Amorino Park, nestled along the Orewa Estuary, is a beautiful green space that offers a perfect mix of native bush and large grassy areas. Located on the southern side of the bridge connecting Red Beach and Orewa, this beloved park serves as a recreational spot and a crucial habitat for local wildlife.

In 2021, local resident Maria Sinclair reached out to Restore Hibiscus and Bays (RHB) for help with restoring the park. As a volunteer for Forest & Bird’s Pest Free Hibiscus Coast Project, Maria had noticed an alarming number of invasive weeds while conducting predator control. Realizing the urgency of the situation, Maria collaborated with RHB to kickstart monthly working bees, inviting the community to help remove invasive species such as jasmine, Japanese honeysuckle, moth plant, arum lilies, periwinkle, and tradescantia.

The Journey So Far

During the restoration process, we identified an area of 1,000m² of boggy grass next to the existing bush in the park. This area, too wet to mow for most of the year, proved to be an ideal site for native planting. In 2022, with the help of 22 enthusiastic volunteers, we planted 700 native plants under the glorious winter sun. The following years, 2023 and 2024, saw us continue to expand the planting efforts, adding a few hundred more native plants to the area.

Thanks to the consistent dedication of our volunteers, the planted area is now thriving. It’s gradually becoming robust enough to shade out invasive weeds and sustain itself. In addition to planting, our volunteers have made remarkable progress in eradicating weeds across the park.

In September 2024, we were joined by over 30 volunteers from Ismaili Civic in celebration of Global Ismaili CIVIC Day. Their efforts helped remove tons of tradescantia, periwinkle, agapanthus, and arum lilies. Shortly after, in October 2024, we were fortunate to be joined by the Keas, Cubs, and Scouts from Orewa Sea Scouts for another massive weed blitz. Their enthusiasm and hard work have had a lasting impact on the park’s restoration.

What’s Next for Amorino Park?

Looking ahead to 2025, the community group is committed to continuing its monthly working bees to maintain the existing planting site until it can thrive independently. Our ongoing efforts will focus on keeping weeds under control throughout the park. We’re also excited about the possibility of expanding our native planting areas in winter 2025, with a particular focus on those areas that are too wet to mow.

How You Can Help

We’re always excited to welcome new volunteers to join in the restoration efforts! Our regular working bees are held on the 4th Sunday of every month from 10 AM to 12 PM. Whether you can spare a few hours or commit to regular visits, your help will make a meaningful impact on the beauty and biodiversity of Amorino Park.

Together, we can continue nurturing this special place and ensure its vitality for generations to come. We look forward to seeing you at our next working bee!