Visiting the Karapoti Rata in the Akatarawa Conservation Forest

Looking after the seedlings planted in the park (with releasing and watering) isn't the most glamorous of work on the Peak, but it is vital to their success...and our vision of a world class MTB park in a restored native forest. So we offer volunteers a bribe each season - a trip to an inspirational patch of forest in the Wellington region. Previous trips have been to the Wainuiomata water catchment, Silver Stream reserve, and Matiu-Somes Island.

This year we visited the Karapoti Rata in the Akatarawa Conservation Forest. This behemoth is the largest in the world, and well over a thousand years old. Getting there involves a gnarly, off-track hike - unfortunately not something that can be ridden to.

Large rata were a common sight at Makara Peak up to 150 years ago. Fire and then possums killed off all but three survivors near Koru. With ongoing planting and pest control, we aim to have Northern rata brighten up Makara Peak once again.