Bushy Park (New Zealand)

In 1880, an area of {{Convert|966|acres|order=flip}} inland from Kai Iwi was sold by a Māori chief, Uru Te Angina to James Moore for £483.{{Sfn|Robinson|2006|p=80}}{{cite news |date=24 April 1880 |title=The native question |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH18800424.2.9 |work=Wanganui Herald |page=2 |via=Papers Past |volume=XII |issue=3696}} Moore established a large farm on the estate and his son Frank Moore became known as a breeder of cattle and horses. However, a {{Convert|245|acres|order=flip}} remnant of native lowland forest was preserved, and this is now the Bushy Park Tarapuruhi reserve.{{cite web |title=Bason Botanic Gardens and Bushy Park Forest Reserve |url=https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/bason-botanic-gardens-and-bushy-park-forest-reserve/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523234601/https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/bason-botanic-gardens-and-bushy-park-forest-reserve/ |archive-date=23 May 2022 |access-date=10 June 2024 |website=100% Pure New Zealand |publisher=}}{{Cite web |last=Workman |first=Jayne |date=12 May 2022 |title=Rātānui Reverence |url=https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/ratanui-reverence |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418053313/https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/ratanui-reverence |archive-date=18 April 2024 |access-date=2024-04-18 |website= |publisher=Forest & Bird |language=en}} The forest reserve and the homestead, built for Frank Moore in 1906, were bequeathed to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand by Moore upon his death in 1962.{{Cite news |date=21 June 1962 |title=Bushy Park Gift |work=Wanganui Herald |pages=1}}{{cite web |date=2006 |title=Grand Old Lady of Bushy Park Celebrates 100 years. |url=http://www.bushyparksanctuary.org.nz/whats_new/centennialflow.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314192247/http://www.bushyparksanctuary.org.nz/whats_new/centennialflow.html |archivedate=14 March 2011 |accessdate=4 March 2011 |work=Flow Magazine, Issue 5 |publisher=Bushy Park Trust}}

Between 1981 and 1984, the national Forest & Bird organisation debated the economic viability of continued involvement in the Bushy Park homestead and grounds. However, in 1985, the Forest & Bird Council confirmed that they would continue to own the homestead and promote its use.{{Sfn|Robinson|2006|p=80}} In 1988, a bunkhouse was constructed behind the homestead, adjacent to the stables, to provide additional accommodation on site.{{sfn|Robinson|2006|p=86}} In 1994, the homestead and grounds were transferred to the Bushy Park Homestead and Forest Trust, later renamed as the Bushy Park Trust. Responsibility for managing the homestead and grounds was transferred to the members of the trust in 1995.{{Sfn|Robinson|2006|p=80}}

A {{convert|4.8|km|mi|adj=on}} pest-exclusion fence around the reserve was completed in May 2005, and two aerial drops of rodent bait occurred later that year.{{cite web |title=Bushy Park – a Wanganui Treasure |url=http://www.savethekiwi.org.nz/kiwi-saving-kiwi/community-efforts/bushy-park.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522052032/http://www.savethekiwi.org.nz/kiwi-saving-kiwi/community-efforts/bushy-park.html |archivedate=22 May 2010 |accessdate=4 March 2011 |work= |publisher=BNZ Save The Kiwi Trust}} The sanctuary was declared predator-free in 2006 and is now a mainland island (or ecological island). A secondary predator fence was subsequently constructed to enclose approximately {{Convert|8|ha|spell=in}} of open space and wetlands surrounding the homestead, as a defence against rats and mice that could enter in vehicles visiting the homestead and adjacent buildings.{{Cite journal |date=November 2006 |title=Bushy Park |url=https://issuu.com/forestandbird/docs/forest___bird_magazine_issue_322_november_2006 |journal=Forest & Bird Magazine |volume=322 |pages=30-31 |access-date=10 June 2024 |archive-date=4 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304103450/https://issuu.com/forestandbird/docs/forest___bird_magazine_issue_322_november_2006 |url-status=live }}{{Sfn|Campbell-Hunt|2013|p=36}} The opening of Bushy Park's kiwi crèche in 2005 was marked by the arrival of a female kiwi chick from the Waimarino Forest.

