A spring in walkers’ steps along restored Tahuna Torea track

Story and photos by Jan Power

Auckland Council has completed a long-running project to repair erosion and restore tracks through Glendowie’s treasured nature reserve Tahuna Torea.

To celebrate, a group comprising local residents, Auckland Council staff associated with the project, and Ōrākei Local Board representatives Scott Milne, Sarah Powles, Angus McPhee and Margaret Voyce took part in a ceremony at Roberta Reserve on Sunday, November 17.

This was followed by a walk along the track to the pond at the eastern end (bottom of WestTāmaki Road) then back to Roberta Reserve for a barbecue. Leading the walk was Tahuna Torea’s modern-day champion Shaun Lee. Also in the walking group was one of Tahuna Torea’s original conservation heroes, Chris Barfoot, who opposed plans by a less sympathetic Council back in 1972 to use Tahuna Torea for landfill.

Now in his 90s but still spry and fit and wearing the pounamu presented to him in 2022 by Ōrākei Local Board to acknowledge his outstanding environmental and conservation work, Chris kept up the pace on the restored, well-formed track, with drainage pipes installed and its firm surface enhanced by boardwalks in flood-prone places. Along the way, new or restored signboards draw attention to historic spots and noteworthy flora and fauna.

The ceremony began with a karakia and was followed by speeches by OLB Chairperson Scott Milne as well as Council staff instrumental in the project’s success, including Lionel Anderson, engagement advisor Waitematā and Orākei Local Boards services; Martin Wong, area manager parks and communities; and Mohsen Yazdanian, senior project manager.

Mr Milne noted that “a lot of aroha and $917,000” had gone into “an amazing project that will stand the test of time”. He hoped the track would be well used by the community and Tahuna Torea would continue to be “a sanctuary for endangered creatures.”