Return of Birdlife
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.
Project Ruru takes flight again. Last year, fifteen artists made sculptures of our native owl in a variety of media. These have been installed throughout the park and are shifted every 3 months. ‘Find the Roosting Rurus’ has become part of another adventure within the Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum.
The project launches on 6 th July with related arts and environmental activities planned to follow through all of the July school holidays.
