• Richard Hursthouse

Nature lover shares the secret gem of Campbells Bay

My Shore Life: Richard Hursthouse

Richard Hursthouse lives in Campbells Bay and has been involved with the Centennial Park Bush Society for 15 years. When he's not busy with conservation work, he works as a GP at Browns Bay Medical Centre. The centre has recently moved into the RSA building and is now called Bays Health, after extensive renovations.

Channel: What do you love most about living in Campbells Bay?

Richard: I love that we have Centennial Park in the heart of Campbells Bay. Our park is an oasis of calm in an otherwise very busy and consumer oriented world where you can walk in the park and completely forget about the city rat race. The park helps clean our air and water and provides a home to hundreds of birds and other wildlife.

CM: How long have you lived here?

RH: We moved into Aberdeen Rd in 1986 and have lived in three houses in the street since!

 

CM: What activities or organisations are you involved with? Why are you passionate about this?

RH: I am involved in many conservation activities. I have been Chair of Centennial Park Bush Society since 2003 and Chair of Forest & Bird North Shore for eight years, plus have been leading the Tuff Crater Restoration Project since 2009. I am also on the board of Pest Free Kaipatiki and Hibiscus & Bays Restoration Network as well as Econet, a group devoted to ramping up IT in conservation.

I've been passionate about the environment for many years. Despite increasing public concern for our land and water, our world is deteriorating and we need everyone to get on board to fix it.

 

CM: What else might you be involved with if you had more time?

RH: I would be tramping and fishing more!

 

CM: Tell us about a place that is a secret gem in Campbells Bay?

RH: The secret gem of Campbells Bay is the Kohekohe track within Centennial Park which meanders through the valley next to a small stream full of native fish. It is always changing and has a surprising range of native plants. People can enjoy a nature trail through this area with pamphlets at the track entry. The trail is also on our website and accessible by smart phone (www.campbellsbayurbansanctuary.org.nz).

 

CM: Do you have a favourite local event that you look forward to each year?

RH: My favourite event each year would be our massive Forest & Bird planting days at Tuff Crater where we have 70 or more people planting 2000 plants followed by a huge morning tea.

 

CM: If you could change one aspect about your suburb what would it be?

RH: I would love to see more children walking to school, perhaps using the Walking School Bus. Research shows it is actually safer walking to school than driving and the more people who walk the less traffic congestion and pollution we will have.

 

CM: Who would you most like to have as a neighbour and why?

RH: I am very happy with our neighbours – they are all interested and involved in caring for the park and we look out for each other.


Issue 95 February 2019