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THE PROJECT

The Mountain

Mount Ngongotaha is a volcanic dome 757 metres above sea level that overlooks the city of Rotorua, New Zealand.  Mount Ngongotaha is an iconic peak for the Affiliate of Te Arawa iwi/hapu.  Its traditional history reinforces tribal identity and solidarity and continuity between generations. The ownership of the public reserves was returned to Ngati Whakaue under the Treaty Settlement. The reserves remain under the management of the Department of Conservation.

Rotorua is one of New Zealand's top tourist centres, renowned for its active thermal features and its beautiful lakes and forests.

Due to far-sighted actions of Rotorua people and the New Zealand government early in the 20th century and over the last 100 years, the mountain has 525 hectares of  indigenous forest in public reserves administered by the Department of Conservation, much of it not damaged by logging.

Unfortunately, as with native forest throughout New Zealand, the forest and wildlife on the mountain are subject to damage by introduced pests and predators.

  

The Trust

The Mount Ngongotaha Bush Restoration Trust was formed in 2005. This followed concern that the forest on the mountain was deteriorating because of damage by pests.

 The vision of the Trust is to restore the natural ecosystems of the mountain and encourage enjoyment and appreciation of the bush by the community. The Trust works with the Department of Conservation to manage the forests that are in the Mount Ngongotaha Scenic Reserve.


The Trust runs an annual control programme to reduce the numbers of the pests and predators. It also develops tracks and other facilities to enable visitors of all ages to enjoy and learn about the forest and wildlife. The adjoining Violet Bonnington Reserve owned by Forest & Bird provides the
main point of access.
 

Much of the Trust’s work is done by volunteers. If you would like to help, you can join the
Friends of Mount Ngongotaha.  If you would like to join the Friends or make a donation, 
click here.

Contact details for the Trust are:
Secretary: secretary@ngongotaha.org Phone: ++ 64 7 3484841
Webmaster: webmaster@ngongotaha.org

For short biographies of the current Trustees, click here.