This book, published by Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves (FOTBR) was launched on Tuesday evening 18 October 2022 in the Tawa Community Centre, with over 70 people present. Gary Beecroft, President of FOTBR chaired the evening. Following refreshments, Andy Foster (Patron of FOTBR) spoke on the extensive restoration of native flora and fauna in the wider Wellington region in recent years, and how Tawa’s Redwood Bush has also shown significant development and recovery.
Author, Gil Roper shared his motivation in writing the book that stemmed from the time of the Redwood subdivision when in the 1970s, incursions were being made into the native bush for housing development. Many Tawa residents objected to the destruction of the pristine native bush. Subsequently, the Tawa Borough Council secured a loan from Treasury to purchase the area as a reserve.
Recollections by residents of changes in Redwood Bush. over time are portrayed in the book, and with careful pest control and maintenance, this has resulted in the resurgence of the native flora and fauna. Photographic details of the trees and birds are given, as well as the lizards, lichens and fungi present. There is also information on the new signed botanical walk that has just been installed.
As a non-profit organisation, FOTBR seeks to defray the cost of printing the books through the sales and 100 copies have already been sold. People wishing to purchase a copy can obtain them from ‘Tawa Books & Post’ for $30 cash per copy. FOTBR acknowledges with appreciation, this valuable service to the Tawa community by ‘Tawa Books & Post’.
This new publication is sponsored by the Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves (FOTBR).
Andy Foster, Gil Roper and Greg O’Connor. 
Some of the people who assisted in the production of the book.
See more of Gil’s Books on Tawa Reserves here
Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves 