Summer news from Te Mata Park

Te Mata Park awarded international Green Flag Community Award

We are delighted to have received the Green Flag Community Award 2024/2025, an international recognition of quality that highlights the Park’s recreational and environmental value. This is the sixth Green Flag award the Park has received.

Te Mata Park is one of three spaces in New Zealand to receive the Community Award, which recognises the efforts of trusts or community groups who manage recreation spaces. We would like to thank all the volunteers who give their time, energy, and expertise to the Park as well as our key partners Te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Heretaunga – Hastings District Council and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

You can read more about the award win here.

Goodbye Mike – over 30 years of valuable service

If you are a regular in the Park you will no doubt have seen Mike Lusk hard at work. Perhaps he told you about a species endemic to the Park, imparted a nugget of Peak history, or gave you a lesson about track etiquette! We recently had the unenviable task of farewelling Mike and his wife Ros who have moved north to be closer to family. Mike has been volunteering in the Park for over 30 years and has led the dedicated Friends of Te Mata Park group for much of that time.  The impact of Mike’s contribution to Te Mata Park is wide ranging and immeasurable, from the regeneration of native species, his willingness to provide advice on flora and fauna, to his input into our Landscaping & Planting Committee, presence at our school visits, and the sheer volume of practical work he has undertaken in the Park. A true giant of the Park, we sincerely thank Mike for all he has contributed. We are pleased to share Mike’s final newsletter section below.

Words from Mike Lusk

February is the month when poor planting decisions are most evident. A lot of planning goes into Te Mata Park’s planting; we have to take into account the free-draining limey soil and at least in November and December, dry hot winds. The exposure of plants cosseted in partial shade with reliable watering is a shock so best practice is hardening off in a less protected place. Careless transporting of plants can exposes them to a wind blowing at least as fast as the vehicle is moving. Then planting out provides another shock, even if done with care and in ideal conditions. This is why we plant in such a narrow window in Te Mata Park allowing the roots to recover and move down into the deeper damper soil as the surface layers dry out.

It is tempting to plant ‘glamour’ trees but this is unwise and wasteful, kind to the those selling plants but most unkind to the plants themselves. The glamour trees almost without exception start off in the shady calm conditions of a nursery layer, manuka and kanuka being especially suitable in the Park. After a couple of years the nursery is well established and the larger trees such as totara, rimu, tawa and the like can be planted in conditions mimicking nature. The birds will start bringing in seeds too, coprosmas and mahoe being two of the most useful in our situation.

Ongaonga in Te Mata Park and tips to protect your dog

From time to time we get questions about the presence of ongaonga in the Park. While our Caretakers cut back ongaonga that is encroaching on tracks, we are committed to retaining pockets of the native stinging nettle as it is the food source for caterpillars of the native kahukura (red admiral butterfly).

While ongaonga can cause irritation if touched by humans, reactions from dogs can be more severe and it is important to be aware of the presence of ongaonga in the Park and know what to do if your dog reacts to it. Thanks to local vet Dr Vicki Gilchrist from AnimalCare we have some information on ongaonga toxicity in dogs, which you can access here. Ongaonga can be found throughout the Park, but most notably the top end of the Little Redwoods, in Webb’s Bush, in the stand of conifers below the abseiling rock, and along parts of the south boundary. Dog owners may like to use a lead in those areas.

Become a Friend of Te Mata Park

If you love spending time in the Park, and want to give back, you might be interested to join our volunteer group, Friends of Te Mata Park.  The group meets on the second Saturday morning of every month for a few hours of mahi in the Park. Work includes native planting, weed releasing, pest plant control, minor track maintenance, and general tidy up work, all depending on the time of year and what is happening in the Park. Some of our dedicated group members are moving on so we have some spots available. If you would like to find out more or join a morning and see what it’s all about, email our Park Manager Sarah.

Peak Trail Blazer: 30 March 2025

The much loved Peak Trail Blazer event is back on Sunday 30th March 2025. With two course options, the 3.5km Tainui Trail or the 12.8km Te Mata Peak Trail, this family friendly event caters to all levels and promises a fun atmosphere and some amazing prizes.

The funds raised go to Havelock North Primary and Te Mata Park Trust. A big thank you to the organisers for their continued support of the Trust.

For registration and course information, go to the Peak Trail Blazer website.