Features

Kauri bark, Trounson Kauri Park

In 1890, when the timber industry threatened to virtually wipe out Northland kauri forests 3.34 hectares was initially set aside here by the Government of the day. An early settler and saw miller James Trounson added a further 22 hectares to this initial gesture.

Following the establishment of a Scenic Preservation Club, Mr Trounson offered to sell another 364 hectares of forest land to the Government for the value of the trees alone. It was officially opened as Trounson Kauri Park in 1921. Direct descendants of the Trounson family remain in the district and have a continued interest in the park.

Trounson Kauri Park has been now managed as a 'mainland island 'since 1995. This is essentially an intensive ecosystem restoration project with a focus on learning. This work also seeks to provide opportunity for the public to enjoy a glimpse of Northland kauri forest like it once was.

A key element in the Department of Conservation's success to date has been the intensive work undertaken to control predators and browsers such as possums, rodents, mustelids and feral cats. The results of the work have been very positive and often quite dramatic as shown by ecosystem monitoring.