Conservation and protection
Pukenui Forest/Whau Valley Catchment
Geology
Dissected fault block of greywacke and argillite, deposition and erosion of volcanic materials from young volcanoes such as Parakiore, Parahaki, Maunu.
Soils
Clay rich over deeply weathered parent materials. Fertile alluviums in valley bottoms.
Landform: Rolling to moderately steep hill country rising to 361m above sea level, forming a distinctive backdrop to Whangarei city.
Hydrology
Mangere stream and surrounding bush
Mangere Stream to the west is part of the headwaters of the Wairua River, draining into the Northern Wairoa River and Kaipara Harbour. A series of small catchments to the north-east dammed by the Whau Valley Dam. To south and east flow Te Hihi and Raumanga Streams, which join the Waiarohia Stream flowing into the Whangarei Harbour.
Flora
Core of relatively unmodified lowland podocarp hardwood forest with scattered mature kauri. Stands of taraire, totara, kahikatea, hard beech and kawaka, and king fern. Modified periphery of shrubland seral hardwoods with regenerating podocarps including rimu and tanekaha.
Fauna
Threatened species including long tailed bat, North Island brown kiwi and kukupa. Pied tit, kaka, kakariki and tui, and a variety of introduced bird species.
Management issues include impacts of animal pests (high possum numbers, rats, cats, stoats, ferrets, goats) and the need for surveys of ginger, pampas, honeysuckle and mistflower.
Barge Showgrounds
Small wetlands area with native and exotic wildlife. Areas of regenerating bush. Ecological corridor to Whau Valley catchment.