St Johns Bush

St Johns Bush
St Johns Bush in 2021
Map
TypePublic park
LocationAuckland, New Zealand
Coordinates36°52′19.01″S 174°50′28.42″E / 36.8719472°S 174.8412278°E / -36.8719472; 174.8412278
Area5 ha (12 acres)[1]
Operated byAuckland Council
StatusOpen year round

St Johns Bush is a reserve in central Auckland in New Zealand. It is situated in a small valley near the larger Kepa Bush Reserve. It is named after the nearby suburb St Johns.

Flora and fauna

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Gowing Drive entrance to St Johns Bush in 2021

Flora and fauna inside the reserve include a large kauri tree which is almost in the middle of the reserve, estimated to be around 150 years old.[1] Other trees include kānuka, karaka, kōwhai, pōhutukawa and rimu.

A small wetland system that runs through the reserve is home to longfin eel. Whitebait and freshwater bivalves are also present.[2]

The native birds of the reserve include tūī, New Zealand pigeons, grey warblers, silvereyes and New Zealand fantails. Introduced species including eastern rosella and Australian magpies are occasionally seen.[3]

Kākā sometimes stop off at St Johns Bush on their way to the Whangaparāoa Peninsula on the North Shore. Kaka feed off berries and fruit.

History

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St Johns Bush was set aside as a reserve by Bishop George Selwyn and his wife Sarah in the mid-19th Century.[1] In 1994 Auckland Council initiated a plan to rezone a considerable part of St Johns Bush. Forest & Bird became involved and this was ceased. In 2000 Auckland Council acquired St Johns Bush. In 2004 Auckland Council purchased another hectare of land.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Janssen, Peter (January 2021). Greater Auckland Walks. New Holland Publishers. p. 96. ISBN 978-1-86966-516-6. Wikidata Q118136068.
  2. ^ "Public ownership of St Johns Bush grows | Scoop News".
  3. ^ "St Johns Bush Path – bush walks in Auckland".