Bream Head Scenic Reserve Our place, our vision, our action.

What is the Bream Head Scenic Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action. The Bream Head Scenic Reserve is an outstanding ecosystem supporting a high diversity of native species. It is rated as a nationally significant site by the Department of Conservation. To find out more, go to:

What is the Bream Head Scenic Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action. The Reserve is surrounded on three sides by the sea. Coastal cliffs dominate the landscape on these sides, but each also has small sandy beaches. Most of the Reserve has forest or shrub cover, with cleared pasture in the Urquhart’s Bay to Smuggler’s Beach area. What are the names of the beaches, bays and hills of the Reserve? Aerial view Bream Head Scenic Reserve

Where is the Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action. The Bream Head Scenic Reserve is situated at the entrance to Whangarei Harbour at Whangarei Heads, about 30 kilometres southeast of Whangarei City. There are also many offshore islands close to Bream Head. What are their names and why are they significant to the Reserve? The Bream Head Scenic Reserve

Why is the Reserve important? Our place, our vision, our action. The Reserve contains:  unique archaeological, historical and landscape features  the largest remaining intact stand of coastal broadleaf and pohutukawa forest in Northland  many opportunities for walking, picnicking, swimming, exploring and enjoying the scenery What do you enjoy doing and seeing at Bream Head? Bream Head – a place of stunning landscapes

Why is the Reserve important? Our place, our vision, our action. Whangarei Heads has a nearby marine reserve – Reotahi's Motukaroro Island marine reserve, which is part of the Whangarei Harbour marine reserve. This Kamo High School initiative was officially approved in 2005 and boasts 26.2 ha of abundant and diverse marine life. Its rocky seabed and kelp beds provide a haven and feeding ground for many fish species, making for a spectacular underwater experience. Snorkelling day at the marine reserve. Find out how you can experience this marine reserve at

What was the Reserve like in the past? Before the arrival of humans, the Bream Head forest was healthy. At nightfall came the cry of kaka, then morepork, kiwi and seabirds returning to nest, with tuatara hunting silently for giant weta. Dawn was broken by the chorus of bellbirds, kokako and saddlebacks, and the chatter of kakariki overhead, while the song of whiteheads and robins rang through the valleys. Our place, our vision, our action. How many of these creatures can still be heard on the Reserve? Morepork, Bream Head Scenic Reserve.

What went wrong? Since human habitation, there has been significant decline in the Reserve's conservation values. Introduced predators, insects and plants, along with the clearing of land for farms, depleted the Bream Head forest of its native plants and animals. Unless the forest is restored, these creatures may well be lost to us for ever. Our place, our vision, our action. How does restoring the forest help to bring back native species? Giant kauri like this one were once more plentiful at the Bream Head Scenic Reserve.

What is being done to restore the Reserve? In 2002, a group of locals got together to form the Bream Head Conservation Trust - a partnership between the community, the Department of Conservation, the Whangarei District Council and Iwi. Our place, our vision, our action. Why would a partnership between these groups be needed to restore the Reserve successfully ? Bream Head Conservation Trust information day.

What does the Trust aim to do? Our place, our vision, our action. Build on the Department of Conservation's management of the Reserve to:  restore the Reserve's ecology  preserve its historical and archaeological features  enhance it's recreational and educational potential For more information on the Bream Head Conservation Trust, or to become a member, go to

What is the Trust's vision? Our place, our vision, our action. To restore the Reserve as close as possible to its original state to help return the dawn chorus of bird song. The Dawn Chorus activity in the Activities section of this Resource helps you understand and recreate what this would sound like.

How is the Trust realising this vision? Our place, our vision, our action. Birds return to live naturally where they are safe and where the trees and plants they need for feeding, breeding and shelter are healthy and plentiful. To help restore such a forest on the Reserve, predators and competitors must be removed. The partnership has put in place robust pest control and planting programmes to achieve this. Birds like tui at Bream Head need a healthy forest in which to live successfully. Which native birds feed on which trees on the Reserve?

How is the Trust realising this vision? Our place, our vision, our action. By:  developing a healthy forest ecosystem  being part of the recovery of threatened and rare species  working towards reintroducing flora and fauna formerly present  carrying out pest control programmes  getting local communities involved in restoration programmes  providing education resources for local communities  looking after walking tracks How does the Trust carry out and fund all these activities? Bream Head Conservation Trust planting day.

Which native birds will be returned to the Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action. All native birds that lived there before the arrival of predators. Some bird species still inhabit the Reserve. Others are regular or occasional visitors, and some need to be translocated to become established. Which of these birds already live on the Reserve, which are visitors and which need to be reintroduced by humans? What others could be considered for re- introduction? kiwi kakariki kukupa saddleback kaka bellbird

Which sea birds live on the Reserve's coastline? Our place, our vision, our action. The headlands, islands and beaches surrounding the Bream Head Scenic Reserve provide important nesting, resting and feeding areas for these and other sea birds. What makes the Reserve's coastline such a good place for sea birds to feed or breed? White-fronted tern Shag Black-backed gull Reef heron Little blue penguin Red-billed gull Variable oystercatcher Northern New Zealand dotterel

What other creatures live on the Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action.  lizards and skinks  invertebrates (insects) Auckland green gecko Flax snail How many species from either of these groups can be found at the Bream Head Scenic Reserve?

