About the Trust

The Hereweka Harbour Cone Trust is a charitable organisation responsible for the management of the Hereweka Harbour Cone property on the Otago Peninsula, Dunedin.

The property covers 328 hectares and occupies a central position on the Peninsula, straddling the main ridgeline between Broad Bay and Portobello. It includes the summits of Harbour Cone and Peggys Hill and spans the catchments of Smiths Creek on the harbour side and Stewarts Creek on the Hoopers Inlet side.

The land was purchased by the Dunedin City Council in January 2008 to protect its landscape, ecological, heritage, and cultural values, and in recognition of its recreational potential. Since 2015, the Trust has managed the property on behalf of the Council.

Management is guided by the Hereweka Harbour Cone Management Plan, which sets out the following vision:

To maintain the working landscape while enhancing the landscape, ecological, recreational, cultural, and heritage values of the Hereweka Harbour Cone property.

The property remains a working farm. Public access is supported across a network of marked tracks and is subject to seasonal restrictions during lambing.

It is a place with a lot going on, ecologically, historically, and culturally and the Trust works to make sure all those values are protected and available for the community to enjoy.

Core Initiatives and Mission

The Trust's work across the property is structured around six areas, as set out in the Management Plan.

Ecological Restoration

The Trust progressively restores indigenous vegetation, with priority given to riparian zones, lowland alluvial landforms, and areas adjacent to existing forest remnants. Active restoration involves fencing to exclude stock from ecologically sensitive areas, pest plant control, and native planting using locally sourced seed stock. Around 1,000 trees are planted per year through the Smiths Creek Catchment Revegetation Project.

Habitat Protection

Several patches of indigenous forest on the property have been assessed as having significant conservation value. Management priorities include protecting these remnants from stock browse and weed invasion and improving ecological connectivity between patches.

Plant and Animal Pest Control

The Trust operates a weed control programme in collaboration with the OPBDG targeting priority species and contributes to the wider Predator Free Dunedin predator control network.

Heritage Stewardship

Forty-two historical sites and structures are recorded on the property under the New Zealand Archaeological Association Site Recording Scheme. The Trust works to protect these in consultation with mana whenua and heritage authorities.

Public Access and Recreation

The property supports public access for walking, mountain biking, and horse riding on designated tracks. Track provision is classified as "Hard" under the Dunedin City Council Track Policy, with easier access areas near the main entry points.

Community Participation

The Trust supports community involvement in planting, pest control, property maintenance, education, and research. Regular working bees are held on Tuesday and Sunday mornings at Smiths Creek. Anyone with an interest in the property is welcome to take part.