Author(s): Mike Wilcox

NZ Non-fiction

A 350-page book about the diverse plant life in Auckland’s Cornwall Park and Maungakiekie/One

Tree Hill Domain has just been published (Feb 2023) by the Auckland Botanical Society. Mike Wilcox,

one of the six authors, says that 1400 different kinds of plants (and fungi and lichens as well) have

been recorded there, making it an urban oasis of protected nature. “We have explored these

wonderful adjoining parks, recording the plants there in all seasons. The park trees, both native and

introduced, tend to take centre stage, but there are numerous other habitats, such as stone walls,

grasslands, rock outcrops, and ornamental gardens that contribute greatly to the overall

biodiversity”. Mike says the aim of the book is to give the many visitors to the parks a guide through

pictures and text to the botanical wonders there, together with information about how birds depend

on and benefit the plants, a good example being the feeding habits of tūī and New Zealand pigeon.