Hawke’s Bay: Two public reserves and kiwi sanctuary reopen after cyclone

White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve has reopened to the public near Tangoio and contains stunning walks and birdlife. Photo / DoC

Two popular reserves in Hawke’s Bay featuring stunning walks and a kiwi sanctuary have reopened to the public.

The Department of Conservation (DoC) has reopened Opouahi Scenic Reserve in Tutira and White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve in Tangoio, almost 18 months on from Cyclone Gabrielle.

The sites were closed to the public after suffering extensive damage during the cyclone in February 2023.

Opouahi Scenic Reserve features a fenced kiwi creche, with public access, and both reserves boast stunning walking tracks.

White Pine Bush is a 30-minute drive north of Napier, while Opouahi is about an hour’s drive north of Napier.

DoC senior community ranger Lindsay Tallman said a lot of work had gone into re-opening the reserves.

“There were major slips inside Opouahi kiwi creche, the lake track became inaccessible and more than 200 sheep made their way into the creche through two separate openings in the fence,” Lindsay said, of damage caused by the cyclone.

“We mounted a rescue mission into the creche and managed to recover nine kiwi chicks.

Opouahi Scenic Reserve includes Lake Opouahi and a kiwi creche. Photo / DoC

“Fence repairs were prioritised for the safety of the kiwi. These were completed in March 2023 thanks to hard work from the Environment, Conservation and Outdoor Education Trust.

“A vigorous stock removal and trapping programme was also undertaken inside the creche to remove the sheep which had wandered inside.”

In December, the first kiwi chicks were returned to the creche, and four more chicks were released back into the creche early this year.

That education trust, DoC and another trust, Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust, have been working on track repairs.

The Opouahi kiwi creche is surrounded by a 3.3km fence to protect young kiwi from predators.

Kiwi, when they reach adulthood, are then released into the Kaweka Forest Park.

Opouahi is also home to many indigenous plants including rongoā (medicinal plants).