Hinawai and Hugh Wilson – National Treasures

Today we are at Hinewai Reserve near Akaroa.  Managed by renown botanist, Hugh Wilson, this 3,000 acre reserve is a wonderful example of nature regenerating itself.  What was once gorse-infested farmland is now beach forest after just 20 or so years.  Much to the dismay of early critics, Hugh’s successful philosophy is that the gorse makes a good planting bed for natives and protects them from wind and predators with its spiny bark.  The natives grow up through the gorse and then shade it out and kill it.

Hugh draws and writes everything by hand.  Here is an overview of the reserve neatly drawn out by him.

What was an old wood shed on the property is now a Visitor's Center/Lodge where we will stay the night.

A ground weta welcomed Mimi to the Lodge : )

The view from the top of our hike down to Long Bay beach.  Note the yellow-flowering gorse in the photo, and the green beech forest on the hillside on the right (where the hike went through down to the beach).  Contrast with the patch of mowed-by-sheep farmland down by the beach.

With the big 600 year old Totara

Some of Hugh's illustrations of birds in Hinewai

Hugh, getting ready to go to work at the top of the hill where he is helping to manage additional property adding to the Hinewai Reserve area through another trust.  Hugh HATES cars and says the secret to staying young and healthy is to have nothing to do with them.  After I took this picture, he added five large wood stakes to the back of his bike before heading off up the hill.

We hiked from the top of Hinewai where we will stay tonight at the Visitor’s Center/Lodge (very rustic old wood shed, but comfy) down to Long Bay beach. Along the way we saw many native plants and birds.  At the bottom we got to see rare, native kakariki parrots that Hugh’s helper, Paul, has a special license to keep as pets, and hunted for Paua shell at Long Bay beach.  We also got to see a lot of sheep up close and personal as the farmer that lives at the edge of the beach just outside of the reserve was running sheep into another paddock where we were hiking - very exciting. 

Hard to imagine this hillside of natives bare farmland just 20 years ago

Native Kakariki

LOTS of sheep

Grace outstanding in a field with the sheep

Long Bay beach on a cool grey winter day

Amber found not only paua but also a sponge

Hanging out at Long Bay beach

In the late afternoon and back up at the Lodge, we played games, Hugh told us the history of Hinewai, and we enjoyed a yummy meal together.

Hugh tells us the story of Hinewai

Thank you Hugh!  We love Hinewai and you!

The gang and Mark will spend the night at the Visitor Center/Lodge at Hinewai.  They have 11 bunks there and a log burner to keep them (mostly) warm.  Stay Warm And Sweet Dreams Everyone, Meryl : )