Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project

From Storm Damage to Strength: Building a Forest That Lasts.

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

From the damp ferns of the forest floor to the soaring heights of the emergent giants, discover how we’re turning storm damage into a resilient, 5-layered forest—and how you can join our planting team this June to help us build it.

Interview with Helen Mechen: Virescent Gardens

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Welcome to our Q&A with Helen Mechen, the founder of Virescent Gardens, a native plant nursery nestled in Stokes Valley of Wellington.

Insights from the 2025 Bush Bird Survey

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

We're excited to share the fascinating results of the 2025 Bush Bird Survey, conducted on June 29th and 30th, 2025, at Manawa Karioi! This year's survey provides valuable insights into the birdlife thriving within our cherished reserve.

Manawa Karioi Bush Bird Survey

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Join us for a fun, family-friendly afternoon helping count manu as part of the NZ Garden Bird Survey, now in its 18th year! Together, we’ll build a picture of the birds living in and around Manawa Karioi.

Sealing Up The Edges of the Forest

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Planting a forest is a fairly complicated process, but once you understand the stages, it's not too daunting.

A Special Working Bee – Garden Bird Survey at Manawa Karioi

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Sat, 17 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Sunday 29 June, 1pm–3pm June’s last Working Bee will be a little different – instead of our usual planting and track maintenance, we’ll be turning our eyes and ears to the sky! Manawa Karioi is taking part in the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey, a nationwide project that helps track bird populations across Aotearoa.

20 years (on and off) with Manawa Karioi

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Written by Vanessa Patea When I first moved to Wellington at the start of the millennium, I discovered nestled in the hills of Island Bay, an improbable wooden building called Tapu Te Ranga Marae.

After the Storm: New Life on the Slopes of Manawa Karioi

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Sun, 11 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The big storm that rolled into Wellington in early May caused minor damage at Manawa Karioi.

From Risk to Resilience: Suncorp Steps Up

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

In recent years a group of over 20 old pine trees at Manawa Karioi were beginning to show signs of collapse and both the Tapu-Te-Ranga Trust and the Manawa Karioi Society had become concerned about the risk that these trees posed to people visiting Manawa Karioi.

Look out for our Lookouts!

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 21:04:40 GMT

We put effort into improving our lookout points.

What Did We Plant This Year?

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

We started the planting season in June 2024 by planting along Moemoea, the track on the upper slopes that connects us to the Berhampore Golf Course to the north and Tawatawa Reserve to the south.

New Focus for planting

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Our June working bees saw a focus on planting around some of our lookout points, with an emphasis on low-growing shrubs to avoid blocking the view.

Trees, tracks and a demographic shift!

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT

There were 5 Sundays this June, which along with some pretty good weather, allowed us to get a lot done.

Nature Trail Opening

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Press Release - Te Ara o te Wao Nui a Tāne / The Nature Trail - Opening Event We are inviting the community to join the Manawa Karioi committee and Tapu te Ranga Marae trust in celebrating the opening of Te Ara o te Wao Nui a Tāne/The Nature Trail.

CompassionFest - Honouring Kae Millar

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT

CompassionFest seeks to remember and celebrate local heroes, this time focusing on Kae Miller who started the movement to replant native bush along the South Coast in the 1980s, when she herself was in her mid-70's.

Nick Logan and the Adopt-a-spot scheme

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT

After-planting care is important for some sites, especially where our plants can be smothered by fast-growing grass and other weeds.

Planting Ferns on the Nature Trail

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 22:52:47 GMT

The spring-fed stream which attracts the pīwakawaka, and has the perfect conditions for Nikau to flourish. One focus of the Nature Trail is ferns. They are difficult to propagate, which is why we have planted very few of them. But they will establish on their own once sufficient cover is provided as they don't like too much direct sun. Several fern species have established in locations around Manawa Karioi, and fortunately they are easy to transplant. Which is good as a lot tend to grow right on the track, where if left they will block access. Species we will be transplanting along the Nature Trail are:

Huruhuru Whenua. This is the most common fern around south Pōneke as its' thick glossy leaves can cope with salt-laden winds. They also give it a tropical look. It gets quite large - growing up to 1m high and 1.5m wide. Mamaku The tallest tree fern, Mamaku grows 20m tall, with the fronds being 4m long. It's the most common tree fern in Poneke, and while it thrives in deep, damp gullies, it can grow in quite exposed areas too.

