Scenery
Ratanui 1048, (big rata)
The sanctuary is a 100 hectare predator-free native bird sanctuary, set amongst one of the few patches of virgin lowland forest.
Within the Bushy Park Sanctuary there are 3.4km of metalled or well-formed walking tracks throughout the forest providing easy all-weather access for visitors. Tree species include mahoe, mamaku, pukatea, rata, and rimu along with colonies of ferns and mosses. A feature of the reserve is a large northern rata Metrosideros robusta named Ratanui ("Big Rata"). It is estimated to be between 500 and 1000 years old and is 43 metres in height and has a girth that exceeds 11 metres.
Ref: Ratanui 1048
Date: 30/01/2016
Location: Kai Iwi, Whanganui, New Zealand
Photographer: Paul Knight
