Awhitu

On the south west shores of the Manukau Harbour, Awhitu Regional Park is a peaceful retreat. It has tranquil bays, rolling pastures and a rich history.

Transformed wetlands lie behind the park's two long, sandy beaches (Kauritutahi Beach and Brook Beach) and provide a wonderful habitat for the rare fernbird (matata) and banded rail (moho pereru).

Both the Awhitu Peninsula and the park take their names from the pre-European Maori settlement of Awhitu, which was located at the western end of Orua Bay to the north of the park. It was named because of the 'yearning' (awhitu) felt by Hoturoa, the commander of the Tainui canoe (waka), when he left the district.

The traditional name for the park's location was Kauritutahi, so named for the single kauri tree which stood on the small islet of the park.

History

The Ngāti Te Ata and Ngāti Kahukoka people originally occupied the Awhitu Peninsula. Their descendents still maintain strong links to this land, with marae located in and around Waiuku. The large waka Toki-a-Tapiri, which now rests at the Auckland Museum, came from this area.

Evidence from middens on the park indicates Māori used the local area extensively for fishing and resource gathering. English immigrants John and Sarah Brook built the Brook homestead, originally called Brook Haven, in 1878. It remains a central feature of the park. The family added the bach in front of the homestead in 1907. The old jetty, which remains at Kauritutahi Bay, was also built by the Brook family.

It was a lifeline to the outside world when this far-flung place had no roads. Basic supplies and visitors came in across these boards and kauri posts and farm products went out. In 1971, John Brook's grandson Fred sold his land to the ARC. Awhitu Regional Park was officially opened in 1975 and continues to operate as a working farm. 

Wildlife

Native forest birds include native pigeon, morepork, kingfisher, grey warbler, fantail, silvereye and tūi. Bird habitats at Awhitu are the wetland, salt-marsh, beach and intertidal areas. The wetlands harbour waterfowl such as paradise, mallard and grey ducks and grey teal, along with a small but significant population of North Island fernbird.

Native bush

Predominantly grazed and mown grassland with scattered plantings of pine and macrocarpa for farm shelter. Radiata pine, blue gum and Tasmanian blackwood have been planted as woodlots. There are also significant riparian and wetland plantings of native trees, some of which are 30 year old.

Around the coast there is a fringe of mature pōhutukawa forest. In places, mānuka scrub, ferns and other native coastal shrubs grown beneath the pōhutukawa, especially around the southern shores. Several small patches of mānuka scrub surround the upper reaches of the Brook wetland.