At Tangiaro, the bush still echos with the primal calls of unusual birds and insects. In fact the Tangiaro Valley has one of the highest Kiwi call rates in the North Island - there is a good chance youíll hear this unique call yourself during your stay with us at Tangiaro.

 

About 10 to 15% of the total land area of New Zealand is covered with native flora, from tall kauri and kohekohe forests to rainforest dominated by rimu, beech, tawa, matai and rata; ferns and flax; dunelands with their spinifex and pingao; alpine and subalpine herb fields; and scrub and tussock.
Important species include:
• Kauri • Rata • Nikau • Silver Fern • Mamaku (Black Tree Fern) • Medicinal herbs: Kawakawa • Koromiko, Harakiki (Flax)

The New Zealand bush is evergreen and many species flower or fruit in both Autumn and Spring. There is much ancient Maori healing wisdom using tonics and salves derived from the leaves, roots and bark of the bush.



The most important species in the area are:
• North Island Kiwi • Hochstetter Frog • Brown Teal (Pateke) • Weta (giant grasshopper) • Centipede • Archie's Frog • Wood Pigeon (Keruru) • Tui
• Kaka • Bellbird • Fantail
Scientists are now realising the extent to which distinct species occur only in small highly localised areas.


Since the arrival of man and other exotic predators to New Zealand, the delicate ecosystems of the New Zealand bush have become severely altered.

This has come at the expense of many species which are now either severely threatened or extinct. Together with our partners we have ongoing programmes in place to reintroduce and protect rare and endangered species at Tangiaro. The upper Coromandel peninsula is home to several ancient species.

 

Regrettably, without these measures our native forests would soon become silent - devoid of birdsong and home to increasing numbers of dead trees