A celebration of the centenary of the Bushy Park reserve was held on 27–28 October 2006.{{Cite news |last=Koubaridis |first=Andrew |date=5 October 2006 |title=Bushy Park 100th birthday bash |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/bushy-park-100th-birthday-bash/IKQMSQQLVLTZHJHKU4JN2MDTWA/ |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=Whanganui Chronicle |via=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610072518/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/bushy-park-100th-birthday-bash/IKQMSQQLVLTZHJHKU4JN2MDTWA/ |url-status=live }} In 2009, Bushy Park was judged as being one of the top 25 ecological restoration projects in Australasia.{{Cite web |last=Gibson |first=Eloise |date=15 April 2009 |title=NZ tops in eco projects |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10566652 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026013827/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10566652 |archive-date=26 October 2012 |website=The New Zealand Herald}} In 2014, there was an incursion of rats into the sanctuary.{{Cite news |last=Stowell |first=Laurel |date=29 November 2014 |title=Bushy Park's in full rat attack mode |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/bushy-parks-in-full-rat-attack-mode/VRP5XBBRQAVXOTVTEZLSWIDUKY/ |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=Whanganui Chronicle |via=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610083522/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/bushy-parks-in-full-rat-attack-mode/VRP5XBBRQAVXOTVTEZLSWIDUKY/ |url-status=live }} The Bushy Park trust mobilised volunteers to assist with predator control to eliminate the rats, but also announced their intention to seek funding for a paid full-time staff.{{Cite news |last=Stowell |first=Laurel |date=22 December 2014 |title=Call for full-time staff at Bushy Park |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/call-for-full-time-staff-at-bushy-park/J5YTJC2TYLP7SHAEG6IHR7IKOU/ |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=Whanganui Chronicle |via=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610083524/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/call-for-full-time-staff-at-bushy-park/J5YTJC2TYLP7SHAEG6IHR7IKOU/ |url-status=live }}

The forest reserve and homestead were renamed Bushy Park Tarapuruhi in 2019. The meaning of {{lang|mi|tarapuruhi}} in the Māori language is "place of abundant bird life".{{Cite news |last=Stowell |first=Laurel |date=7 August 2019 |title=New name, new visitor centre for Whanganui's Bushy Park |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/new-name-new-visitor-centre-for-whanganuis-bushy-park/ZMXGRXPQAUAK2BPZTP2U46AKSQ/ |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=Whanganui Chronicle |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224165913/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/new-name-new-visitor-centre-for-whanganuis-bushy-park/ZMXGRXPQAUAK2BPZTP2U46AKSQ/ |url-status=live}} In 2020, work began to extend the forest reserve by retiring a {{Convert|2|ha|adj=on|spell=in}} paddock that had been leased out for grazing, and restoring it with plants sourced from within the reserve.{{Cite news |last=Stowell |first=Laurel |date=7 October 2020 |title=Whanganui forest sanctuary Bushy Park to be extended |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/whanganui-forest-sanctuary-bushy-park-to-be-extended/WYJUW7X3TPXCJQV26XZNDIE4HE/ |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=Whanganui Chronicle |via=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702045034/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/whanganui-forest-sanctuary-bushy-park-to-be-extended/WYJUW7X3TPXCJQV26XZNDIE4HE/ |url-status=live }} In 2022, a further project commenced to revegetate an area of {{Convert|4|ha|spell=in}} of paddock within the sanctuary boundary. The project was expected to take between three and five years, and required the expansion of the sanctuary's plant nursery and shadehouses.{{Cite news |date=26 July 2022 |title=Bushy Park gets eco restoration |work=Whanganui Chronicle |pages=A.2 |id={{ProQuest|2693847920}}}}{{Cite news |date=19 June 2024 |title=Celebrating Matariki at Tarapuruhi Bushy Park |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/whanganui-midweek/celebrating-matariki-at-tarapuruhi-bushy-park/FODN43EAS5A2LB5RK3UOFZNYLY/ |access-date=22 July 2024 |work=Whanganui Chronicle}} In 2023, Bushy Park Tarapuruhi was chosen as one of three venues for a national celebration of the centenary of the founding of the Forest & Bird Protection Society.{{Cite news |last=Wylie |first=Liz |date=24 March 2023 |title=Big Birthday Bash for Forest & Bird at Whanganui's Bushy Park Tarapuruhi |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/big-birthday-bash-for-forest-and-bird-at-whanganuis-bushy-park-tarapuruhi/NGNUTGSBIZGBNGIAG7QQFIXLJM/ |access-date=12 June 2024 |work=Whanganui Chronicle |via=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324065723/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/big-birthday-bash-for-forest-and-bird-at-whanganuis-bushy-park-tarapuruhi/NGNUTGSBIZGBNGIAG7QQFIXLJM/ |url-status=live }}

