Visiting Josie Jay Martin's The Giants House was undeniably a moving experience. A much welcome escapism into another world full of colour and optimism.
Next stop was equally inspiring but very different; Hinewai Reserve. Having a cup of tea with local conservation hero and fellow tree hugger Hugh Wilson was quite lovely.
Exploring the beautiful mosaic of native forest, listening to bellbirds, tui, pīwakawaka and kererū along the way.
Below Hinewai's visitors centre and hut. The Maurice White Native Forest Trust have done a grand job planting native shrubs that serve as nurse canopies for regenerating native forest, pushing out extensive areas of gorse, broom and bracken.
