Kererū

Kereru is unique – it is a slice of a National park just 3 minutes from the French Baker in Greytown. It is a rare remnant of the once-dominant pukatea/kahikatea forest that stretched all the way from the southern bank of the Waiohine River to Wairarapa moana. It is a highly productive seasonal fruit and vegetable operation. It is a home that opens out to and engages with nature. It’s a native bush lovers paradise.

98b Ahikouka Road
Greytown

In the early spring the native wood pigeons (Kererū) arrive en-mass to seek out the nectar from the flowers of the kowhai trees that line the stream bank. The kereru stay to nest and raise their young over the summer when they feast on the fruit of the tawa, matai and kahikatea trees. A few kereru stay all year round but most migrate to the Tararua ranges to enjoy the late autumn miro berries before returning in spring to start the cycle again. This is where Kererū gets its name.

Kererū is a garden journey of four parts:

Part One is a regenerating remnant of the original forest that once stretched all the way south to Wairarapa Moana. It is a rare surviving example of a tall native bush on the floodplain of the Waiohine and Ruamahanga Rivers and provides a sense of how majestic the forest was before the land was cleared and drained for agriculture. You can still see impressive pukatea, matai, totara and kahikatea trees amongst the tawa, titoki, kowhai and manatu that predominate today.

The forest block (approximately 3ha) is covenanted by the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust. Invasive weeds have been largely eliminated but trapping of predators – rats, stoats, ferrets and feral cats – is ongoing. Murray plants many native seedlings every winter to enhance the natural regeneration. Kereru, tui, kahu, fantails, waxeyes, ruru, grey warblers and shining cuckoo abound. The Piwakawaka are naturally curious and quite unafraid – with Murry often visited by these welcome winged friends as he goes about his restoration work. Murray sees this a the 500 year project.

Part Two…

Part Two is the restored spring-fed waterway that is slowly coming back to life. A decade ago the stream was blocked by the mass of roots and accumulated debris from the huge overhanging willow trees. Now the Muhunoa Stream flows freely, and endangered long-fin eels and giant kokopu make their home there (just like at Pūkaha). Juliet estimates the stretch of stream adjacent to the house is home to over 50 eels. They are captivating to watch, and if you are lucky you might even get the opportunity to feed some.

Restoration of the waterway is labour-intensive and remains a work in progress – 10 years into the 50 year project. Murray’s dedication to the restoration has seen the native wildlife return, not just the birds but the eels, the skinks and geckos, the occasional falcon and kaka as the original vegetation is restored. This remains a prime motivation for Murray knowing the legacy he is creating.

Part Three is the fruit, berry and vegetable garden. It is six years old and is covered with hail net like the central Otago apricot orchards. Here the primary purpose of the cover is to protect the crops from birds while letting the wind, rain, frost and sun work their seasonal magic on the plants. Inside the 100 sq m covered garden, you’ll find avocados, a variety of espaliered stone and pip fruit, cherries, berries and raised beds to grow all the veggies for the household. Murray tends the garden and his wife Juliet processes the produce, sharing any excess, or preserving and freezing for later use.

Part Four is the House gardens. Designed to blend in with the environment the house gardens are a plethora of colour changing native plants and shrubs that work in harmony with nature’s tones, just like the house. The house gardens are a work in progress the vision is to set off the house with colour and texture of native plant cultivars. With the restoration of both the covenanted area and waterway there is a lot to do at Kererū!

Murray is a member of Pūkaha’s governance board. We are thrilled to showcase Kererū for the second time on tour – the eels have got much bigger since 2020 – bring cash for sweet treats from the Cancer Society bake stall and to feed the eels.

* Stout footwear is advised for the walk through the forest block. Follow the pink ribbons that mark the loop track throughout the bush. Do not touch any traps or bait stations.

GALLERY

Kererū

98b Ahikouka Road Greytown

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GALLERY

98b Ahikouka Road
Greytown