Flora & Fauna
Discover the wildlife and vegetation of Hereweka.
Flora
Indigenous forest or shrubland currently covers between 5–10% of the Otago Peninsula. The Hereweka Harbour Cone property retains just over 14%, above the Peninsula average, in five patches assessed as having significant conservation value.
Moist Forest
Moist forest occurs on the north-eastern faces of Peggys Hill and in the upper Stewarts Creek catchment, where fog and drizzle from prevailing weather systems create relatively humid conditions. The forest canopy is characterised by fuchsia/kōtukutuku (Fuchsia excorticata) and māhoe (Melicytus ramiflorus), with Coprosma rotundifolia and soft tree fern (Cyathea smithii) in the understorey.
These principal areas of moist forest were fenced in 2009 and 2010 respectively to exclude stock. Since then, there has been rapid natural regeneration below the intact forest canopy. Pasture within the fenced area has been partially planted with native trees and shrubs, which has increased species diversity and connected the two areas of forest.
Peggys Hill and upper Stewarts Creek are among the most significant sites on the entire Otago Peninsula for indigenous ferns requiring damp habitat conditions. Moisture-dependent fern species include crown fern (Blechnum discolor), waterfall fern (Blechnum colensoi), leather leaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis), filmy ferns (Hymenophyllum spp.), and the rare Trichomanes venosum.
The podocarp miro (Prumnopitys ferruginea) is present in the forest on Peggys Hill, one of the few locations on the Peninsula.
Dry Forest
Dry forest, more typical of the Peninsula generally, occurs on steep mid-slopes and rocky areas. It is characterised by narrow-leaved lacebark (Hoheria angustifolia) and/or kōwhai (Sophora microphylla) in the canopy, Coprosma crassifolia in the understorey, and dry-forest ferns including Asplenium hookerianum and A. flabellifolium at ground level.
A significant area of dry forest, known as Rutherfords Bush, was fenced from stock in 2022. This valuable forest remnant supports a diverse range of native species, including 29 trees and shrubs, 11 climbers, and 20 ferns, with a rich shrubland community along the forest margin.
Shrubland and Regenerating Vegetation
Kānuka (Kunzea robusta) is the primary pioneering species in the property's recovery, naturally regenerating on rough grassland on the eastern and northern slopes of Harbour Cone and in the Bacon Street zone. Mingimingi (Coprosma propinqua) is present on dry forest margins in Stewarts Creek. These browse-resistant species provide early canopy cover that shelters subsequent native regeneration, the first step in a gradual return to native forest.
An extensive area of kānuka forest on the eastern slope of Harbour Cone is open to farm stock and declining in condition as a result. There is considerable scope for restoration of indigenous vegetation by excluding stock from this area. The Trust is working towards fencing this area to allow native seedlings to establish. This will be followed through with surveillance and control of pest plant species.
Rare and Threatened Species
| Species | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Miro (Prumnopitys ferruginea) | Locally Important | Located on Peggys Hill |
| Hall's tōtara | Locally Important | Sub-fossil trunks on Peggys Hill summit |
| Narrow-leaved lacebark (Hoheria angustifolia) | Locally Important | |
| Kōwhai (Sophora microphylla) | Locally Important | |
| Lowland ribbonwood (Plagianthus regius) | Locally Important | Targeted for riparian restoration |
| Mistletoe (Ileostylis micranthus) | Locally Important | Native parasitic plant |
| Brachyglottis sciadophila | At Risk – Declining (national) | Climbing groundsel plant |
| Melicype simplex | Locally Important | |
| Streblus heterophyllus | Locally Important | |
| Olearia fimbriata | Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable | Historical record at site. 19 individuals planted in 2026 on the Western margin of Rutherfords Bush |
Restoration Targets
Low-elevation alluvial forests have been cleared from the property and are a priority for restoration. Target species include kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides), mataī (Prumnopitys taxifolia), tōtara (Podocarpus totara), lowland ribbonwood, kōwhai, and narrow-leaved lacebark.
Podocarps have been a priority for planting in the Stewarts Creek catchment as there are no mature trees present to act as a seed source. Since 2022, kahikatea, miro, tōtara, and rimu have established well, with mataī making slower growth.
Two different Blechnum ferns among leaf litter on the forest floor
Native plants establish wherever stock have been excluded. Here a Lancewood (Pseudopanax crassifolius) establishes under mature pine trees
Fauna
Birds
New Zealand's native birdlife evolved in the absence of land mammals, and Hereweka is one of the places on the Peninsula where you can genuinely hear that history returning.
South Island Rifleman / Tītipounamu (Acanthisitta chloris) — New Zealand's smallest endemic bird (8 to 9 cm; approximately 6 g). It is known to be present in the forest adjacent to Hereweka. As forest cover increases, rifleman are expected to become more established. Predator-proof nesting boxes have contributed to their recovery.
Bellbird / Korimako (Anthornis melanura) — Bellbirds are present on the property. Korimako play a key ecological role as pollinators and seed dispersers. Their recovery within Hereweka is linked to habitat restoration and predator control.
Tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) — Tūī were previously rare visitors but are now increasingly regular on the property in response to habitat restoration and possum eradication. Tūī are key seed dispersers for our native trees.
Fantail / Pīwakawaka (Rhipidura fuliginosa) — Fantails are common in the regenerating and mature bush areas of the property.
New Zealand Wood Pigeon / Kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) — Kererū are present on the property. The kererū is one of the few birds capable of swallowing and transporting large native fruits, making it an important seed disperser for species like tōtara and miro. It holds significance in Māori culture as a symbol of peace, fertility, and guardianship of the forest.
Silvereye / Tauhou (Zosterops lateralis) — Common throughout the bush areas of the property.
Fernbird / Mātātā (Poodytes punctatus) — Fernbirds have been increasingly sighted in the Future Forest. Listed as At Risk – Declining, fernbirds are making use of the new habitat being created for them on the property.
Freshwater Fauna
Smiths Creek is known to support five species of indigenous freshwater fish. Species that have been sighted and DNA identified include giant kōkopu (Galaxias argenteus) and long-finned eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii).
Kōura / New Zealand freshwater crayfish (Paranephrops zelandicus), classified as Chronically Threatened – Gradual Decline, are also present in both Smiths and Stewarts Creeks, indicating reasonably good current habitat quality.
Buff Weka
Buff weka (Gallirallus australis hectori) were historically indigenous to the eastern South Island and Southland but became locally extinct. The name Hereweka directly references this species. Buff weka are a taoka species to Kāi Tahu, and Ōtākou Rūnaka support reintroduction to the property. Reintroductions have been successfully carried out on islands in Lakes Wakatipu and Wanaka and on neighbouring Stevenson's Peninsula. Any translocation to Hereweka would be led by iwi.
Introduced Predators
Introduced predatory mammals in the area include rats, mice, stoats, ferrets, possums, and feral cats. Possums are no longer present on the property. Control of predators is managed in collaboration with the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group.