Unique New Zealand wildlife - Taranaki

ominating the north of the King Country is Mt Pirongia and this is worth exploring. From Otorohanga take State Highway 31 towards Kawhia, and the turn-off to Pirongia is about 15 kilometres further on. At the park headquarters in Pirongia information on the park can be obtained. possum.jpg (12001 bytes)

Pirongia Forest Park is centred around the mountain of the same name, an abbreviation of Pirongia-te-Aroaro o Kahu (the fragrant presence of Kahu), not kahu the hawk, but Kahupeka the wife of Ue, a tohunga of the Tainui. Superb views can be had from the crest of the mountain on clear days.

The park covers approximately 17,000 hectares and most of the forest is in prime condition, albeit a little chewed by deer and possums. Some years ago what is believed to be the largest kahikatea, and perhaps the tallest native tree in the country, was found growing on the bank of the Kaniwhaniwha Stream which flows through the park. It is 66.5 metres tall and a path has been cut to its base allowing visitors easier access.

The park also supports a good selection of native birds among which you might, if lucky, still find the falcon. Tits and robins are also found here but are fairly localised in their distribution. To find out what smaller native birds are present in areas of bush such as this, carry a cork and a small piece of glass. Squeaking the cork across the moistened glass often brings inquisitive birds. This is unnecessary, of course, if you are one of those talented folk able to mimic bird calls

Superb views can be obtained from the crest of the mountain on clear days and one of the best descriptions of this was given by J. Kerry-Nicholls who wrote in his book 7he King Country published in 1884:

When we reached the summit of the mountain, we emerged from the thick forest on to an open spot which commanded a delightful prospect. Turning towards the west, we stood on the brink of a precipice which fell in a clear descent of 1000 feet into the ravine below; here and there a jutting mass of rock stood out in rugged grandeur from the adamantine wall of stone, but otherwise a thick growth of maned scrub covered the sides and bottom of this enormous fissure, and so dense and entangled was the vegetation as we looked down upon it, that it appeared quite possible to walk upon the tops of the trees without falling to the ground. . . Here and there upon the cultivated flats the white houses of the settlers, embowered amidst the orchards and gardens, dotted the landscape, while Alexandra, Kihikihi, Hamilton, and Cambridge, and numerous other settlements served to mark the spots where future cities may ere long grow into existence, and add wealth and prosperity to this fertile land.