Inaugural open day for To¯ tara Reserve

To¯ tara Reserve in Pohangina Valley is hosting a free open day on Saturday.

From 10.30am to 1.30pm, attendees will be able to try out a range of fun activities centred around Horizons Regional Council’s core areas of business – biosecurity, biodiversity and freshwater monitoring.

Horizons will provide free buses from Feilding, Palmerston North and Ashhurst to and from the event.

Horizons councillor Fiona Gordon says she is excited about the reserve reopening after cylone damage in February.

“Cyclone Gabrielle made a significant impact on To¯tara Reserve, and although our staff were dedicated to getting on with the cleanup as soon as they could, the scale of damage done meant it was not a quick job. We are so pleased to be able to open the campground back up to the public again following months of hard work on the ground.

“This inaugural open day is centred around the message Tuia te taiao, tuia te tangata, which means connecting the environment to the people, and the people to the environment.

“We wanted to focus on this message as we reopen this special area, alongside tangata whenua, back up to the public again.”

Those coming along can expect to build weta motels or rat traps, and learn more about pest plants, pest animals and native birds found at the reserve.

“There will also be a stand for To¯tara Reserve specifically, featuring information on walking trails and camping, and a scavenger hunt for all ages which will take you through the reserve.”

The reserve, at 92 Churchill Rd, is the Horizons region’s only regional park. It is one of the best and most accessible examples of the diverse lowland forest that was once widespread in the region.