B-1 - Area 1, Coromandel Forest Park – Assessment of Environmental Effects 24 Figure 16: Warm spring emergence (left) and discharge to Wharekirauponga Stream 2.4.10 Terrestrial Ecology The terrestrial ecology values attributed to Area 1 are described in Boffa Miskell (2022b), a copy of which is provided in Part H of these application documents. Boffa Miskell (2022b) identifies the vegetation in the Wharekirauponga catchment as having very high ecological value. It comprises a complex forest structure including plants such as epiphytes, lianas, ferns, mosses, and common species of orchid vegetation types of various ages, which indicates that large parts of the forest are recovering from historical clearance. Stands of kauri (Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable) are found throughout. Other key observations by Boffa Miskell (2022b) in respect of the fauna contained within Area 1 are: It has very high ecological value for native frog species. The Wharekirauponga Valley is thought to be near the southern limit of the southern Coromandel Archey’s Frog population. Smaller tributaries in the Wharekirauponga catchment are likely to provide high quality habitat for Hochstetter’s Frog and this species was observed during surveys in 2019 and 2020. Both species are classed in the New Zealand Threat Classification hierarchy as ‘At Risk – Declining’.
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