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www.putaruru.co.nz
Jim Barnett Scenic Reserve
One of the few remaining fragments of the native Waotu Bush, this attractive reserve contains two easy walking tracks that take you through stands of tawa, mangeao, rewarewa, totara, rimu, kahikatea, matai, miro and other native trees.
Many common bush birds are found in the reserve and around the edges areas of retired pasture have been replanted with everything from totara to koromiko. Work with Pest control in the reserve is bringing back some species long lost to the area.
The Reserve was bought from the Barnett family in 1992. and is now managed by a committee with representatives from Forest and Bird, Putaruru Rotary, Putaruru Walking Group, South Waikato District Council and the Waotu community.
Walking tracks
Time: Main Track 30 minutes
Totara Track 15 minutes
Grade: Easy (with a few, short steep bits)
The Main Track is metalled and easy underfoot.
The Totara Track is narrower and rougher, but still negotiable for people of most fitness levels.
A camping area is provided on a clear grassy area in the corner of a paddock. It has a toilet and tap water.
History
In 186 AD, the volcanic crater we now call Lake Taupo erupted violently .leaving the landscape left burnt and barren in all but a few sheltered spots.
At Waotu, a low hill diverted the destruction and a narrow strip of bush was left intact. It stood alone in a sea of regenerating tussock and shrubs until the arrival of Maori, who named it He Waotu tahi nga rakau (the tall forest that stood by itself).
The area was soon densely populated, at first by Ngati Kahupungapunga and then, from the 16th century, by Ngati Raukawa. However, the things that made Waotu popular for Maori, the resources of the forest and the nearness of the mighty Waikato, also attracted European settlers. By the end of the 19th century much of the shrubland had been cleared for farms and logging had begun in Waotu Bush, as it was now known.
About 90% (900 ha) of Waotu Bush was gone by the 1920s. Valuable timber trees like totara and rimu were cut down, and today only fragments remain; the largest of these is made up of Jim Barnett Reserve and an adjoining block of covenanted land.
Short drive to the reserve
Pigeon spotted in the trees
Pride in Putaruru
"Encouraging pride
in our community"
Easy walking track
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