Maungaharuru Range facts for kids

The Maungaharuru Range is a mountain range in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. It's about 34 kilometers from the city of Napier. The name "Maungaharuru" comes from the Te Reo Māori. It means "the mountain that resounded." This name likely came from the many birds that used to sing there.

This mountain range is very important to the hapū (a Māori sub-tribe) called Ngati Kurumōkihi. They see Maungaharuru as their spiritual mountain. They are also the kaitiaki (guardians) of the Boundary Stream area. In 2017, the Crown (the New Zealand government) returned four conservation areas to the Ngati Kurumōkihi hapū. This was part of the Treaty of Waitangi settlements. The hapū then gave these reserves to all the people of New Zealand (Aotearoa). Three of these special areas are found within the Maungaharuru Range.

Protecting Nature in Maungaharuru

A big part of the Maungaharuru Range is called the Maungaharuru Ecological District. It includes a special conservation area known as the Boundary Stream Mainland Island. This area is like a safe haven for native plants and animals. The New Zealand Department of Conservation looks after five walking tracks here.

These tracks let visitors explore the reserve. You can walk to Shine Falls, which is the highest waterfall in Hawke's Bay at 58 meters tall. Another interesting spot is Bell Rock, a unique rock formation. The Boundary Stream Mainland Island covers 800 hectares. It is home to many native plants and birds. Some of the animals you might find include wētā, kaka (a native parrot), and kiwi. The land in this reserve ranges from 300 meters to 950 meters above sea level.

Helping Native Animals Thrive

Since 1996, a special program has been working to protect the native wildlife here. This program, run by Predator Free Hawke's Bay, aims to remove introduced animals. These introduced animals, like stoats and rats, can harm the native species. By removing them, the program helps native animals survive and thrive.

In 2018, a special project helped bring Titi (Cook's Petrel) back to the range. These seabirds were returned to their original nesting sites. This project is called Poutiri Ao o Tane.

Exploring the Maungaharuru Landscape

Besides the Boundary Stream Mainland Island, other smaller reserves are also found in the Maungaharuru Ranges. These include the Bellbird Bush Scenic Reserve, Opouahi Scenic Reserve, and Thomas Bush Scenic Reserve. Much of the rest of the range is used for farming.

One of the highest points in this range is Taraponui Peak, which rises to 1308 meters. The Maungaharuru Range is known for its rugged landscape and strong winds. These windy conditions make it a good place for wind farms.

Wind Power in Maungaharuru

The strong winds in the Maungaharuru Range make it a suitable location for generating clean energy. Wind farms use large turbines to turn wind into electricity. In 2005, two companies received permission to build wind farms in the area.

Later, in 2010 and 2011, a company called Meridian Energy bought these permissions. They decided to combine the two projects into one large wind farm. These permissions were extended until 2023. In 2019, Meridian Energy started looking for companies to help build the wind farm. Construction was expected to begin in 2020. This project is known as the Hawke's Bay Wind Farm.