Programme Overview

Purchased in 2014, this 460ha Reserve is named in recognition of Sir Edmund Hillary, Patron of the Native Forest Restoration Trust from 1980 to 2008, inspiring our nation for more than half a century and honouring his love for the natural environment.

The Hope family that owned this and other properties in the area is also recognised in the Reserve name, having made a significant contribution to the conservation of native forest and fauna on this Reserve and in the Waikato region.

The reserve is part of the Hamilton “Halo Project” which aims to bring native birds such as tūī and korimako (bellbird) back into Hamilton City, this Reserve supports those and many other native bush birds. The “Halo” is a 20km radius ring drawn around Hamilton, taking in key sites where tūī breed. This is how far tūī will fly to feed.

Forming part of the upper catchment of the Mangakirikiri Stream, restoring forest cover to the steep, erosion prone land in this Reserve will prevent erosion and siltation affecting the water quality of Raglan Harbour. In turn this will improve habitat for our native eels, whitebait, other Galaxias species, and many other harbour dwelling fish.

Removal of stock and goats has helped eliminate forest understorey browse and trampling and increased seedling survival. Possum, rat and mustelid control has already reduced their adverse effect on birdlife, invertebrates and the quantity of seeds available for regeneration. Areas of retired farmland are being planted with the help of volunteers.