What introduced creatures live on the Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action. Predator pests!  rats and mice  possums  mustelids (stoats, weasels, ferrets  dogs who visit from nearby properties  cats  ants Argentine ant Possum (left) and rat (right) eat chicks from nests. Wild cat Kiwi killed by a dog Stoat Describe the impact of these pests on the Reserve?

What trees are important on the Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action. Bream Head Scenic Reserve contains the largest coastal broadleaf forest in Northland. It includes such trees as:  pohutukawa  puriri How does each tree contribute to the the Bream Head Scenic Reserve ecosystem? Pohutukawa  taraire  tawapou  nikau  karaka  kowhai

What other native plants make up the Reserve's ecosystem? Our place, our vision, our action. flax ferns dune plants ground covers Are there others? How does each plant contribute? What rare or endangered plants are present on the Bream Head Scenic Reserve? Flax Ponga - New Zealand tree fern PingaoNative clematis

What plant pests are present on the Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action. Plant pests such as wild ginger and pine trees have been eliminated from the Reserve. However the following remain and are being treated:  moth plant  pampas grass  Jerusalem cherry  wattle How do these plant pests impact on the Reserve's native plants and wildlife? Wattle Pampas grass Jerusalem cherry Moth plant

What else threatens the Reserve’s ecology? Our place, our vision, our action. Fire from:  cigarette butts  cooking fires  backyard burnoffs How do fires impact on the Reserve? The fire that caused this damage was lit by fishermen cooking up their catch.

What else threatens the Reserve’s ecology? Our place, our vision, our action. Pollution and waste:  litter  air pollution  oils and dispersants  urban runoff  anti-fouling paints from the ship industry  oil and bilge spills at boat ramps or refuelling depots  harbour sewage leaks, sewer floods or faulty sewerage systems Find out what the New Zealand Refinery is doing to prevent pollution impact on the Reserve at Beach clean up – Home Point

Who lived on the Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action. Middens, pa sites and terraces show Maori occupied Te Whara (Bream Head) up to 500 years ago, and used the forest and coast as a food basket. Te Whara (Bream Head) and nearby Mt Manaia hold special significance to Maori, and all archaeological sites are protected under the Historic Places Act Maori shell midden at Smugglers Cove What Maori myths and legends surround the Bream Head Scenic Reserve area?

Who lived on the Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action. Who were these early settlers? How did they use the Reserve area? The Waipu Museum is a good place to get this information. The Gazelle brought the first European settlers to the Bream Head area. Photo: Waipu Museum The first European settlers came from Scotland, via Nova Scotia and Australia around The "Gazelle" was the first ship to bring settlers to Waipu and a few made the journey across the harbour to the Heads. Their descendants still live at Bream Head, and many local settlements are named after them.

Who lived on the Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action. By the start of World War II, the western end of the current Bream Head Scenic Reserve, from Home Point to Smugglers Beach, had long been cleared for pastoral farming. During the war, a naval radar station was built above Ocean Beach, as well as a gun emplacement at Home Point, as defence against possible invasion. Remains of the Home Point gun emplacement, observation post and engine room. Go to the 'Bream Head Timeline' in the Activities section for more information on Bream Head history.

Who lives on the Reserve now? Our place, our vision, our action. Today, many permanent and holiday homes, farms and lifestyle blocks can be found close to the Bream Head Scenic Reserve. It is also a popular place for tourists and locals to visit. How are Bream Head locals involved in helping to restore the Bream Head Scenic Reserve? Many current Whangarei Heads residents are actively involved in helping restore the Reserve.

What are the geological features of the Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action. Bream Head is made up of a mix of volcanic and sedimentary rocks. This includes volcanic cones, lava plugs, tuffs and dykes. The Reserve is dominated by the steep andesite outcrops of Bream Head (Te Whara) and Mt Lion (Matariki), with the western headland featuring the andesite peaks of Mt Urquhart and Home Point. Go to 'Bream Head Geology' in the Activities section for more information. Bream Head (Te Whara)

How can you help restore the Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action. Become a friend of the Bream Head Conservation Trust. Go to for details. Bream Head Conservation Trust planting days. Which Bream Head Conservation Trust activities can you support, and how?

How can you help restore the Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action.  light no fires in or near the Reserve  dispose of cigarettes responsibly  take your rubbish home with you  observe the marine reserve regulations  avoid disturbing animal and plant life  keep dogs and cats at home  help with projects (e.g. planting days)  keep to the tracks How can you deliver these messages to your community? Keep dogs and cats at home.

How can you help restore the Reserve? Our place, our vision, our action. Enjoy your time there, and help others to do the same. Spread the message!

Bream Head Scenic Reserve Our place, our vision, our action.