunita Singh, Maggy Wassilieff.

Pat Enright