Ngapaeruru - Mangatoro Scenic Reserve

An accessible area (8 hectares) of lowland mixed podocarp forest, fortunate to escape the heady timber milling days. The trees were so healthy and hearty here that this was the very locale that the "Luxford and Wyld's patent traversing hoist" (Horse drawn log hauler) was trialled, tested and used. NZPlaces would love to hear from anyone with information about this long lost invention or the inventors.

There is a 15-minute circular walk. Look for a giant totara, miro, matai, rimu and kahikatea and on the hill slopes lacebark, lancewood and five finger. There are many birds, including tuis, bellbirds, grey warblers and fantails.

The reserve has changed names from Ngapaeruru to Mangatoro but both are commonly used. Claims of a Totara tree rivalling the largest ever found are disputed, but indisputably there is an impressively large Totara on the loop track near the entrance to the reserve. There are swimming holes in the river too.

Please send NZPlaces a picture of this special place.

Image Credit: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19001102-7-1