In 2025, a tree fell over the pest exclusion fence in a storm, and evidence was found of rat incursion into the sanctuary. An emergency response was mobilised to trap any predators that had entered the sanctuary.{{Cite web |date=29 April 2025 |title=Fallen tree creates rat bridge over Tarapuruhi Bushy Park's predator-proof fence |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559330/fallen-tree-creates-rat-bridge-over-tarapuruhi-bushy-park-s-predator-proof-fence |access-date=2 May 2025 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}

File:Bushy Park Tarapuruhi - MC 01.jpg

The title to the forest reserve and bird sanctuary has been retained by Forest & Bird, but the sanctuary area is leased to the Bushy Park Trust.{{Sfn|Campbell-Hunt|2013|p=36}} Management of the reserve is via a partnership between the Bushy Park Trust, Forest & Bird and the local iwi Ngā Rauru Kītahi.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2 February 2024 |title=Redefining conservation |url=https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/science/about/news/redefining-conservation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610072505/https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/science/about/news/redefining-conservation |archive-date=10 June 2024 |access-date=10 June 2024 |website= |publisher=Victoria University of Wellington |language=en-NZ}} The homestead and its surrounds have been owned and managed by the Bushy Park Trust since 1995.{{Cite news |date=30 September 2023 |title=Spring Joy Spring Joy |work=Whanganui Chronicle |id={{ProQuest|2869964100}}}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Bushy Park Trust |url=https://www.nzbn.govt.nz/mynzbn/nzbndetails/9429042601371 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200605052147/https://www.nzbn.govt.nz/mynzbn/nzbndetails/9429035669487/ |archive-date=5 June 2020 |access-date=9 June 2024 |website= |publisher=New Zealand Business Number |language=en-nz}} {{As of|2024}}, Forest & Bird pays the salary of sanctuary manager, and volunteers donate 500–600 hours per month working in the reserve. Volunteers undertake regular checks of the pest-exclusion fence, maintain tracks and manage weeds in the reserve. Other volunteer work includes raising plants in the on-site nursery.

Mice have never been eliminated from the sanctuary, and regular pest management is required to keep their numbers under control. There are 508 tracking tunnels in place across the reserve, and these are monitored to determine when additional pest management is needed.{{Cite journal |last=Brooke |first=Mandy |date=2021 |title=Brimming with bird calls |url=https://issuu.com/forestandbird/docs/f_b_magazine_380_winter_2021 |journal=Forest & Bird |issue=380 |pages=52-54}} Pest animal control is also undertaken in an area of {{Convert|600|ha}} surrounding the sanctuary fence. This is known as the Bushy Park Tarapuruhi halo project and is funded by a Department of Conservation Community Fund and Horizons Regional Council. The project seeks to improve the chances of survival of birds that move outside the boundaries of the sanctuary.{{Cite book |url=https://www.horizons.govt.nz/HRC/media/Media/Agenda-Reports/Environment-Committee-(3)/Environment-Committee-2021-15-09/21122%20Annex%20C%20Biodiversity.pdf |title=Environment-Committee 2021 - Annex C Biodiversity |publisher=Horizons Regional Council |year=2021 |pages=17 |language=en-NZ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615230440/https://www.horizons.govt.nz/HRC/media/Media/Agenda-Reports/Environment-Committee-(3)/Environment-Committee-2021-15-09/21122%20Annex%20C%20Biodiversity.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2024 |url-status=live}}

