Title: Kauri, Oil on canvas, diptych.
I painted this in response to Kauri tree die-back which is a disease affecting our Kauri trees throughout the Waitakere Ranges on the West Coast of Auckland. As yet there is no known cure and management of tracks in and around Kauri trees is on-going by Auckland City Council. This my homage to our "Kings of the Forest".

This is a very easy achievable walk into a beautiful Nikau grove next to the Marawhara stream. A hidden gem.

This beach is quite remote and is on the west coast of Auckland. The Whatipu area is a scientific reserve. There are many rare and endangered birds, such as dotterels that can be seen nesting in the sand dunes, next to several lakes which are full of unique wetland plants. To the south is the Manukau Harbour and the north Karekare beach.
Cutter Rock is a popular vantage point for fishing during the summer months. The day we visited this area it was simply stunning with very few people and an absolutely pristine natural environment.
 

This boat has been fishing most likely for tuna on Auckland's West Coast.

We were welcomed to the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society recently.
We wanted to support the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society as they are a conservation watchdog for the Waitakere Ranges and the West Coast.
The Society’s fundamental goals are:

• To protect Auckland’s western forest and coastline from degradation.
• To enhance environmental values and restore disturbed areas for ecological health.
• To see the region managed in a unified and consistent philosophy of protection.
• To provide an unequivocal voice speaking for this area of exceptional natural heritage.

We support initiatives that protect this unique area and look forward to working with the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society as volunteers.

The Winter Garden Complex is stunning at this time of year particularly the Victorian style tropical glasshouses which show off lush tropical and heat-loving plants as well as temperate plants to match the seasons.
Rare and spectacular plants with changing displays can be seen in the two large glasshouses that face out onto an ornate courtyard and a sunken pond.
There is also an amazing diverse collection of New Zealand ferns growing in a dis-used sunken quarry site next to the glass houses. If you are lucky you might see our native bird the Tūī flying amongst the ferns above.
We will be including a visit to the Auckland Domain and Winter Gardens as part of our Mountain to Sea City Short Tour this summer.

Anawhata is a beach on the coast of New Zealand, west of Auckland.
It is one of the least used beaches in the area because there is a long and unsealed road to reach it, and a steep track from there down to the beach.
But once you are there, you will see that the scenery is absolutely stunning.
The lagoon is a great place for a refreshing swim.