Ko te whenua ko au
Ko au te whenua

The History

Our place has a fascinating history spanning centuries of occupation and influence from the original Maori migrations, through the arrival of Cook in 1769, then significantly changing in the 19th century by the Musket Wars, followed by the arrival of the Nova Scotian settlers. The influence of both Maori and European resonates in the names ‘Wairahi’, ‘McKenzie Cove’ and ‘Langs Beach’. The current landscape reflects all that has gone before us and is a treasure to be nurtured and handed on.
Wairahi the place, the history , the story,

The Taonga

The Wairahi Tracks project operates in the Piroa/Brynderwyn ‘High Value Area’ which is one of five High Value Areas in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland). This area is home to many threatened and significant plant and fauna species including the native Hockstetter’s frog and longfin eel. Much loved local birds such as the tui, the kereru and the piwakawaka are numerous in the area and many others: miromiro (tomtit), kopere (bellbird), karawhiu (fern bird) and red-crowned kakariki visit from the off shore islands. Kiwi have been released in several parts of the region and are now successfully breeding .

However we have many threats: kauri dieback, invasive weeds, ferrets, stoats, and weasels . We all need to work together to nuture and protect the treasures.

Learn more about work in the Piroa-Brynderwyn High Value Area in link below:

The Region

More than a dozen community led conservation projects are working together within the Piroa-Brynderwyns Landcare (PBL) collective to restore biodiversity in an area covering more than 20,000 ha.

One of the aims is that kiwi will be heard throughout Piroa. Alongside this is the aim to conserve and protect what remains and where possible restore that which has been lost.

Community involvement in conservation projects has led to an interest in forming walking and cycling tracks allowing public access to the ngahere (forest).

The Wairahi Tracks project aims to add to the walking and cycling tracks in the region - allowing public access to the ngahere (forest), building community involvement and partnerships with local conservation efforts such as Weed Action Piroa-Brynderwyns, Waipu Kiwis and many others.

The tracks are part of a growing network of community tracks in the region including the Te Araroa Trail which runs through the hills behind Langs beach .