Funding is obtained from multiple sources, including Horizons Regional Council.{{Cite news |last=Tweed |first=Mike |date=6 February 2024 |title=Bushy Park Tarapuruhi sanctuary near Whanganui in line for significant funding boost |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/bushy-park-tarapuruhi-sanctuary-near-whanganui-in-line-for-significant-funding-boost/HMGFE5BLTVBYZCLBGZDBISTP3M/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207063734/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/bushy-park-tarapuruhi-sanctuary-near-whanganui-in-line-for-significant-funding-boost/HMGFE5BLTVBYZCLBGZDBISTP3M/ |archive-date=7 February 2024 |access-date=13 June 2024 |work=Whanganui Chronicle |via=The New Zealand Herald}} The Bushy Park Festival, an annual event on the Sunday of Wellington Anniversary weekend, has been a major fundraising event for the trust.{{cite web |date= |title=Sun finally comes out on Bushy Park Festival |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/sun-finally-comes-out-on-bushy-park-festival/N4VYZAPD2B2GQDGYETZJ627NWM/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610072517/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/sun-finally-comes-out-on-bushy-park-festival/N4VYZAPD2B2GQDGYETZJ627NWM/ |archive-date=10 June 2024 |accessdate=10 June 2024 |work=Whanganui Chronicle}} {{As of|2024}} the sanctuary has free entry.{{Cite web |title=Bushy Park Tarapuruhi |url=https://www.whanganui.govt.nz/Services-Amenities/Parks-Reserves/Find-a-Park/Bushy-Park-Tarapuruhi |access-date=15 June 2024 |website= |publisher=Whanganui District Council |language=en-AU}}

File:Bushy Park MRD 16.jpg

The reserve is a remnant of temperate lowland forest and is surrounded by pasture land.{{Cite journal |last=McWilliam |first=H.A. |last2=Death |first2=R.G. |year=1998 |title=Arboreal arthropod communities of remnant podocarp‐hardwood rainforest in North Island, New Zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Zoology |volume=25 |issue=2 |doi=10.1080/03014223.1998.9518146}} The upper canopy in the reserve consists of trees such as northern rātā, mataī, miro, kahikatea, tōtara, rimu, hīnau, tawa, and pukatea. The large number of pukatea is a particular feature of the reserve. The canopy trees support a wide range of ephiphytes including astelia, ferns and orchids, along with climbing plants such as rātā, clematis, New Zealand passionfruit and supplejack. The sub-canopy of the forest includes nīkau palms and tree ferns such as mamaku, along with tarata, kohukohu, tīkoki and rewarewa.{{sfn|Robinson|2006|p=99}}

The third layer within the forest contains plants adapted to growing in reduced-light conditions with a cooler and more humid environment. These include juvenile forms of the canopy trees along with smaller tree ferns, māhoe, comprosma species, kawakawa, five-finger, rangiora, pigeonwood, and kōtukutuku (tree fuchsia).{{sfn|Robinson|2006|p=99}} The forest floor supports a wide range of plants that can survive in damp, low light conditions, including ferns, umbrella moss, lichens, liverworts, fungi, ground-dwelling orchids and tree seedlings.{{sfn|Robinson|2006|p=101}}

A major visitor attraction in the reserve is a large northern rātā named {{lang|mi|Ratanui}} (big rātā). The tree is estimated to be 1,000 years old. It is {{convert|43|m}} in height and its girth exceeds {{convert|11|m}}. Prior to the establishment of the pest-exclusion fence, the tree was severely damaged by possums. This tree featured in an international writing project called 26 Trees.{{Cite web |last=Workman |first=Jayne |title=Within 26 Trees |url=https://26project.org.uk/26trees/?p=88 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418061051/https://26project.org.uk/26trees/?p=88 |archive-date=18 April 2024 |access-date=18 April 2024 |website=26 Projects}}

Surveys of the flora in the reserve have identified around 160 native species. This is a smaller species count than might be found in other comparable forest remnants. A possible explanation is that there was some stock grazing within the forest until it was fully fenced in 1951.{{sfn|Robinson|2006|p=98}} Prior to the elimination of rats and possums in 2005, browsing by possoms had caused severe damage to northern rātā and depletion of species such as wineberry and tree fuchsia. However, the health of the forest has since recovered.{{sfn|Robinson|2006|p=101}} There had been minimal logging in the forest.{{Cite web |last=Guthrie |first=Kate |date=14 April 2019 |title=Community-led conservation dates back to 1960s at Bushy Park-Tarapuruhi |url=https://predatorfreenz.org/stories/community-led-conservation-dates-back-to-1960s-at-bushy-park-tarapuruhi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612072042/https://predatorfreenz.org/stories/community-led-conservation-dates-back-to-1960s-at-bushy-park-tarapuruhi/ |archive-date=12 June 2024 |access-date=12 June 2024 |website= |publisher=Predator Free NZ Trust |language=en-NZ}}

