| Group | Leader(s) | Tailender |
| All | Ray, Jan Bbr, Nola, Dave B | Janice |
Stats: distance: about 14.5km
With persistent heavy rain forecast for the 13 Mile Bush area, the planned destination for today’s tramp, Plan B was put into operation: Roto Kohatu Reserve to Willowbank. Thirty-one members including visitor Steve G joined driver Alan at Bishopdale for a brief ride by coach to the western extremity of Sawyers Arms Rd and the entrance to Roto Kohatu Reserve. A meaning of the Māori word ‘roto’ as a noun is ‘lake’ and meanings of ‘kohatu’ include ‘stone’ and ‘rock’, which presumably refers to the origin of the lakes in the reserve as gravel pits.
By 8.45 am, we were off the coach and, with packs on our backs and a grey sky above, we set off into the reserve and followed the path round the west side of the lake complex (Lake Rua, Lake Tahi and the canoe polo area). After a couple of back-tracks, we proceeded round the Isaac Farm Loop and, at 9.45 am, had morning tea at a nice spot on the bank of a clear stream – the early arrivals were able to make use of a memorial, outdoor wooden table and the rest either stood around or found a suitable perch of some kind.
As we got ready to leave this spot, there was some fine drizzle so many raincoats were put on, but they were soon discarded because the shower quickly petered out. As we were walking along the track, two gentlemen and a little dog came walking towards us. As they got closer, we could see that they were the well-known Nick Atkins and Stan Darling – some brief verbal exchanges followed. We then followed the Otukaikino Track through the Clearwater complex to The Groynes. By now the weather had really changed and there were even glimpses of blue sky! (However, they were not to last!). A bit after The Groynes we stopped for lunch at 11.50 am and those who had taken their raincoats off had to put them on again as we experienced a bit more than some drizzle. After a walk alongside the motorway by-pass, we were back in civilisation where our leaders pointed out the Kaputone Stream. During all of the walk there was a lot of evidence of planting of native vegetation – one notice claimed that it was to help improve the quality of the streams though all the ones we saw seemed very clean and clear except, perhaps, for the amount of floating vegetation in many areas. We did not see much wildlife except for some pukeko and a harrier but that situation should improve for our great-grandchildren given the native planting that is being done.
The walk continued through a number of the streets of the Northwood suburb where many gardens received favourable comment. Eventually, we made it to Hussey Rd and walked along it to just after Willowbank Wildlife Reserve by 1.05 pm to find Alan there waiting for us.
Those who were new to the Roto Kohatu Reserve area and for any others interested, particularly in freshwater sports, the City Council is currently open for submissions on how the area should be developed and upgraded. The closing date is 28 March – see the city council web site for further information (Roto-Kohatu-Reserve-Development-Plan-DRAFT-2021-11-22.PDF (ccc.govt.nz)).
Txt by Margaret & Eric
