Māori community group unveils new facilites at Forest Pools

Thursday 3 December 2015

Māori community group overcomes controversy to unveil new facilities at Forest Pools

Located on the edge of the Puketi Omahuata Forest in Waihou Valley, Forest Pools is a popular swimming place for locals and tourists during the summer months.

It’s seclusion and beauty however, has had its share of challenges and conflicts in the past. Local kaumatua Brendan Barnett shared historical stories of how he and his elders utilised the land. He also told of how the land was stolen under legislation, without proper consultation or consideration of his family’s rights and interests as manawhenua and kaitiaki.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) currently manages the area however, due to restructuring, many public spaces like Forest Pools are progressively being given to hapū and community groups to manage.

A new community group Te Mauri o Waihou was formed to manage Forest Pools and provides a much brighter future for the ongoing use and protection of the area, where mokopuna are now involved in its restoration and forward future planning.

New toilet facilities have been installed and sustainable landscaping is planned to separate both parking and picnic areas to provide safer spaces.

Local resident Budge Toki of Ngati Hao & Ngati Hau descent says, “Forest Pools has been our front and backyard our whole lives. My family and I are pleased that this group has come together to look after this taonga, to ensure it can be enjoyed by our mokopuna for many years to come”.

Forest Pools Family Picnic Day

Te Mauri o Waihou will be hosting a shared Picnic at Forest Pools Whānau Day on Saturday 5 December starting at 11am – 2pm. People will be able to see the new and improved public facilities, the installation of a new handmade sign, landscaping activities, mural painting by children with well known graffiti artist Chile and a well deserved shared picnic to keep everyone nourished and happy.

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