Matron's bequest buys eco-friendly reserve

By ALANAH MAY ERIKSEN
A bequest from a former Rotorua Hospital matron has given Rotorua a new eco-friendly reserve and better access to the summit of Mt Ngongotaha.

Known as the Violet Bonnington Reserve after its donor, it was opened by Conservation Minister Chris Carter on Saturday morning. It covers half a hectare of land on Paradise Valley Rd, purchased by Rotorua Forest and Bird with a bequest from Mrs Bonnington, who died in 1985. It provides public access to the Ngongotaha Scenic Reserve and connects with the historic Jubilee Track.

About 70 people, including Mrs Bonnington's son Barry Bonnington and Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick, gathered for the ceremony.

Rotorua Forest and Bird chairman Chris Ecroyd said the organisation had been trying to find a suitable site for the reserve for 20 years. The Paradise Valley site seemed appropriate because the only previous public access to Mount Ngongotaha Scenic Reserve has been a 30-minute walk to the top of the mountain from a locked gate on Mountain Rd.

A new walking track through the Violet Bonnington Reserve makes access easier and should encourage locals to "get moving", Mr Ecroyd said.

Ms Bonnington wanted her bequest to be used to buy land for the development of a native bird reserve in a place that the Rotorua public could access and enjoy.

"This will be very valuable to the people of Rotorua and we are able to now protect the native flora and fauna," Mr Ecroyd said.

The new access is already being used by the Mt Ngongotaha Bush Restoration Trust, which is undertaking possum control to protect the area's only remaining large rata tree.

Bird and the Mount Ngongotaha Bush Restoration Trust, and between the Mount Ngongotaha Bush Restoration Trust and the Department of Conservation.

Both documents detail how the organisations will work together to reach their mutual goals of preserving the native bush and improving the habitat for native birds and bats, while providing access to the public.

"This project demonstrates how individuals, the community, and government agencies can pull together for the sake of environmental enhancement," Mr Ecroyd said.

The land was bought from Craig Russell, who had assisted with its subdivision so the reserve could be created. A car park near the site is on Rotorua District Council land.

The new track is a 40-minute-long walk to the top of the mountain for a "reasonably fit" person.

Mr Ecroyd said the new track wasn't open for mountain bikers, dogs or horses and does not cater for those in wheelchairs.