Perhaps, the windswept Hue tē Taka Peninsula whispers tales of resilience. This uplifted marine rock platform on Wellington’s south coast holds a unique story. It is a story etched in the very landscape.
Hue tē Taka Peninsula is also known as Moa Point. It stands as a testament to nature’s tenacity. Its exposed location shapes its distinctive plant life. Shrubland thrives on the gravels. Coastal herbfield and turf communities flourish in the hollows.
The botany team from Te Papa ventured here to compile a plant species list. They collected vouchered specimens. These plants are stored in Te Papa’s herbarium. It is a collection of dried plants. They sought to document seaweeds, mosses, lichens, ferns, and seed plants. The team needed a permit from the Wellington City Council to collect.
Trips to Hue tē Taka Peninsula were limited. The peninsula effectively becomes an island during most of the tidal cycle. Visits were restricted to four hours. These visits occurred only once or twice a month. This timing depended on the tidal cycles aligning with work hours. Shorter, more frequent trips helped study the reserve’s flowering plants. Different species flower at different times. Flowers are important for plant identification and collection.
A 1992 survey revealed an interesting change in vegetation. Karo was absent. Karo is also known as Pittosporum crassifolium. This introduced plant once dominated Hue tē Taka Peninsula. It threatened the coastal plant community’s structure. The Wellington City Council eradicated it. Despite this, Karo seedlings and other introduced plants continue to appear.
Hue tē Taka Peninsula displays a diverse range of plant species. Acaena novae-zelandiae, also known as red bidibid, grows here. Anthosachne solandri or native wheatgrass thrives. Asplenium appendiculatum subsp. maritimum is a coastal spleenwort. Calystegia soldanella is the shore bindweed. Disphyma australe subsp. australe is a native ice plant. Ficinia nodosa also grows here. It is a knobby club rush. Phormium cookianum subsp. cookianum is mountain flax. Plagianthus divaricatus is salt marsh ribbonwood. Poa cita is a silver tussock. Raoulia hookeri var. hookeri is scabweed. Spinifex sericeus is also present. It is known as kōwhangatara. Tetragonia trigyna is native spinach.
These plants demonstrate the peninsula’s rich biodiversity. Some introduced species also persist. Aeonium haworthii is a pinwheel aeonium. Allium triquetrum is onion weed. Bromus diandrus is ripgut brome. Carpobrotus edulis is ice plant. Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera is boneseed. Cotyledon orbiculata var. orbiculata is pig’s ear. Dimorphotheca fruticosa is a dimorphotheca. Foeniculum vulgare is fennel. Gazania rigens is Gazania. Hypochaeris radicata is catsear. Lagurus ovatus is harestail. Lupinus arboreus is tree lupin. Malva arborea is tree mallow. Senecio elegans is purple groundsel. Ulex europaeus is gorse.
Hue tē Taka Peninsula is more than just a piece of land. It is a dynamic ecosystem. It is shaped by tides, wind, and the constant struggle between native and introduced species. It offers a glimpse into the resilience of nature. It underscores the importance of conservation efforts in preserving unique coastal environments. As the waves crash against its rocky shores, Hue tē Taka Peninsula stands firm. It protects the fragile beauty within.