Waorahi : Another Year On

Bruce Copeland

Waorahi is the old Langs View Subdivision.  Bruce and Janine Copeland purchased the 194ha in October 2020 to incorporate it into the area's expanding Conservation initiatives, secure and open up more public access and to retire the consented subdivision.

 With trapping and following two very successful toxin pulses the number of pests has been reduced to well less than 5% of the original population.  The resulting flourishing has been very encouraging.  The ngahere has bloomed, from new seedlings on the forest floor to new stems and leaves on previously bare branches of old Puriri.  All manner of plants have flowered and without rats, have progressed to seed which has been harvested by a local nursery for propagation. 

 Birds have rapidly appeared, most exciting has been up to a dozen Korimako or Bell Birds which have probably come ashore from the Hen and Chicken Islands.  Kiwi have been located by analysing recordings from listening devices positioned in the bush.  Flocks of Tuis have been seen flying somewhere at dusk.  Fantails and the very smart looking Tomtit are everyday delights.

 Most people will see Waorahi when standing on Langs Beach and looking up at the Piroa Brynderwyn Range.  You may also notice the DOC Carpark when driving back and forth to Mangawhai.  This is the walking access point to the trail that links through to Cullen Road and the Tanekaha Tracks on the Mangawhai side.  It is also part of one of the 87 sections making up the 3000km Te Araroa Trail.  Local Mountain Bikers are also spotted frequently.

 The track is a pleasant walk through to the private road which heads straight up the ridge for around a kilometre where it levels out and is relatively easy going.  Many people have spotted the old track that has been cleared which starts just opposite the road juncture. This has been named the “J9 Track”.  It’s also a beautiful section but it comes to an abrupt end opposite the Pine Cutover Block. 

 With the support of the Wairahi Tracks Trust, a vision has been created to extend the track over the road and down through the cutover block, down through the gully and then upwards through the bush to the ridge.  A public walking track and a more enjoyable alternative to walking the road. 

 This vision took a huge leap forward towards reality when in May 2022 a large group of Volunteers from the Airforce camped on the property and worked tirelessly with Wairahi and Mangawhai Trackies to build a significant length of Track.

 Work paused for winter but will restart when dry enough with the goal of being open in time for the summer.