A visit to remnants of the Hauraki Plains once magnificent kahikatea forest and what is left of the salt meadow on the banks of the Waihou River. Frank Speedy Memorial Reserve- This kahikatea-Cordyline forest remnant south of Ngatea is an area gifted by the Speedy family that was part of the homestead reserve but is now a public road side rest area. It is an area that has been passed a million times but probably never really looked at, and includes some hybrids between two Melicytus species.
From here a 10 min. drive to the Kopu Bridge, and a short walk along the mangrove fringe of the Waihou River. Heading downstream beside the tidal edge, allows a chance to look at salt tolerant plants away from the tall fescue that dominates this area.
Meet: 9.30am Frank Speedy Memorial Reserve SH2, 2km south of Ngatea