Common native bird species that may be found in the reserve include kererū, bellbird ({{lang|mi|korimako}}) and tūī, as well as the fantail ({{lang|mi|pīwakawaka}}), grey warbler ({{lang|mi|riroriro}}), silvereye ({{lang|mi|tauhou}}) and pūkeko. Avian predators such as the New Zealand falcon ({{lang|mi|kārearea}}) and the white-faced heron ({{lang|mi|matuku moana}}) can also be seen.{{cite web |title=Bushy Park Awarded |url=http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/reserves/bushy-park |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517130946/http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/reserves/bushy-park |archive-date=17 May 2011 |access-date=4 March 2011 |website= |publisher=Forest & Bird}}{{Cite web |date=13 May 2013 |title=Bushy Park Sanctuary |url=https://www.nzbirds.com/birding/bushypark.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614082351/https://www.nzbirds.com/birding/bushypark.html |archive-date=14 June 2024 |access-date=14 June 2024 |website=NZbirds}}

Some endemic bird species have been translocated into the reserve to assist with increasing their distribution and total population. North Island robin ({{lang|mi|toutouwai}}) were introduced to the sanctuary in 2000, with an initial population of 28 birds. An additional 12 females and six males were added in 2004.{{Cite news |last=Bruce |first=David |date=6 May 2005 |title=Encouragement for predator fence plan |work=Taranaki Daily News |id={{ProQuest|315211107}}}} By 2019, the population was estimated at 600 birds.{{Cite news |date=23 May 2019 |title=Bushy Park nurtures 41 young hihi |work=Whanganui Chronicle |page=A.3 |pages= |id={{ProQuest|2228719442}}}} The increase in the population of North Island robins has been associated with decreases in the occurrence of grey warbler, silvereye and fantail. Tomits have remained at only low numbers in the reserve. A possible explanation is that these species are unable to compete successfully with the introduced birds.{{Cite journal |last=Drummond |first=Faline M. |last2=Armstrong |first2=Doug P. |date=10 May 2019 |title=Use of distance sampling to measure long-term changes in bird densities in a fenced wildlife sanctuary |url= |journal=New Zealand Journal of Ecology |volume=43 |issue=2 |page=6 |doi=10.20417/nzjecol.43.19|doi-access=free }} North Island saddleback ({{lang|mi|tīeke}}) from Mokoia Island were introduced in 2006, starting with 34 birds.{{Sfn|Campbell-Hunt|2013|p=36}} By 2016, the population had increased to more than 400.{{Cite news |last=Wylie |first=Liz |date=22 November 2016 |title=Take a pew at Bushy Park |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/take-a-pew-at-bushy-park/3WF6VQ7LHCCTYX5E5R7SGRH6HI/ |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=Whanganui Chronicle |via=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610083524/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/take-a-pew-at-bushy-park/3WF6VQ7LHCCTYX5E5R7SGRH6HI/ |url-status=live }}

The populations of North Island robin and saddleback in the Bushy Park reserve have increased to the extent that relocations to other sanctuary areas have been undertaken. In 2014, 40 North Island saddleback were translocated from Bushy Park to the {{Convert|230|ha|adj=on}} Lake Rotokare fenced sanctuary in Taranaki.{{Cite news |last=Finer |first=Petra |date=2 June 2014 |title=More Tieke return to Rotokare |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/10109601/More-Tieke-return-to-Rotokare |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715192355/http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/10109601/More-Tieke-return-to-Rotokare |url-status=live }} In 2017, 40 North Island robins were translocated from Bushy Park to Lake Rotokare.{{Cite news |last=Persico |first=Christina |date=4 May 2017 |title=Robins to add genetic depth at Rotokare Sanctuary |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/92190324/robins-to-add-genetic-depth-at-rotokare-sanctuary |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=Stuff |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328161915/https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/92190324/robins-to-add-genetic-depth-at-rotokare-sanctuary |url-status=live }} A further 40 North Island robins were translocated in 2021 from Bushy Park to the Turitea Reserve in Palmerston North.{{Cite news |last=Rankin |first=Janine |date=29 June 2021 |title=The robins return to Turitea Reserve |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125595875/the-robins-return-to-turitea-reserve |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611094314/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125595875/the-robins-return-to-turitea-reserve |archive-date=11 June 2023 |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=Stuff}}{{Cite news |date=1 July 2021 |title=Local Focus: Robins return to Manawatū |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/local-focus-robins-return-to-manawatu/Y5NHKMXHM75XXTIWBULMPYMCQA/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925011431/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/local-focus-robins-return-to-manawatu/Y5NHKMXHM75XXTIWBULMPYMCQA/ |archive-date=25 September 2021 |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald}}

