Le Roys Bush, Auckland

Le Roy's Bush, Auckland, New Zealand is a public reserve between Birkenhead and Northcote, Auckland. The first purchase of land owned by Edward Le Roy, an Auckland business man, was by public subscription in 1947.

History of Le Roy's Bush

Le Roy's Bush was bought in 1918 by Edward and Gertrude Le Roy and named Urutapu. Edward established three ponds in which he grew water lilies and kept goldfish. He culverted streams to prevent flooding and piped the stream under the ponds, formed tracks through the bush and planted many native plants from Great Barrier and other parts of NZ.

After his death in 1947, the reserve was purchased by a public subscription organised by the North Shore Branch of the Forest and Bird Society.

The northern valley of Le Roy's Bush was known as Te Uruwao (Te Uruao) by early maori. The stream flowing through this valley forms a high waterfall. (Acknowledgements to Janet Watkins - typed paper).

What is Le Roy's Bush

Le Roy's Bush (12 hectares) has been extended from the original block by addition of further purchases of bush-clad back yards. It extends from Highbury in Birkenhead down a valley between Birkenhead Point and Onewa Road, where it joins the Little Shoal Bay Reserve (7.5 hectares) and Lutners Reserve (2.6 hectares) near Church Street in Northcote.

Infiltration of pest plants has been tackled by the Le Roy's Bush Management Committee and contractors supported by grants from the Auckland Regional Council and the Birkenhead Trust/Lion Foundation.

Finding your way to and around Le Roy's Bush

This Google map shows the walkways in Le Roy's Bush.

References

The Story of Birkenhead. Margaret McClure. Birkenhead City Council 1987. 223 pages.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Le Roys Bush, Auckland.