Kanuka Reserve 42

This 5.3 hectare area of kanuka forest is located on the northern edge of the Wairau Plain on public land administered by the Marlborough District Council. The land was previously part of a lease, but since 2003 has been removed from the leased area and managed for conservation values. It is one of the only remnant native treelands in the Blenheim ecological district. Drought and ongoing grazing by stock left the site in poor ecological condition but subsequent weed control and restoration planting has taken place.

The area is fenced into three separate blocks and, as of 2009, two of these areas have been underplanted with 3,800 plants, including species such as kowhai, kanuka, cabbage tree, akeake, narrow leaved lacebark, lancewood and totara. Regular dry periods and rabbits have been an ongoing challenge but this site is now in better ecological condition and is well placed to survive into the future.