Trip to Aorangi - Awarua

Big thanks to the Aorangi Awarua Trust for supporting this mahi, and especially to Tama, Krystal & Charlie who showed us around their spectacular maunga in te rohepotae o Mokai-Patea. Kia ora Stephen for bringing it together

We took heaps of photos - these are just a few to give you an idea of how choice it was doing bush research. Will upload a selection of more informative photos from the fungi survey in a separate post

Approaching the dropoff zone near the top of Aorangi maunga

The northen cliffs of Aorangi - dropoff zone is to the right of the big rock

On our way up over the summit to begin 1st day of the fungi survey

Stephen & Krystal

View toward Ruapehu from the top of Aorangi

Rock formation on the southern side of the maunga

Krystal, Tama & Charlie our Tangata Whenua guides + Stephen wearing his IRL potae

Ohutu Hut

For the townies

Relaxing after the 2nd day of surveying for fungi

Processing for identification purposes one of more than 50 types of fungi

The Trust is installing a large number of stoat traps as part of its environmental programme

Kia ora Charlie for the fresh venison

Tama the kaitiaki sharing his korero while we wait for the chopper to pick us up

Packing our stuff into the chopper

Back out to Taihape

Trip to Pirongia maunga

Looking out to Pirongia maunga from the Mamaku

A brief photo essay sampling various shots taken to identify types of forest fungi on a landblock bordering the slopes of Pirongia maunga. It was such a perfect day that we just kept climbing to check the awesome views from the top

A local korero gives Pirongia maunga as the place where Tuhoe-potiki met his end after falling off the side of one of the many precipices found in this rugged bush country

Some types of harore appear to glow in the dark

A large specimen of the Taringa type (aka Ganodermataceae family) in beautiful condition

Approaching te puke ko Wharauroa

Bright blue globular fungi look like eggs that have fallen from their nest

Large puff ball fungi (Lycoperdaceae family) in state of decay near the summit

Many types of fungi bring vibrant colour to the forest

Note curving of the stalks

A glimpse of Kakepuku through the trees