Tāpapakanga Regional Park is a regional park situated in the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located in Franklin, east of Kawakawa Bay, and is owned and operated by Auckland Council.[2]

Geography and biodiversity

The park is a mix of farmland, coastal bush and beach, overlooking the Firth of Thames. The native bush remnants include taraire, tānekaha, tawa and rewarewa trees.[1] The park is a known hotspot where the coastal tree species tanguru (Olearia albida) occurs.[3]

History

The land was an important place for the Marutūāhu iwi of the Hauraki Gulf, in particular Ngāti Whanaunga, and it was a traditional area for stonefield gardening.[4] In 1899, settler James Ashby settled on the land, building a kauri homestead with his wife Rebecca in 1900.[4] Ashby developed a lifelong friendship with Ngāti Whanaunga chief Tukumana Te Taniwha.[4] Two pou are found in the regional park, one of which features a carving of James Ashby.[4]

The regional park opened in 1995.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b Janssen, Peter (January 2021). Greater Auckland Walks. New Holland Publishers. p. 162. ISBN 978-1-86966-516-6. OL 34023249W. Wikidata Q118136068.
  2. ^ "Council profile". aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Auckland Council.
  3. ^ Young, Maureen (2006). "Sandspit, Kawau Bay – a hot spot for Olearia albida" (PDF). Auckland Botanical Society Journal. 61: 64.
  4. ^ a b c d e Cameron, Ewen; Hayward, Bruce; Murdoch, Graeme (2008). A Field Guide to Auckland: Exploring the Region's Natural and Historical Heritage (Revised ed.). Random House New Zealand. p. 255. ISBN 978-1-86962-1513.



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