Battle Hill Farm Forest Park is a regional park near Paekākāriki, in the Kāpiti Coast District and Wellington Region of New Zealand's lower North Island.[1]
| Battle Hill Farm Forest Park | |
|---|---|
 Battle Hill Farm Forest Park, looking east | |
 | |
| Type | Regional park |
| Location | Paekākāriki, Kāpiti Coast District, Wellington Region, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 41°3′27″S 174°56′7″E / 41.05750°S 174.93528°E |
| Area | 500 ha (1,200 acres) |
| Operated by | Wellington Regional Council |
| Open | Daily from 8am to dusk |
The park is a dedicated farm park,[2] administered by Wellington Regional Council.[1] Transmission Gully runs through the park.[3][4][5]
Geography
editThe reserve covers a stream valley, between Paekākāriki Hill and Horokiri stream to the west, and hills to the east. It includes steep hill slopes of greywacke with limited vegetation.[6]
The vegetation in the valley includes pukatea (Laurelia novaezelandiae), along with some rewarewa (Knightia excelsa), tawa (Beilschmeidia tawa), and kahikatea (Dacrydium dacrydioides). The understory includes mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus), kaikomako (Pennantia corymbosa), nīkau (Rhopalostylis sapida), coprosma, and other small trees and shrubs.[6]
History
editBattle Hill Farm Forest Park was the site of Battle of Battle Hill in 1846. Relations between the Government and local Māori had been souring for many years, due to the New Zealand Company trying to buy large tracts of land for Pākehā settlers. It culminated with a clash between about 300 Ngāti Toa, under the leadership of Te Rangihaeata, and British troops.[7][8]
Te Rangihaeata was captured and relinquished the land in return for his release.[9] He spent the rest of his life in exile at Poroutawhao, north of Levin.[7]
In 1860 the bush was covered to the Abbott family, who cleared it and farmed it until 1975. Members of the family, and two of the three militiamen killed in the battle of 1846, are buried in a graveyard on the site.[7]
Wellington Regional Council purchased the land for a park in 1987.[7]
Access routes into the park were changed, during construction of Transmission Gully between 2016 and 2021.[4]
The council consulted on the future of the park in 2020.[10]
Later that year, the council announced plans to reduce stock grazing and increase native bush and wetlands in its regional parks. However, it excluded Battle Hill Farm Forest Park from the plan, opting to keep it as a dedicated farm park.[2]
Recreation
editThe park contains a working farm near the entrance at Paekākāriki Hill Road and extends over the surrounding hills and into a plantation forest that merges with the Akatarawa Forest. It contains several loop walkways, some suitable for mountain biking and horse riding.[1]
Parts of the park are closed during August for lambing season.[1]
The park is open to camping and campervans. However, there is no powered camping sites or dump stations.[11]
Wellington Riding for the Disabled, a community group providing horse therapy for people with disabilities, has been operating in the park since 2016.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Battle Hill Farm Forest Park". gwrc.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
- ^ a b Green, Kate (17 December 2020). "Stock grazing to be reduced, native bush and wetlands restored in Wellington region's parks". stuff.co.nz.
- ^ "Transmission Gully: Urban and landscape design framework" (PDF). nzta.govt.nz. Waka Kotahi.
- ^ a b Forbes, Michael (31 January 2016). "Nature walkers and cyclists becoming a safety hazard at Transmission Gully motorway site". stuff.co.nz.
- ^ George, Damian (5 August 2017). "Weather a challenge but Transmission Gully on track for 2020 completion". stuff.co.nz.
- ^ a b Enright, Pat (2 January 2006). "Plant checklist for Battle Hill Farm Forest Park and the Hill track, Porirua" (PDF). nzpcn.org.nz.
- ^ a b c d "Battle Hill Farm Forest Park History". gwrc.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
- ^ "Battle Hill". nzhistory.govt.nz. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
- ^ a b Paul, James (10 January 2018). "Holidaying is easier when the destination is just down the road". stuff.co.nz. Stuff Travel.
- ^ "Greater Wellington invites input". ausleisure.com. 21 August 2020.
- ^ "Camping at Battle Hill Farm Forest Park". gwrc.govt.nz. Wellington Regional Council.
- ^ Fallon, Virginia (11 April 2018). "A stable new neigh-bourhood for Wellington Riding for the Disabled". stuff.co.nz. Dominion Post.