Friday, May 31, 2019
Snow Tussock Grass
Chionochloa rigida grows along the ridge tops of Banks Peninsula, which were probably already deforested in the times of the Maoris. In any case, it is a distinctive and stable grassland community. Also very beautiful. The peaks of Banks are 6-700 meters above sea level.
NZ Red Beech
Hinewai Management Tasks (some of them)
Hinewai Reserve is 1,500 hectares as of February 2019 and managed by 3 people, with help from volunteers. There are many jobs just to maintain the path and borders:
boundary fencing and maintenance, path building and maintenance, signage, shelters, trapping of invasive animals, welcoming visiting scientists and hikers... and, oh yes, pulling bracken fern from taking over established pathways in sunny areas.
More Hinewai Management Tasks
The terrain is steep at Hinewai; paths often have steps or bridges.
These are made by hand from materials that are brought in on foot with backpack.
Part of the job is greeting and welcoming visitors and hikers.
These are made by hand from materials that are brought in on foot with backpack.
Part of the job is greeting and welcoming visitors and hikers.
Hugh Wilson; Feb 2019
Hugh Wilson is manager of Hinewai Reserve and the author of many books on plant life in New Zealand. He has recently been honored with a doctorate from Lincoln University and is featured in a new movie on Hinewai: "Fools and Dreamers, Regenerating a Native Forest." You can find clips on YouTube.
Hugh Wilson was born in Timaru in 1945 with twin sister Hilary. He moved to Christchurch with the family in 1950, went to school and University there. In 1963 he taught for a year in Sarawak with Volunteer Service Abroad.
He worked as a Botanist and Naturalist in Mount Cook National Park, Stewart Island and other wild places. Hugh has lived in Banks Peninsula for over 30 years and manages Hinewai Reserve to the east of Akaroa. He was a keen mountaineer in his younger days and still loves tramping and cycling. He has written and illustrated many books on natural history.
Of his art, he says: "I simply try to make each work both scientifically accurate and aesthetically pleasing, hoping to help the observer's appreciation of the limitless beauty and wonder of the natural world."
He worked as a Botanist and Naturalist in Mount Cook National Park, Stewart Island and other wild places. Hugh has lived in Banks Peninsula for over 30 years and manages Hinewai Reserve to the east of Akaroa. He was a keen mountaineer in his younger days and still loves tramping and cycling. He has written and illustrated many books on natural history.
Of his art, he says: "I simply try to make each work both scientifically accurate and aesthetically pleasing, hoping to help the observer's appreciation of the limitless beauty and wonder of the natural world."
Thursday, May 30, 2019
First Hike to Akaroa
Over Purple Peak Saddle and down Purple Peak Road to the town of Akaroa.
Most visitors, and there are many from cruise ships, eat fish and chips and buy tea towels.
Most visitors, and there are many from cruise ships, eat fish and chips and buy tea towels.
Second Trek to Akaroa
Brocheries Flat: Totaras above, Looking east back to Hinewai below.
Looking west to the town of Akaroa above, path through gorse in old pasture below.
Curry Track from Browntop Saddle to the town of Akaroa.
Boat to Start of Milford Track
Getting to the start of the Milford Track is not easy, bus from Queenstown, another bus, and finally a ferry ride to Glade Wharf, the start of the hike.
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