Rare chance to walk Puketi Forest

Those who take on next month's Kauri Challenge will enter a world that many no longer have access to. Photo/Supplied

The Puketi Forest Trust will once again host its annual Kauri Challenge on January 27, giving the public an opportunity to enjoy areas of Puketi Forest that are not easily accessible, and experience a thriving ecosystem.

"This is one of the greatest one-day walks in Northland," a spokesman said.

"Participants will travel along an old logging road, descend 350m to the stunningly beautiful Waipapa River, and finally exit the forest along what was intended to be a road from the Hokianga to Kaeo, but was abandoned in a partly constructed state in the 1930s."

The cost for the day, $50-$70, included sponsorship of one hectare for a year, a sausage sizzle at the Forest Pools, return transport to the start and a map and information on points of interest along the route.

Given that the trampers will cover 21km, a reasonable level of fitness is required. There is a 12km option for a limited number of people.

The trust believes that those who take part in the walk will gain an appreciation of the on-going effort involved in keeping introduced pests at a level so low they are having a minimal impact on the native flora and fauna.

In his report to the 14th annual general meeting of the Puketi Forest Trust, chairman Dr Gary Bramley outlined its activities of the trust over the past year, noting that 64 volunteers had contributed almost 4000 hours. A significant amount of that time was spent servicing traps on the easier trap-lines that targeted stoats, rats, possums and feral cats.

The removal of 7376 pests by the volunteers and contractors over the past year meant kokako and robins (reintroduced to Puketi by the trust) had increased in number and range.

Kiwi specialist Dr John McLennan, who visited Puketi recently, said that the steady call rate over the last seven years suggested that trapping had enabled kiwi to build up a healthy adult population, which was being maintained.

Members of the Auckland Botanical Society also praised the work of the trust when they visited earlier in the year and discovered a plant not previously recorded in the forest, and several others that were making a comeback after being almost wiped out by possums.

Entry forms for the walk, and further information, is available from Cherry Blossom Florist (phone (09) 407-8661 or (09) 401-9313 after hours), or at www.puketi.org.nz