Friends of Maara Roa

The Cannons Creek valley in Belmont Regional Park is home to two little lakes, and a tiny stream which has carved out a wide valley down from the tops.

Once this valley was full of trees and birdsong. Hidden here, there still are some fine native New Zealand trees - tawa, kohekohe, pukatea, kahikatea, white rata and nikau palms, with many tree ferns. Halfway from the heights of Cannons Head (390 m) there is a deep gorge which the stream has cut through a ridge.

For those who venture across country, there are panoramic views of Porirua City and the Tasman Sea. Yet the valley, between the cities of Porirua, Wellington and Hutt, is relatively little known.

In early settler times, virgin forest here was milled and burnt, and farming was attempted. But the stripped soil was poor; farms failed, and land reverted to the Crown. Now the valley has been retired from farming; but gorse soon found the old pastures, possums took over bush and grassy clearings, while rats, stoats and feral cats took over the birds.

Then fire in the gorse became the biggest threat, with severe burns in 1981, 1997 and 2003, killing mature trees.

The biggest problem of all is that a main highway is to cross this valley one day. A 300 meter long viaduct will be built across the gorge. Streams, hillside, gorge and forest trees will be in danger from roadworks and the traffic that follows.

The story is told that in former times a Maori woman, name unknown, tended a garden on a long strip of land somewhere in the northern side of this valley. She grew fruit and vegetables there, and shared them generously with Maori and Pakeha alike. So well-known did she become for her hospitality, that travellers called her home "Maara Roa - The Long Garden".The nearby Marae has honoured her by naming the Wharenui "Ukaipo Hiato" - the gathering place of the mother who provides for all the people.The Friends of "Nga Hoa o Maara Roa" intend to recreate a forest "garden" here, whose pleasures can be similarly shared by all in years to come.

What we hope for

The whole valley in public ownership

Year round access for walks in the bush

Mitigation of motorway impacts

Future bush corridor across the hills to Petone

Objectives

To enhance and restore the native forest

To guard and develop it for public ownership and enjoyment

To cooperate with City and Regional Councils and other bodies

To provide a venue for educational activities

To protect all its indigenous flora and fauna

What we do

Grow native seedlings
Plant and look after new native trees
Protect existing bush
Improve freshwater wetland
Control pest animals and weeds
Reinstate the big native trees
Follow bio-diversity principles
Open new walking tracks
Plan for the future reserve

To find out more, contact the Friends.