The endemic stitchbird ({{lang|mi|hihi}}) has a conservation status of 'nationally vulnerable'. Fifty birds were introduced to the sanctuary in 2013. In 2018, ten hihi were translocated from Tiritiri Matangi Island to Bushy Park to increase the genetic diversity. The breeding success of hihi at Bushy Park has varied between 14 and 48 chicks fledged each season. Volunteers conduct weekly checks of nest boxes and supply sugar-water to supplementary feeding stations. Over 1,000 volunteer-hours were spent on supporting hihi during 2020. The 2020–2021 hihi breeding season was particularly successful, and the number of females in the sanctuary doubled to 16.{{Cite news |last=Stowell |first=Laurel |date=1 April 2021 |title=Whanganui's Bushy Park Tarapuruhi sanctuary has good hihi breeding season |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/whanganuis-bushy-park-tarapuruhi-sanctuary-has-good-hihi-breeding-season/ZHQ7EXTYHZ3PFQHRGZWRNAOLVQ/ |work=Whanganui Chronicle |via=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=10 June 2024 |archive-date=6 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206174123/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/whanganuis-bushy-park-tarapuruhi-sanctuary-has-good-hihi-breeding-season/ZHQ7EXTYHZ3PFQHRGZWRNAOLVQ/ |url-status=live }}

In May 2022, a flock of 52 whiteheads ({{lang|mi|pōpokotea}}) was translocated from Waitahinga Reserve to Bushy Park.{{Cite news |date=11 May 2022 |title=More than 50 pōpokotea whiteheads reintroduced to Whanganui sanctuary |work=RNZ |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/466912/more-than-50-popokotea-whiteheads-reintroduced-to-whanganui-sanctuary#:~:text=A%20flock%20of%2052%20p%C5%8Dpokotea,a%20Whanganui%20predator%2Dfree%20sanctuary.&text=The%20p%C5%8Dpokotea%20whitehead%20is%20an,home%20at%20Bushy%20Park%20Tarapuruhi. |access-date=13 May 2022 |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610072501/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/466912/more-than-50-popokotea-whiteheads-reintroduced-to-whanganui-sanctuary#:~:text=A%20flock%20of%2052%20p%C5%8Dpokotea,a%20Whanganui%20predator%2Dfree%20sanctuary.&text=The%20p%C5%8Dpokotea%20whitehead%20is%20an,home%20at%20Bushy%20Park%20Tarapuruhi. |url-status=live }} In April 2023, around 60 rifleman ({{lang|mi|titipounamu}}) were translocated from {{lang|mi|Taranaki Mounga}} to Bushy Park in an arrangement facilitated by the local hapū of Taranaki Maunga.{{Cite news |last=Wylie |first=Liz |date=22 April 2023 |title=Tiny birds find new home Titipounamu resettled at Bushy Park in project led by hapū |work=Whanganui Chronicle |id={{ProQuest|2804013237}}}}{{Cite web |date=2023-04-24 |title=Titipounamu return to ancient homeland thanks to generosity of Taranaki Maunga hapū |url=https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/titipounamu-return-ancient-homeland-thanks-generosity-taranaki-maunga-hapu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523060357/https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/titipounamu-return-ancient-homeland-thanks-generosity-taranaki-maunga-hapu |archive-date=23 May 2024 |access-date=10 June 2024 |website= |publisher=Forest & Bird |language=en-NZ}}

File:Male Stitchbird (Hihi) (51584065005) (cropped).jpg|Male stitchbird (hihi)

