Murphys Bush Reserve — Attraction in Howick

Stancombe Cottage - Moved to the Murphys Bush Scenic Reserve and Renovated for Community Use Just learnt from Botany and Ormiston Times that this beautiful cottage at the corner outside the Murphy Scenic Reserve is the Stancombe Cottage (previously Baverstock Cottage, name used until 2011), which is one of the last remaining remnants of colonial heritage in the Flat Bush area. It originally was situated at the now Buddhist temple and was moved to the new location above for restoration for community use. This old historic settlers' cottage was first built in the 1870s and after several owners, was purchased with the land by Englishman John Stancombe date back to 1885 for GBP22 10s. It was initially a small, three-roomed dwelling and was later added to in stages, eventually having six rooms, a small veranda and lean-to additions. The Stancombe family owned it until the 1940s. The Stancombe Cottage, St Paul's Anglican Church on Chapel Road, and the cemetery of the old Methodlist Church where the Stancombes are buried, are historic places which are the lasting remnants of the colonial community. The Howick Local Board and a group of local community members declared the cottage open in the 2nd week of March 2016. (Information extracted from the "Botany and Ormiston Times", Thursday,...

Would not recommend to come here Me n my partner decided to go here 8:30AM on the bush track came to the big grass area walked across it and went along as we came to a bend came up to a box of alcohol n more rubbish. Got this weird feeling walked further along stopped for a rest in the distance could hear this shouting I could hear rustling in the bushes around me leaves being rustled around picked up pace cause we wanted to leave as we were exiting the track stumbled upon this one older male said good morning to him trying to be friendly just stared and kept walking into where we came from we left immediately don’t know what it was I Would not recommend coming here scary...

This is an outstanding remnant of native forest in the middle of the city. Yes, it is ringed by busy roads and dense housing development, and directly in the flight path of landing planes for the AKL. But it is full of large mature kahikatea, rimu, totara and puriri. Its understory is lush with Nikau, tree ferns and countless climbing ferns and palms. You will also see rewarewa, matai and taraire. We saw many native birds such as kereru, tui and fantails. I wish the city would upkeep the tracks and clean up the trash more consistently because this is a jewel for future...