Forest Flora

Thousands of native trees have been planted from locally propagated stock.

Early herbarium records and a comparison of plant species recorded at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary with records from other sites on the Wellington peninsula with similar soil types have helped us to determine what native plants are missing and should be reintroduced.

Planting is done with locally sourced seeds from the Wellington Ecological District, or further afield if necessary.

The state of the forest

The emergent layer is dominated by rewarewa on the western slopes, and exotic pines on the eastern side. A small plantation of 80 totara remains on the eastern slopes.

Priority has been given to the propagation and planting of podocarps (kahikatea, miro, matai, totara and rimu) and pukatea to re-establish these species in the Sanctuary. Emphasis will also be given to propagation of the regionally rare Northern rata because it should thrive in the possum-free habitat. It will be many years before there will be a noticeable change in the emergent tree species present and that is one reason why we have a 500-year vision.

Totara Forest in the Sanctuary

Work has begun on the progressive removal of the exotic pines. Apart from some missing species, the canopy layer in the Sanctuary is regenerating well. Restoration activity will focus on rare or missing species such as black maire and white maire.

Of approximately 65 species of sub-canopy trees and shrubs that should be present, 30% are rare or missing. Many species in this category are characteristic of early and mid-successional stages (e.g., kanuka) and should be present now, particularly as areas of exotic forest are cleared, but they will become rare again in future as the forest matures. Regionally rare species such as whau, large-leaved milk tree and small-leaved milk tree should thrive in the pest-free Sanctuary once introduced.

With the absence of pest browsing and weed competition, it is assumed that most species of epiphytes, and lianes present in the Sanctuary will thrive and not require active management. However missing or rare species such as perching kohuhu, Kirk's tree daisy and several mistletoes will be propagated and reintroduced to the Valley.

There are some significant climbing pest plants in the valley that are a priority for ongoing management to eradicate them. These include Old Man's Beard, Cathedral Bells, banana passionfruit and climbing asparagus.

Ferns and their allies are already a significant feature of the valley and new species have been located as the habitat recovers. A survey will be undertaken to identify missing species so that they can be propagated and reintroduced. The exotic spike-moss selaginella has been found and will need considerable effort to remove it.

Very few of the small herbaceous plants and orchids identified as appropriate have been recorded in the valley. However, systematic surveys will be undertaken before any substantial effort is made to propagate and plant them.

Reintroduction of missing species will focus on those that are keystone species for invertebrates such as the threatened speargrass weevil that lives on the native speargrass. There are a number of exotic herbs such as Mexican daisy and wandering willie that require ongoing control to eventually eradicate them.

There have been no surveys done of mosses and fungi in the valley and this will need to be done before priorities for restoration can be determined.