28/08/2026
Carnival Park Scenic Reserve: Restoration Update
We acknowledge that some of you haven't been able to enjoy your usual walks in our beautiful reserve and wanted to explain the changes to the western boundary of Carnival Park, where approximately 330 mature pine and Lawson cypress trees have recently been removed.
Removing these trees is a key step in restoring the area as they no longer provided the wind protection they once did and posed potential safety risks along informal tracks. Clearing them also allows us to tackle invasive weeds like English ivy and stinking iris while starting native replanting. This work is part of the long-term restoration of our DOC-administered Scenic Reserve, guided by a Community Agreement and a seven-year W**d Management Plan.
Following the removal of the trees, the area will naturally experience more wind exposure. It is completely normal for shorter native species near the cleared pines, like māhoe, to show some temporary dieback as the site adapts during this phase. Taller species deeper in the bush, like beech and rimu, are already used to exposure and should be less affected. Several historic trees, including a prominent macrocarpa and Lawson Cypress, have been retained for heritage values and ongoing wind protection.
Clearing the exotics allows us to establish targeted native shelter, let the reserve regenerate and we expect a healthy canopy within about ten years.
Once funding was secured and contractor availability confirmed, things moved very quickly. We are extremely grateful to Horizons Regional Council, DOC, JDM Earthmoving and the neighbouring Fonterra farm team for helping make this work possible, particularly the Fonterra team for accommodating the project during winter and their busy calving season.
The Next Stage
We appreciate everyone in the community who has taken an interest in the current situation at Carnival Park and the restoration project so far. We want to build on that momentum and invite you to help restore this special part of Pahiatua.
We’re organising a community planting working bee soon with around 600 kānuka and mānuka grown by Pahiatua Marae ready to go into the ground. These will provide the initial native shelter, with longer-lived species including mataī, tōtara and rimu to follow as the area establishes.
Whether you can spare a few hours for a single event or want to get involved long-term, we’d love to have you on board. If you’d like to join us in restoring the park for future generations, please get in touch!
Treasure Carnival Park
[email protected]
