Wai-a-te-Ao Bullock Track – Ecological Restoration

Wai-a-te-Ao Bullock Track Restoration

The Auckland Central Branch of Forest and Bird has a vision is to create an urban oasis where we can learn, enjoy and respect the natural world in the Inner city suburbs.  This area is one you may not really notice – as you drive up and down the Bullock Track. It’st he bush on the left going up the Bullock Track. People used to use it as a refuse tip so all sorts of things have been found in there by our volunteers.

This is an assisted regeneration project where volunteers work to enhance the natural habitat through:

• seed collection from the Tamaki ecological region
• dispersal of collected seed
• plant and mammal pest control to support young vegetation
• a monitoring programme of both vegetation and wildlife across the site.

The project area is the triangle of bush located in Western Springs, beneath the intersection of Old Mill Road and the Bullock Track, following the fence line down to the sports fields below.  The link shows the top entrance to the reserve

This triangle of mostly native trees has been struggling against the morning glory and other weeds and we are taking on the challenge to make this area thrive.

The patch of land contains older and younger trees and shrubs put in a few years ago which have survived because of those in the community who have been weeding around them.

We’ve been working steadily to maintain weed suppression in other parts of the park as well. Our focus is on creating a sustainable and biodiverse ecosystem that will serve as both a valuable green space for the community and a model of urban restoration.  We are excited to see the presence of many regenerating seedlings breaking through such as Kahikatea, Totara and Kohekohe. There are at least five Kahikatea planted by an independent volunteer 20 years ago which are flourishing.

Walking Track

Two of the ongoing challenges in the reserve has been the severe disrepair of the walking track following Cyclone Gabriel, and the continuing work by the Watercare  central interceptor project both of which hinder pedestrian access and over growth of the pathways.

In response Auckland Stadiums have engaged a private company REnature who is submitting a proposal for track repairs so we look forward to confirmation that this work will proceed.

Updates

In 2024, the project achieved significant progress, particularly in weed eradication efforts within the central area, known as the “Bikers Core.” 

2025

Our focus for the first half  2025, is again on clearing the ever persistent morning glory and Japanese honeysuckle, which has grown rapidly over summer and needs to be controlled to protect our native trees and seedlings. 

We’ve already been hard at work, and had our first weeding bee of the year three weeks ago.
 In 2024, our activities included:

4 trapping pulses (6 weeks each),

3 baiting pulses,

7 weeding bees,

2 bird monitoring sessions

Ongoing rubbish collection.

Working Bee Dates 2025

We always need help, both boots on the ground and with co-ordination of activities across the year.

May 11 /June 8 / July 27 / Aug 24 / Sept 14 / Oct /19/ Nov 16 / Dec 14.

Start at 9.30. Meet at the top of the hill.