Case W2
- Kauri Park Conservation
A.H. Reed. The New Story of the Kauri. Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed, 1964.
In 1952, Reed began working on a history of the kauri tree and its usage by humans, with particular focus on the heyday of the kauri timber industry. The first edition, a large quarto of 439 pages, appeared in 1953.
In search of illustrative matter, Reed approached the Warkworth-based photographer Tudor Collins. Reed knew that a large collection of kauri industry images was owned by Collins, who generously supplied hundreds of photographs, making no charge for royalty.
An unexpected success, the book was followed by a second edition, then revised and expanded with further Collins photographs, as The new story of the kauri in 1964.
Letter, W.M. Fraser, Whangarei to A.H. Reed, 28 March 1957 re: naming of kauri park after Reed.
In 1957, W.M. Fraser of the Pre-War I Kauri Bushmen’s Association informed Reed that, as a tribute to The story of the kauri, he intended to suggest that a scenic reserve adjoining the old Reed homestead at Parahaki, be named the A.H. Reed Memorial Kauri Park.
Reed was characteristically reluctant, but Fraser persisted, and the resolution was carried unanimously. In 1958, the Ministry of Lands approved the motion and appointed the Whangarei County Council as administrator. With the consent of his fellow trustees, Reed ensured that the Reed Trust supplied an endowment for the benefit of the park.
Letter, W.M. Fraser, Whangarei to A.H. Reed, 28 March 1957 re: naming of kauri park after Reed.
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Photograph of A.H. Reed and Tudor Collins, signed by both, 1966.
Tudor Washington Collins (1898-1970), known as ‘Kiwi’, was a kauri bushman remembered for his chronicling of the kauri industry by photography. He was also one of A.H. Reed’s best friends in later life. The Reed Archive contains an immense quantity of correspondence from Collins to Reed, often scrawled in characteristic red ink, and including numerous typescripts of kauri-related memoirs. When Collins died in 1970, Reed wrote memorial accounts of his friend for certain publications including the New Zealand Herald.
Photograph of A.H. Reed with a spade at kauri park, 1960s. Photograph by Tudor Collins.
Despite spending most of his life in Dunedin, Reed always considered himself an old Northlander. The Reed Archive contains much extended correspondence between Reed and representatives of the Kauri Bushmen’s Association, who offered voluntary service at the park, alongside Forest & Bird, in collaboration with the Council.
Despite the tyranny of distance, Reed remained a keen and active member of the Kauri Bushmen’s Association, travelling north for reunions whenever his busy schedule allowed.
Photograph of plaque commemorating the old Reed homestead at Parahaki, Northland, 1966. Photograph by Tudor Collins.
Photograph of plaque commemorating the old Reed homestead at Parahaki, Northland, 1966. Photograph by Tudor Collins.
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Photograph of A.H. Reed outside the memorial kauri park, 1960s. Photograph by Tudor Collins.
