Overview
In December 2017, Research Scientist Heidi Meudt teamed up with several others to explore two North Island localities: Kaweka Forest Park, and Reporoa Bog.
First, Heidi and Jessie Prebble, Plant Systematist from Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, headed to the Kaweka Forest Park. To access the second locality, Reporoa Bog, which is located on private land, Heidi, Jessie and Kerry Ford (another Plant Systematist from Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research) consulted with Mangaohane Station and Awarua Aorangi Trust. Both landowners generously allowed access to the site, and Adell Gilchrist from Awarua Aorangi Trust accompanied the team during their field work there.
Three native Myosotis species were located. A herbarium specimen and leaf samples for DNA research were collected for each species to help address key research questions as part of Te Papa's Myosotis research program.
Other indigenous and naturalised species were also collected for Kerry's and Jessie's research projects, as well as for Te Papa's general collection development to improve our knowledge of what grows where in New Zealand.
Read more about this trip on the Te Papa blog:
Bush-bashing and bogs: Botanical hunting in the North Island
Most of the collection records and photos of plants Heidi collected on this trip can be seen here (scroll down to "Related Objects" below).