Mangemangeroa Reserve

Nestled in the Mangemangeroa Valley, the reserve is an area of significant environmental and cultural value. It is home to various archeological sites that catalogue the history of the pre-European era. Evidence of early settlements by Ngatai and Ngataipaoa tribes, like the Hangi stones, several Paa (fortified villages) and Kumara (sweet potatoes) storage pits remain well preserved to this day.
Sandwiched in between a growing suburb, a lush pasture land and sparkling blue waters of the estuary, the reserve offers spectacular scenic views of the coastal waters and the native bush. The Mangemangeroa reserve is also home to a native species of flora and fauna. Apart from being a feeding ground for bird species like Tui, Wood Pigeon, Grey Warbler and Fantail, the reserve also forms a purifying interface; clearing the water of pollutants as it travels to the estuary.
The reserve has some splendid remnants of Podocarp and coastal broadleaf forest not found elsewhere in Auckland region. The progression from salt water through fresh water vegetation to coastal forests is another feature unique to the reserve.
Although it is a narrow coastal strip of forest, the diversity of flora ranges from species such as Plagianthus divaricatus, Samolus repens Selliera radicans and Oioi (Apodasmia similis) of Saltmarsh in the north end, to cliff and gully species, with a small number of freshwater wetland species like Baumea rubiginos in the south end.

To find further information on the reserve, click on Reserve website