Kepa Bush Reserve
Kepa Bush Reserve is an Ecological Reserve in Eastern Auckland in New Zealand. It is situated near the smaller St John's Bush and is also known as the Pourewa Valley.
History
The reserve honours the memory of Te Keepa Te Rangihiwinui, a Māori military commander and ally of the government forces during the New Zealand Wars. He is also known as Te Keepa, Major Keepa or Major Kemp. During the land wars of the 1860s he fought for government forces against Te Kooti and Titokowaru. Besides that, Kepa Bush was used by Maori pre-colonisation as a place to find food and make weapons. It was probably a strategic location to take as it had a view out into the Orakei Basin.[1]
Flora and fauna
The flora in Kepa Bush is diverse and the most common plants and trees include Totara, Rimu, Kanuka, and Manuka.[2] Fauna is very common, with Tui, Pigeon, Grey warbler, Silvereye and Morepork being the most common. Tomtit and Kaka are occasional.