# Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve

Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve is a public conservation reserve on Banks Peninsula south of Christchurch, New Zealand. It sits halfway up Kaituna Valley, and is the only remaining forest on the valley floor.

## Geography

Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve is 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) up the Kaituna Valley, which is on the south-western edge of Banks Peninsula about 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of Christchurch. The central feature of the valley is the Kaituna River, which flows from the slopes of Mount Herbert through the western edge of the reserve and out to Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora. The reserve is 6 hectares (15 acres) in size, adjoining the main valley road, with a 1 kilometre (0.62 mi), 10-minute loop track which starts and ends in a picnic area.

## History

The Kaituna River and valley was a traditional food-gathering place for Māori, and the river's name translates as "a place to eat eels". After European settlement, the Rhodes brothers (William, George, and Robert) acquired from 1851 to 1862 blocks of land between Lake Ellesmere, Mount Herbert, and Lake Forsyth totalling 25,000 acres (10,000 ha), known as the Kaituna Run. They ran cattle and 25,000 sheep, and the valley contained a flax mill and timber mill. The Rhodes brothers had appointed Thomas Parkinson as their run manager, and when they dissolved their partnership in 1875 he purchased the 12,000 acres (4,900 ha) homestead block in Kaituna Valley.
Although the Peninsula was ravaged by fire in 1862, 1863, and 1880, the extensive harakeke swamps in the valley likely protected this bush block from harm. After Parkinson's death in 1883 the farm was further subdivided, the homestead farm going to his son Walter. Although a sawmill was moved from Little River to Kaituna in 1900 and cut much mataī and tōtara in the upper valley, the Parkinson family saved the bush block from being milled and took only a few tōtara trees, probably for fence posts.
In 1956 the Department of Lands and Survey purchased the bush remnant off the third generation of Parkinsons, fenced it, and designated it Scenic Reserve 4881. On 8 March 1957 the Canterbury branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society was appointed to manage it, and quickly created a "Scenic Reserves Fund" to maintain it.

## Ecology
### Flora

The Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve is a typical remnant of lowland Banks Peninsula bush. The Kaituna Stream level varies significantly, occasionally flooding the reserve but to dropping to very low levels in summer, and drought has slowed regeneration in parts of the forest. The canopy includes large kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides), good-sized mataī (Prumnopitys taxifolia), tōtara (Podocarpus totara), cabbage trees (Cordyline australis), kānuka (Kunzea ericoides), māhoe (Melicytus ramiflorus), lowland ribbonwoods (Plagianthus regius) and especially tītoki (Alectryon excelsus). The abundance of even-aged tītoki in the reserve is its most notable feature, and these make up one of the largest stands of the species surviving in Canterbury. Kawakawa (Piper excelsum), New Zealand passion vine (Passiflora tetrandra) and both species of native jasmine (Parsonsia capsularis and P. heterophylla) are also present. The native stinging nettle ongaonga (Urtica ferox) is common along path edges.
* Ongaonga (Urtica ferox)
* Pellaea rotundifolia
* Passiflora tetrandra
* Asplenium gracillimum
* Kawakawa (Piper excelsum)
* Tītoki (Alectryon excelsus) forest

### Fauna

Native birds present in the reserve include fantails (Rhipidura fuliginosa), kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae), bellbirds (Anthornis melanura), grey warblers (Gerygone igata), and kingfishers (Todiramphus sanctus). In the 1960s Forest and Bird noted that fantails were likely the only breeding bird species, moreporks (Ninox novaeseelandiae) had not been reported for some years, and the reserve, like other areas on Banks Peninsula, had declining bird numbers. Magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) were thought to be a factor.

## Management

For much of its history, the reserve was unfenced, heavily grazed by stock, and a source of firewood for local settlers. The Parkinsons planted shelter belts of macrocarpa trees along the southern and western edges, and willows along the north edge, as well as one large walnut tree. The forest was also planted with European flowers such as violets, honesty, and periwinkle. Crack willows (Salix fragilis × S. euxina), elderberry (Sambucus nigra), and hemlock were encroaching and competing with native plants at the time the forest was purchased by the government.
When Forest and Bird took over management in 1957, they began removing exotic vegetation, and started planting native trees each Arbor Day. Flooding had destroyed some of the new boundary fence, which they repaired, and cut a loop track through the forest. The Wairewa County Council created vehicle access and a parking/picnic area. Floods regularly washed away topsoil and spread weed seeds, and in the early years planted trees had to compete against lush cocksfoot grass. After grazing animals has been fenced out for 10 years, natural regeneration of the forest was evident. Forest and Bird volunteers poisoned the willows along the northern bounday and planted 120 Pittosporum tenuifolium as a shelter belt instead.
As increasing numbers of the public began picnicking at the reserve, Forest and Bird erected notices prohibiting camping, fires, and collecting plants. Despite this, in 1959 one visitor was caught collecting ferns and taken to court, convicted and discharged (without a fine). The Society lamented the poor response to its appeals for volunteers, and noted the burden on the few members patrolling the reserve to prevent vandalism by picnickers. Today the reserve contains a picnic area, tables, and a toilet, but no potable water.
Possums were a significant problem, and Forest and Bird members controlled them initially until the Banks Peninsula Rabbit Board took responsibility. Pest control has been ongoing in the area, with multiple agencies including the Department of Conservation and community groups working to eliminate rats, feral cats, mustelids and possums. A working group of volunteers (14 in 2009) continues to control weeds and plant native trees in the reserve.