With keen walker David Mallowes taking a brief hiatus from exploring the local area on foot, he thought it was a good chance for east Auckland volunteer groups to inform the community about their work.
- By Friends of Mangemangeroa chairperson Marion Skelton
Mangemangeroa Reserve is a treasure in our backyard, with a unique and diverse landscape featuring native forest, open farmland, estuary, and salt marsh habitats.
The main entrance is beside the barn on Somerville Road, with additional access points from Sandspit Road, Pohutukawa Avenue, Hayley Lane, and Point View Drive.
Five kilometres of walking tracks weave through mature and regenerating bush, freshwater creeks, mangroves, and mudflats.
Some paths include steps and short steep sections, but the stunning views make it worth the effort.
How did it all begin?
Originally part of the Somerville farm, the land subdivided in 1984 was purchased by Manukau City Council in 1994.
At the time, years of farming had left the area degraded. A dedicated group comprised of Betty Harris, Jack and Dorothy McKenzie, Jim Duckworth, and Austen Gates, envisioned restoring the land.
Their vision led to the formation of Friends of Mangemangeroa, supported by Rotary, local schools, and the community.
Since then, over 35,500 volunteer hours have gone into planting more than 125,000 eco-sourced native plants.
Challenges and changes
One of the biggest challenges today is adapting to climate change.
Increasing droughts and intense rainfall are damaging the ecosystem.
Taraire trees, once thriving, are now dying or falling during storms.
We now carefully select plant species more resilient to these extremes while working to stabilise any new slips with appropriate vegetation.
Looking ahead
We continue to work with the support of Auckland Council and Howick Local Board.
While most of the reserve has been restored, ongoing maintenance remains critical, including infill planting, weed control, and replacing plants as the forest canopy matures.
Sustaining this work depends on having enough volunteers.
- If you’d like to contribute, join our weekly working group held every Wednesday from 9am-11.30am. All tools are provided. To get involved, email us at thefriendsofmangemangeroa@gmail.com.
