What a surprise. You wouldn’t expect to see a reserve in the little town of Manaia, on the north island of New Zealand! 

It’s a little tiny reserve:

Tucked like a little gem behind the golf course. And it’s looked after by the residents of the town. When they go there, they check for weeds and pull them out. So the place is well looked after by everyone.

It’s a lovely place to go to on a Sunday afternoon: 

So peaceful, your soul is recharged. I found it so beautiful that I had to take photos of it. I think it’s a perfect place to paint paintings. Take another closer look at my photos of the place. If you’re an artist too, I’m sure you will agree with me.

Wondering through it:

You first have to park at the golf course entrance parking. Then walk through the golf course to get to it. Even while walking through the golf course, you feel a calming effect coming over you. 

When you enter and  go through the reserve, you first follow a little stream. At one point there are a few upturned logs to sit on like toadstools. We rested there for a little while, to soak in the ambiance of the beauty of Nature surrounding us.

And after your peaceful rest, you follow the path and cross a little bridge. And continue along the winding little path, you come out on top, onto a lawn plateau (still part of the golf course) where there is a little bench to sit on and relax again.

  

After that, you have two interesting little trails you can follow out of the little reserve, and up through the gold course through a different route. 

What the town also offers:

The reserve may not normally be a tourist spot been hidden in a little town, but it was so beautiful and peaceful, that we went there twice while in New Zealand! 

And if you do ever go to the little town of Manaia, the icon symbolic emblem of the town is a huge loaf of bread. You see, all the little outlining towns on the north island have symbolic emblems for their towns welcome entrances. It’s generally something their town is well known for. But I must say Manaia sells the best fresh fish and chips you’ll ever find. 

In Manaia’s centre square (see in map the round circle in the main road) there is a little statue of a brave little dog.  

The story goes that in 2007, a little Jack Russell terrier named George became a hero when he fought a pair of pitbulls (dog breed) that were threatening a group of five children. His attempts to protect the children meant the dogs attacked him, and afterwards he had to be put down. See full story of George the brave little dog at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_(dog) 

So well organized:

And they have a police station and fire brigade, maintained by a few people. They are not always open because there is less crime or fires. There is a phone number to call out the police officer. And if there is a fire, a siren goes off that the whole town can hear it, and already established volunteers run quickly and do their bit to put the fire out. 

That is what New Zealand is like. People are so helpful and friendly. A great place to live!