Akatarawa Forest
Akatarawa Forest | |
---|---|
Location | Upper Hutt, Wellington Region, New Zealand |
Nearest city | Upper Hutt |
Coordinates | 41°02′27.4″S 175°02′13.2″E / 41.040944°S 175.037000°E |
Area | 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres) |
Operated by | Greater Wellington Regional Council |
Akatarawa Forest is a regional park in the Upper Hutt within the Wellington Region at the southern tip of the North Island of New Zealand. It encompasses 15,000 hectares of native and plantation forest. It includes the headwaters of the Maungakotukutuku Steam, Akatarawa River West and the Whakatīkei River.[1]
The park is owned and managed by Greater Wellington Regional Council, making it one of the largest landowners in New Zealand.[2]
Akatarawa is a Maori name meaning 'Trailing vines'.[3]
Activities include cycling, hunting, fishing, horse riding, 4WD-vehicle trips and trail biking, including at the Karapoti Gorge.[4]
History
Akatarawa Forest has ancient
Greater Wellington Regional Council carried out a 1080 dropping programme in 2013 to reduce pest species.[5]
In 2016, some 4WD and motorbike tracks were planted, while others were officially recognised for the first time, following a review of wetlands in the park.[7]
A trailbiker was seriously injured in the park in July 2017.[8] A dirt-biker was rescued from the forest in February 2021.[9]
Between December 2017 and August 2018, a 1.7 kilometre zig-zag track that is part of the
In early 2021,
In July 2021, a further 1080 operation was carried out in 2021 to combat a resurgence in possum numbers.[5][12] Heavy rain was contaminated dead possums in the Hutt River and Wellington Harbour.[13]
References
- ^ "Akatarawa Forest > HuttValleyNZ.com". wellingtonnz.com. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- stuff.co.nz. Radio New Zealand.
- ^ "History | Greater Wellington Regional Council". www.gw.govt.nz. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ "Akatarawa Forest | Greater Wellington Regional Council". www.gw.govt.nz. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ Dominion Post.
- Television New Zealand. 1 News.
- Dominion Post.
- Dominion Post.
- Dominion Post.
- Dominion Post.
- Dominion Post.
- ^ "Warning about dead poisoned possums on Hutt riverbed and Wellington Harbour beaches". Greater Wellington Regional Council. 17 July 2021.
- New Zealand Herald. 18 July 2021.