Eskdale Reserve Regeneration

» Eskdale Reserve Regeneration

Ōpuawānanga / Eskdale Park Regeneration

Ōpuawānanga / Eskdale Park (formerly Eskdale Reserve) is our tūrangawaewae - a place of deep connection and purpose. It is where local volunteers began conservation work in 1998, leading to the creation of Kaipātiki Project. Today, we continue our regeneration efforts across Ōpuawānaga (the Eskdale Reserve Network), honouring both the legacy of this space and its evolving identity.

Our native plant nursery is nestled at the base of the reserve, alongside our purpose-built EcoHub. Here, we host weekly volunteering, community learning events and ecological monitoring and citizen science programmes—all rooted in the vision of restoring and protecting this special urban ngahere.

Ōpuawānanga / Eskdale Park contains good examples of riparian forest and kauri broadleaved-podocarp associations. It also provides a riparian buffer to Eskdale stream and links with Oruamo stream. Natural areas are extremely vulnerable to weed invasion, pest impacts, fragmentation, wind exposure and physical isolation from similar areas.

Significance of the reserve

Eskdale Reserve is classified as a ‘High Value’ site and a Significant Ecological Area under the Auckland Council Unitary Plan.

The initial inspiration and continued focus for Kaipātiki Project’s restoration work lies in the Eskdale Reserve Network. These reserves combined (approx. 74h) are one of the most unique urban forest eco systems and the largest urban forest in Tāmaki Makaurau ecological region. Forming part of the North-West Wildlink, they provide large areas of continuous urban native vegetation. The network encompasses depleted Kauri podsols on the ridgeline through broadleaf/podocarp forest, down to saltwater edge plants, including one of the few remaining swamps in Auckland containing Swamp Maire (Myrtle family) a rarity and treasured species threatened by Myrtle Rust.

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Our work

The ongoing work by volunteers and community contributes to rare sightings of freshwater mussels and a giant kōkopu (only the second sighting in living memory in Auckland).

The experienced Kaipātiki Project Restoration team facilitates volunteer activities year-round in the reserve that contribute to Predator Free 2050, the reduction of invasive weed species and improving native ecosystems. We partner with Māori to understand how matauranga Māori can improve environmental outcomes for the area and incorporate this into our work. We adopt a chemical-free approach to all our restoration activities.

We run weekly volunteer sessions with regular volunteers led by expert ecologists. Dedicated to preserving this special reserve and making a positive impact on the environment, we invite new volunteers to join us.

Our adjacent native plant nursery supports our restoration activities by growing plants from seeds collected in the reserve and then planting in the reserve to increase native biodiversity and provide forest candy for birds and bugs.

Our Stream Care programme supports our restoration goals by providing regular freshwater monitoring of the stream flowing through the reserve.

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Titiwai - Glowworm colony restoration

To increase our understanding of present populations of Titiwai (Glowworms) in the Eskdale and Witheford Reserve Network, we are undertaking the initial baseline surveys and conducting regular ongoing monitoring of specific populations once identified. This is to establish opportunities whereby habitat restoration/ protection can be undertaken by volunteers to enhance the survival of identified populations or create circumstances whereby new colonies can become established in previously degraded or completely new sites.

Titiwai (NZ Glowworms - Arachnocampa luminosa) are well known in damp dense bush throughout the Auckland region, however there is little knowledge about the dynamics of specific populations and how they are impacted by habitat change, predators and drought. Associated with sheltered, shady stream banks, several established populations in the Eskdale Reserve have been severely disrupted by extensive track modification and recent floods. This presents us with a timely opportunity to study not only healthy populations in the Eskdale Reserve Network but also establish ongoing monitoring of disrupted sites to understand how they recover naturally, and how we might accelerate this process by habitat restoration or through seeding sites via translocation of larvae from nearby sites.

Titiwai have a fundamental place in Māori cosmogeny 'Te maramatanga namunamu ki taiao' —This was the dim, feeble glimmer emanating from Moko-huruhuru, or Hine-huruhuru, the glow-worm. This was the very first phase of light known.

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Explore Eskdale Reserve network

Step into one of Auckland’s hidden ecological gems, Eskdale Reserve. Wander through lush native bush, listen to birdsong and see the impact of local conservation in action. Whether you're after a peaceful walk or a deeper connection with nature, this reserve offers a refreshing escape. Explore the area with the Kaipātiki Explorer, created by KCFT, featuring maps, walking tracks and fascinating facts to help you uncover the stories behind our local reserves.

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Ngā mihi nui to our incredible funders and partners

Your support makes everything we do possible!

KLB Foundation North 10 5 Stout Trust KCFT 10 5 cm