New Zealand Walks: Sustainability and Sea Sky Bush
The annual Sea Sky Bush Walks in Central Hawke’s Bay have a proud tradition of not only covering the diverse landscapes the region, but also capturing stories, landmarks and locations relevant to the past, present and future of heartland New Zealand.
The 2016 weekend will feature a traditional sheep farm which has a new perspective on sustainability
Walkers will be welcomed onto Mangarara Station for the “Bush Walk” of the weekend to see and hear their stories about permaculture, regenerative principles and a partnership with the Air New Zealand Environment Trust.
The days walk will begin just
below the Mangarara homestead, built in 1906 by the original settler of the land – Henry Tiffen – and moves out to a viewing point that overlooks Horseshoe Lake and on to Silver Range with Kahuranaki in the distance.
It is a 3km walk down the farm track which will pass by some of the diverse farming systems now operating on Mangarara.
There is a small dairy milking 15 cows to supply milk to the families living on the farm and also the Berkshire pigs and supplementing the feed for the 200 Shaver laying hens.
The farm winters approximately 550 head of cattle and 1000 breeding ewes plus some finishing lambs. More information about the farm can be found on the website www.thefamilyfarm. co.nz
Leaving the road, the walk continues through paddocks which are planted with trees funded by the Air New Zealand Environment Trust.
Since 2008 over 100,000 trees have been planted on Mangarara, most of which are due to a partnership with our national airline.
On the hillside, 20ha (50 acres) of land that has been retired from grazing has been planted in native trees. This area is protected by a covenant that protects this land as a conservation estate for the benefit of all. This block of land connects to a remnant block of native bush with large kahikatea, matai and totara trees prominent.
A hut in the bush will be the lunch stop before continuing through the forest on a track recently formed with help from the Waipukurau Rotary Club.
Emerging from the trees, the track then starts to climb through pasture to the high point on the farm which is approximately 350m above sea level. The view from here is spectacular with the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Ruahine Range to the west.
The descent is along a farm track which passes by dams fenced and planted around and tree lined avenues. These trees are only seven years old so will need a little imagination to envisage what the landscape will look like in another 20 years time.
The last 2.5km is reasonably flat until the last small climb to once again overlook Horseshoe Lake with a short stroll to the Mangarara Eco Lodge (www. mangararaecolodge.co.nz ) which is nestled beside the lake where a wellearned rest and refreshment will be waiting.
To join the locals on this walk experience and book your weekend away in Central Hawke’s Bay, check out www. seaskybush.co.nz for details.