Why Rosedale Park is a natural choice for a restoration

Volunteer journalist Shaleen Singh-Ark talked to Te Hōnonga a Iwi project co-ordinator Nicky Shave about why Rosedale Park is the ideal location for an ecological restoration and regeneration.

Rosedale Park, located in the North Shore region of Tāmaki Makaurau is a prime environmental restoration site for many reasons, including support from local iwi, its proximity to a large business district, and the need to sustain both people and wildlife migrating into the area.

 Te Hōnonga a Iwi project co-ordinator Nicky Shave says the inspiration for the restoration project, initially led by North Harbour Hockey, was a request from local iwi for there to be better care of the Alexander awa and the riparian whenua that can be found from Unsworth Heights to join O te Hā awa on route to the moana at Lucas Creek. Enhancing environmental health and biodiversity in the area was seen by iwi as a way to strengthen the wellbeing of our local people.

The location of the park, on the border of one of the biggest business development districts in New Zealand, also makes it ideal for a small business-led restoration that can unite with NGOs, and the education, sport and public sectors to promote positive climate action. These groups can work together to mitigate climate change, increase local adaptation to climate change, increase biodiversity and individual and community health outcomes to promote local resilience.

 “For example, Hilton Brown Swimming has been one of many founding businesses in the restoration. They currently offer access to the restoration site and have supported the composting of 22 tonnes of biomass waste on their land so that we can reduce transport emissions and turn waste into something that will increase local soil health.”

A primary focus of restoration is to ensure that flora and fauna of that area can continue to thrive for generations to come. As Rosedale Park is the approximate halfway point between Tiritiri Matangi and the Waitākere Ranges, it is important to allow sufficient resting points for local birds to travel and breed safely without the risk of pest interventions. Nicky says restoration sites like Te Hōnonga a Iwi act as ‘hotels’ for the birds as well as offering permanent residence.

 “At the moment, our green corridor is akin to a half-star rated hotel. Everyone working at Te Hōnonga a Iwi hopes to offer 5-star accommodation to our wildlife, so that they can safely travel through the urban environment in a habitat that has considered their needs, and offers safety from animal pests and the impacts of urban life.”

To achieve a 5-star status, major changes had to be made. Dan Marrow, Auckland Council Park Ranger, asked Te Hōnonga a Iwi to regenerate an unused, weed-infested land mass of 10,000 square metres that bordered an industrial estate. The area had been untouched for 70 years.

The early stages of regeneration consisted of removing an array of plants and discarded items from gorse, blackberry, aleagnus, and jasmine, to couches, computers, 20 tyres and glass bottles. The area contained only three native plants when the restoration began.

 Another reason the site is well-placed for a restoration is that it is estimated that 7,000 people will be moving into the neighbouring O Te Hā or Albany district in the next 15 years. 

As housing intensifies, park spaces will become more important to promote wellbeing, social connections and safe places to exercise in. Therefore, restoring the site is beneficial not only for the birds, but for us too!