File:North Island Robin - Toutouwai (51694681967) (cropped).jpg|North Island robin (toutouwai)

File:Tieke - North Island Saddleback (51592857823) (cropped).jpg|North Island saddleback (tīeke)

File:NZ Fantail - Piwakawaka (High ISO) (52094671533) (cropped).jpg|New Zealand fantail (pīwakawaka)

File:Kereru at Bushy Park.jpg|Kererū

Giraffe weevils, glowworms, and huhu beetles are also found in Bushy Park. In 2016, a 24-hour bioblitz was held at Bushy Park to gain more understanding of the invertebrates living in the sanctuary.{{Cite news |last=Maslin |first=John |date=16 February 2016 |title=Bioblitz uncovers vital information about insects |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/bioblitz-uncovers-vital-information-about-insects/K63MD3MDUCZIVRFCKOC44EFEXA/ |access-date=14 June 2024 |work=Whanganui Chronicle |via=The New Zealand Herald}}{{Cite journal |last=White |first=Rebekah |date=Nov–Dec 2018 |title=Citizen science |url=https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/citizen-science/ |journal=New Zealand Geographic |language=en-NZ |issue=154 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-06-14}}

{{main|Bushy Park Homestead}}

The reserve includes a 22-room Edwardian-era homestead built in 1906 that is registered as a Category 1 historic place with Heritage New Zealand.{{NZHPT|157|Bushy Park Homestead|3 August 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Roxborogh |first=Tim |date=7 February 2021 |title=Luxury and history in Whanganui's Bushy Park |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/luxury-and-history-in-whanganuis-bushy-park/AR77CD45JBL76B2WKCQNTKAK6Q/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610072502/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/luxury-and-history-in-whanganuis-bushy-park/AR77CD45JBL76B2WKCQNTKAK6Q/ |archive-date=10 June 2024 |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald}} The Bushy Park Trust leases the homestead to proprietors to operate a business, offering accommodation and a venue for events.{{cite news |date=31 October 2007 |title=Idyllic living on nature's doorstep |work=Dominion Post |id={{ProQuest|338321099}}}}

A visitor centre was opened in 2019. It was constructed in former stables behind the homestead, and includes an interpretation centre, a space for exhibiting historic items, and toilet facilities.{{Cite news |last=Leach |first=Abe |date=16 September 2019 |title=Conservation Minister opens new visitor centre at Bushy Park Tarapuruhi |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/conservation-minister-opens-new-visitor-centre-at-bushy-park-tarapuruhi/RASJH53E7Z7KANECA76W774GYE/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612070736/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/conservation-minister-opens-new-visitor-centre-at-bushy-park-tarapuruhi/RASJH53E7Z7KANECA76W774GYE/ |archive-date=12 June 2024 |access-date=12 June 2024 |work=Whanganui Chronicle |via=The New Zealand Herald}} The heritage displays in the visitor centre include a horse tack room with equipment used in bridling horses, and the quarters for the groom. It also includes the generator that powered the homestead before the arrival of mains electricity.{{Cite news |last=Wade |first=Pamela |date=22 August 2020 |title=World Famous in NZ: Bushy Park Tarapuruhi Historic Homestead and Forest Sanctuary |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/whanganui-manawatu/300086079/world-famous-in-nz-bushy-park-tarapuruhi-historic-homestead-and-forest-sanctuary?rm=a |access-date=12 June 2024 |work=Stuff}} Other facilities for visitors include a network of ten paths through the forest reserve.{{cite web |last=Frances |first=Helen |title=Bushy Park Kiwi Creche |url=http://www.fourcorners.co.nz/new-zealand/bushy-park/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722181907/http://www.fourcorners.co.nz/new-zealand/bushy-park/ |archive-date=22 July 2011 |accessdate=4 March 2011 |work=Fourcorners}}

