Heritage Park benefits from tree felling
Around 60 gum trees, gorse and tobacco weed have been cleared at the Kororipo Heritage Park, opening up views and green space near the Kerikeri Basin.
DOC Senior Ranger Historic Andrew Blanshard says the project to clear the trees and weeds from the kainga (village) along to the Pa, is part of efforts to reconnect the historic sites in the heritage park.
‘‘This will get the Kororipo Pa site and the history back into the Kororipo Heritage Park.
‘‘Until recently we have relied on Kemp House, and the Stone Store to tell the stories, but those buildings are only here from the Pa.
‘‘We want to get people to know their history.’’
Blanshard says the redevelopment of the heritage park began in 2006 and 2007 with the removal of the vehicle bridge near the Stone Store and the installation of the heritage bypass.
‘‘This side [where the Pa is located] has been a little bit forgotten, and this will open it up there again.’’
Blanshard says the kainga site, which is buried, will also be subject to ‘‘a small scale piece of archaeological investigation’’ to discover what lies beneath the surface.
He says 60-odd trees were cleared, with around 50 per cent showing signs of structural flaws or coming to the end of their life.
‘‘We wanted the ridge line to be visible, if people see others walking up here, hopefully they will want to walk there too.
‘‘Now we can mow it, and hopefully it will be a real asset.’’
Tracks leading to the Pa were closed for a few weeks while work was being done to clear the site.
With the Kerikeri bicentennial celebrations occurring in 2019, the clearing of trees were also one of the final improvements to the heritage park in preparation for the event, Blanshard says.
‘‘As a precinct we are so fortunate to have it in the middle of our town.
‘‘We are providing the opportunity to tell stories, hopefully we keep growing it and keep people interested.
‘‘At any age people can get something out of it.’’
The Kororipo Heritage Park is included in the Landmarks Whenua Tohunga initiative.
What do you think of the new look Pa site? Email jenny.ling@fairfaxmedia.co.nz or have your say on Neighbourly or Facebook.