Wildlife

Rurururu

The park adopted the RURU (our native owl /morepork) as its emblem because the Waitakaruru Stream flows through the park. Waitakaruru means owl by the water in Maori.  Several rescued ruru have been released here in the park to add to the genetic diversity of our population.

The growth of nectar- and fruit-bearing trees encouraged the return of tui, bellbirds, and shining cuckoo. We also have our native wood pigeons (keruru) and herons nesting here in the park.

The abundant insect life around the ponds and lushly planted Park provides for native long-tail bats (pekapeka),kingfisher (kotare), ruru, geckos, and frogs.

The control of possums and other animal pests continues to be an essential requirement to maintain the habitat for native wildlife as well as common introduced species.