A treasure of Waiheke
He taonga o Waiheke
THIS BEAUTIFUL IMAGE WAS GENEROUSLY SUPPLIED BY WAIHEKE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY. TĒNĀ KOE E HOA I TŌ ĀWHINA, THANK YOU FRIENDS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
McKenzie Reserve is the only substantial reserve on the northern side of Waiheke Island with a view of the ocean. This location is especially significant as most visitors to the island frequent the northern beaches of Waiheke. Stable walking tracks, bespoke furniture, stream crossings have all been installed and maintained and are constantly maintained.
The task is to not only protect the native fauna, but also the sea. Filtering the run-off water down the valley through rocks, mulch and vegetation ensures cleaner water runs into the ocean.
THE IDEAL LOCATION
McKenzie Reserve is the perfect picnic spot offering expansive views across many of the Hauraki Gulf islands on the northern side of Waiheke Island.
Nature play and education
OUR TAMARIKI
HUEY, THEA, LILY, TOM AND ISLA
"For the Neville grandchildren, McKenzie Reserve is a magical place. They call it The Dragons!
Simply allowing children to play in nature in a safe way is invaluable. Friends often share stories of their tamariki/children meandering and picking up interesting shaped sticks off the paths such as feathers or other nature-discarded treasures! There’s a great sense of independence and adventure, and tamariki/children often return with a new observation, idea or story to tell of their adventures in McKenzie Reserve.
The ephemeral stream and the wetland on rainy days are a magnet for exploration and experimentation. These stream beds are shallow and safe for unstructured play. Come and enjoy breath-taking views and rekindle your energy all within an easy stroll to an enclosed swimming spot at Enclosure Bay, or take the Sandy Bay track which brings you close to the waters of this neighbouring beautiful beach.
THINGS TO DO
We highly encourage nature play and outdoor education
for our tamariki/children. They delight in discovering interesting sites for casual play.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
The Reserve regularly sees groups from a wide variety of places - from corporate groups wanting to volunteer, walking groups (many from Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland) and guided hikoi/walks offered through the Waiheke Walking Festival, kura/schools and Scouts and Guide groups.
ECOLOGICAL ZONES
There are five distinctly different ecological zones within the Reserve:
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Wetland and lower water course; wetland grasses (i.e. carex secta, carex virgata, cyperus ustulata), kahikatea, mānuka, nikau and ti kouka/cabbage trees.
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Lowland forest (kahikatea, pukatea and tōtara).
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Regenerating forest (kānuka, mānuka, mapou, mahoe and mingimingi).
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Broadleaf forest (karaka, taraire, kohekohe, tawa and nikau).
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Kauri zone (kauri and tanekaha).
ASPECTS OF THE HUB SIGNS
THE HUB - what the layers in a mature forest look like
THE HUB - A feature sign here is all about the end goal: a proper climax forest with five layers. Stories reveal the current inhabitants of the Reserve and also the birdlife that we intend to attract in the future.
THE WETLANDS - what grows in the wettest part of the reserve?
THE WETLANDS - Mentions the kahikatea, one of New Zealand's great trees with a special story.
THE LOOKOUT - creating a forest in dry, windy conditions
THE LOOKOUT - Mentions the tōtara we have planted, these slow growing forest giants are going to dominate parts of the Reserve.
THE GLADE - what do kererū and tūī eat throughout the year?
THE GLADE - Shows how two of our most popular native birds, the kererū and the tūī use native forest trees as their food source throughout the year. This sign is like a big food calendar, showing what is on offer month by month.
THE INTERACTIVES
A series of fun interactive ‘lift up’ signs can be found that reveal fascinating facts about inhabitants of the Reserve.
VIEWPOINTS AND PICNIC SPOTS
There are so many interesting aspects to look out towards from the Reserve.
From 180° sea views to the canopy of regenerating forest, it’s a wonder to behold.
Whether you’re looking for a shady grove or a sunny lookout, you’re sure to find the perfect picnic spot here too. It’s such a fun and inviting natural environment with so much to explore.
