Fun family day launching Project Ruru

We aim for visitors to know more about ruru before they leave the park. This opening weekend of Project Ruru highlights their habits and habitat. With activities, guest speakers, and the launch of ‘Finding Where the Ruru Rest’ which will become part of another adventure within the park. The project launches on 9th/10th July with activities planned to follow through all of the July school holidays.The Waitakaruru Stream flows through the park; 15 artists have created their version of a ruru. Ruru celebration starts this weekend!

The park is working with Wingspan to draw attention to our native owl (ruru/morepork). This bird is not on the brink of extinction but is threatened by predators. In forested areas and native bush, you can hear their distinct call at night. Most nights we hear them here in the park and occasionally see them perched on a tree limb during the day time to the delight of our visitors. The park is located along the Waitakaruru Stream (Waitakaruru is Maori for owl by the water) so Ruru hold a special place in our hearts.

Wingspan has a pattern for cutting out nesting boxes. Wintec students are currently making 20 of these boxes with plywood donated by Mitre10 Cambridge. These boxes will be donated to places with suitable trees so they can be installed and provide safer nesting places for ruru throughout the Waikato.