Te Atawhai Whenua, 14 June 2009 3pm

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Today, when you travel from Matiatia to Oneroa, it’s hard to believe that only 16 years ago the flourishing bush on the south side of the road did not exist. Then, the slip-prone hillside had been farmed for many years and was covered in thin grass. It was the late Don Chapple’s vision that saw that hillside transformed: from the time of the first plantings in 1993 until his death in 2005, he dedicated his life to that task.

Don named the 17-hectare reserve ‘Te Atawhai Whenua’ meaning ‘a kindness to the land’ because above all, he wanted to show that it was never too late, that the land could always be healed. Although Don was the main architect of the project, he was assisted over the years by many others who cleared weeds, raised, planted and tended seedlings and who continue his work today.

The walk on Sunday 14 June will be a loop through the reserve and the adjacent wetland, just to enjoy and admire the trees and what has been achieved. The walk will take up to an hour and a half along formed tracks.

Note that while every care is taken, these walks are at your own risk. All welcome.
Meet at 3 pm at the southern end of Matiatia Bay, beside the bridge into the reserve. For more detail contact Jan Ramp 372 8992 or Janet Hunt 372 2450.