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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 12, Issue 9 (December 1, 1937.)

Nature of the Bush

Nature of the Bush.

With the exception of the Te Whaiti, Ruatahuna and Maungapohatu settlements and numerous small native clearings, comprising in all about 15,000 acres, the whole of the Urewera is covered with bush of a very mixed variety and with a very dense undergrowth. Despite exaggerated reports regarding the wealth of timber, however, the whole area north of the Waikaremoana road may definitely be rejected as a timber proposition. There are many isolated pockets scattered throughout the area and even along the main road between Te Whaiti and Ruatahuna, but inaccessability and other milling difficulties render them valueless for milling purposes.

In altitude below 2,000 ft., the forest consists chiefly of tawa, tawhero, rata, miro, rimu and mixed bush, but on the higher levels it is almost predominantly birch. The greatest and only extensive area of milling timber is in the Whirinaki Valley, extending about three miles north and 10 miles south of Te Whaiti, and practically 50 per cent. of the belt on the southern side of the road is totara. From Minginui this timber belt extends to the south-east, but here totara is scarce and the authorities consider that this timber should not be milled for at least 20 years.

For many years the theft of timber from Crown lands in the Urewera has been very extensive, and with improved access these depredations have increased. Fortunately there has been little evidence of wanton destruction, although, as in other districts, considerable areas have been felled which should have been left standing. Instead of holding grass, the felled land has only reverted to second growth and noxious weeds.

No decay beyond the natural process of elimination and regeneration was discovered by the Government Committee during its investigations, but it was noticed that in this replacement tawa was predominant, particularly on the poorly-timbered lower contours. Higher up, birch and tawhero were predominant.

(Forestry Dept. photo.). A view of the Tahora Block across the Waioeka River, Urewera Country, North Island, New Zealand.

(Forestry Dept. photo.).
A view of the Tahora Block across the Waioeka River, Urewera Country, North Island, New Zealand.