The unfurling frond of the Ponga. Ponga The second tallest tree fern, Ponga grows 10m tall. The fronds have a white underside, which have been used for hundreds of years to aid with walking at night as they reflect moonlight - kind of like a torch! Also known as "Silver Fern", the Ponga frond is a common logo, particularly on sports uniforms. People often refer to all tree ferns as "ponga", but there are 8 species of tree fern in total. The trunk of a tree fern is actually an extension of its root system, which is why some species will grow back from sections of cut trunk.

A welcome Surprise in our Tree Order

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Sat, 27 May 2023 22:16:38 GMT

This year we got a surprise when Wellington City Council's Berhampore plans nursery supplied 10 large Northern Rata (Meterosideros robusta) with our usual order of 500 plants.

Free Community Event: City Nature Challenge Guided Walk

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT

The City Nature Challenge Guided Walk - The 3 Southern Reserves.Sunday April 30th, 10.30am - 12.30pmBring sturdy shoes, water and a picnic lunch.The City Nature Challenge is a great chance to help people connect with their backyards, natural environments, parks and reserves. As part of this city-wide event we are hosting a 2-hour walk through 3 of our southern restoration reserves. If you would like to make wildlife observations as part of the City Nature Challenge, please bring your smart phone to take photos. You can sign up on the iNaturalist website and use the iNaturalist app to record any wildlife observations, this is of course optional otherwise you can just enjoy the walk and meet some great people!

The City Nature Challenge Guided WalkThe 3 Southern Reserves - The Walk Rundown Sunday April 30th, 10.30am The meeting point for the walk is at 10.30am at 46a Derwent street in Island Bay at the entrance of Paekawakawa Reserve. Please be on time so we can set off as a group.The walk will begin at the entrance of Paekawakawa reserve on Derwent Street and head up the valley passing by streams, and through restored native bush in the Paekawakawa reserve. You will be treated to unique vantages of Tapu te Ranga Island and Raukawa Moana (the Cook Strait).We will then enter the oldest restoration project in Pōneke, Manawa Karioi on Tapu te Ranga Marae land and hike along part of the loop track called Te Ahi Kā with amazing views over Island Bay Valley and back to the city.We will depart Manawa Karioi on the ridge line and enter into Tawatawa reserve, we will past the reservoir on the City to Sea track stopping for a break at the Lizard Garden with views over Hawkins Hill and the Dog Park.We will then head back down the hill and there is a picnic spot at the starting point for those who would like to have a picnic lunch.We are looking forward to meeting you all and sharing our enthusiasm for our Southern reserves. We will have a few spots where we stop to tell you about the 3 reserves. Feel free to bring your dog (and a lead) and any keen children.Please RSVP with names and contact emails to manawakarioisociety@gmail.com so we can keep track of numbers and incase of cancellation due to weather.

2022 Planting Session - Landslips and Feeding the Birds

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 05:38:46 GMT

Another planting season has finished and what a wet one it has been! While a wet winter means lots of moisture in the soil (allowing for good plant growth during spring and summer) it can also bring some challenges.

Trapping Update - May 2022

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Fri, 27 May 2022 23:33:57 GMT

Trapping Update from Manawa Karioi.

Weed Action Workshop

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Mon, 02 May 2022 03:59:28 GMT

On a sunny Sunday morning in April, members of the South Wellington Weed Action Coalition (SWWAC!) met in the Voglemorn Community Centre for an exciting morning of weed work.

30th Anniversary Celebration and Pub Quiz

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 21:30:43 GMT

Manawa Karioi – 30th Anniversary Celebration and Pub Quiz After a postponement due to Covid, a very successful 30th anniversary celebration and fund-raising pub quiz for Manawa Karioi was held at the Parrotdog Bar in Island Bay on 19 October 2021.

Lockdown Weed Eradication - We would love your help!

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 23:29:22 GMT

We hope you are all doing well during Level 4 lockdown.

Manawa Karioi 30th Anniversary & Pub Quiz Fundraiser

Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 04:44:38 GMT