Visitors to the long garden

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 was cut through a ridge by the stream.

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.

The community group are based mainly in the Porirua/ Tawa area, and are always happy to welcome new volunteers.

Contact Sylvia, the volunteer co-ordinator at 'Friends of Maara Roa, PO Box 53029, Porirua City' on 04 2374760, or at sylvan@actrix.co.nz

Greater Wellington contact Ross Jackson.

The group has identified the fragile environment and has developed some objectives and aims for the care of this area.

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.

Aims

• 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 biodiversity principles 
• Open new walking tracks 
• Plan for the future reserve.

The group also has political and long term objectives. These include:

• 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.

To find out more, contact the Friends, or visit The Friends of Maara Roa website.

The group is also asking for help with forest monitoring, surveys, seed collection, growing seedlings, fundraising and sponsorship, planning, lobbying and networking.