This 6,294 hectare forest abutting the southern boundary of the Maungataniwha Native Forest was purchased by our Chairman Simon Hall in 2006.

​

4,015 hectares were planted with Pinus radiata trees. These have all now been harvested and we are in the process of restoring this land to its native state.

​

The rest of the property was never put under pine due to difficult topography. It remains covered by native bush. It’s centred on an extensive area of papa-bluffs, extending over several kilometres parallel with the Te Hoe River, referred to locally as ‘The Hidden Valley’.

​

This untouched area of native bush has been given added significance by the discovery here of all three species of beech-hosted mistletoe. Combined with a profusion of mistletoe in the nearby Hampton’s Forest, the existence of these plants here gives weight to the idea that this area is a significant refuge for mistletoe in the northern Hawke’s Bay region.

​

The Maungataniwha Pine Forest has not been surveyed for rare native species and an unknown species of land snail is rumoured to exist here. North Island Brown Kiwi have been recorded, along with whio, kaka, kereru and kakariki. Other more common species of forest birds are also known to be present, as are native bats, and it’s the site of our bird translocation programme.