File:Bushy Park Tarapuruhi - MC 04.jpg

The Bushy Park Tarapuruhi Trust provides education programmes at the sanctuary for school children and other groups.{{Cite web |date=4 March 2024 |title='We can make a difference': New face at Tarapuruhi Bushy Park |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/tarapuruhi-bushy-park-new-education-co-ordinator-hopes-to-take-sanctuary-to-the-public/OWN5UO7X2BHMHHEY4S6NCBOMKI/ |access-date=1 October 2024 |website= |publisher=Whanganui Chronicle |language=en-NZ |via=New Zealand Herald}} These programmes began in 2001,{{Cite news |last=McDonald |first=Anne-Marie |date=18 November 2017 |title=Call of Nature; Educating the next generation at Bushy Park wildlife sanctuary |work=Whanganui Chronicle |id={{ProQuest|1965179627}}}} and are supported by volunteer educators working in collaboration with educators from Whanganui Regional Museum and the Sarjeant Gallery, and rangers from the Department of Conservation.{{cite web |title=Education: Bushy Park Tarapuruhi |url=https://bushypark.nz/education/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610102544/https://bushypark.nz/education/ |archive-date=10 June 2024 |access-date=11 June 2024 |website= |publisher=Bushy Park Tarapuruhi}} An outdoor classroom is located adjacent to the former stables behind the homestead. The classroom, named {{lang|mi|Tāne Whakapiripiri}}, was opened in 2017 and seats 60–80 under waterproof shade covers.{{Cite news |last=Stowell |first=Laurel |date=24 June 2017 |title=Outdoor classroom opens at Bushy Park |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/outdoor-classroom-opens-at-bushy-park/A4NNZLGC5VMT6EDGG6LRCH6DDM/#google_vignette |access-date=11 June 2024 |work=Whanganui Chronicle |via=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=11 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611034914/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/outdoor-classroom-opens-at-bushy-park/A4NNZLGC5VMT6EDGG6LRCH6DDM/#google_vignette |url-status=live }}

The reserve includes a wetland area that has been developed as an educational resource. The wetland has boardwalks, jetties and a 60-seat covered amphitheatre. The development of the wetland area was funded and constructed by community volunteers.{{Cite web |date=September 2019 |title=New Visitor Centre Opens at Bushy Park Tarapuruhi |url=https://www.rotarydistrict9920.org/stories/new-visitor-centre-opens-at-bushy-park-tarapuruhi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612224944/https://www.rotarydistrict9920.org/stories/new-visitor-centre-opens-at-bushy-park-tarapuruhi |archive-date=12 June 2024 |access-date=13 June 2024 |website= |publisher=Rotary District 9920}}{{Cite web |title=Bushy Park Sanctuary - Wetland Educational Area Opening |url=https://digitalnz.org/records/36294002 |access-date=15 June 2024 |website=DigitalNZ |language=en-NZ}}

The educational activities offered include studies of the biodiversity and ecology in the sanctuary, walks through the sanctuary, art and camping.{{cite news| title=Conservation gets pupils back to nature at park |date=23 October 2017| last=McDonald |first= Anne-Marie|work=Whanganui Chronicle|id={{ProQuest|1953659828}}}} Around 2,000 students visit the sanctuary each year.

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite Q|Q127512835|last=Campbell-Hunt|first=Diane|year=2013}}
• {{cite Q|Q121177115|last=Robinson|first=Penny|year=2006}}

{{Commons category|Bushy Park (New Zealand)}}

• [https://bushypark.nz/ Bushy Park Tarapuruhi] Official website
• [https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/publications/plant-lists/plant-lists-by-region/bushy-park-forest-reserve-kai-iwi-bush/ Bushy Park plant list] at NZ Plant Conservation Network
• [https://www.nzbirds.com/birding/bushyparkbirds.html Birds found at Bushy Park] at NZbirds.com
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAzI2Dv1SQk Bushy Park Tarapuruhi - introductory video]
• [https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/2021/this-is-how-it-ends-extinction-documentary/native-birds/ Video segment about Bushy Park - from 6:10]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98we6de2B4Y Bushy Park Tarapuruhi success story: tīeke]

Category:Forests of New Zealand

Category:Wildlife sanctuaries of New Zealand

Category:Nature reserves in New Zealand

Category:Rainforests

Category:Bird sanctuaries

Category:Whanganui District

Category:Protected areas of Manawatū-Whanganui

Category:Forest reserves

Category:Birdwatching sites in New Zealand

Category:Conservation projects in New Zealand

Category:1962 establishments in New Zealand

{{Whanganui District}}

{{Protected areas of New Zealand}}