Dingle Dell (St Heliers)

Dingle Dell is a nature reserve in the suburb of St Heliers in Auckland, New Zealand. It consists of 6.48 hectares of native bush and a small grass field. The walk contains stairs and may not be suitable for pushchairs. Dogs are permitted off-leash. Dingle Dell has long been overlooked as a nature reserve, named by the New Zealand Herald in the 1950s the "Cinderella of Auckland's Parks."

Naming

Dingle Dell was originally part of the larger area first named in the 1300s as Te Pane o Horoiwi, the Head of Horoiwi (of Tainui waka). After Pākehā settlement the section that would become Dingle Dell was called the "bush reserve" by St Heliers residents. In 1925 a local resident Mr Todd Smith wrote to ''The Tamaki Recorder'' requesting a change to a more distinctive name. The name was changed to Dingle's Bush, and then Dingle Dell in the 1930s. Dingle Dell is a reference by a local resident to Charles Dickens' "Dingley Dell" in ''The Pickwick Papers.''

History

Pre-European History

The last traditional occupiers of Dingle Dell and the wider St Heliers/Kohimarama area before European settlement were Ngāti Pāoa, who had been gifted the land by Ngāti Whātua in the late 1700s.

European Settlement

Dingle Dell was purchased from Ngāti Paoa in 1841 as part of the Kohimarama block.
The Society appealed to the Mayor of Auckland John Allum for funding, and was involved in the planting and development of the reserve which was at that time still in poor and unsafe condition.

Development into a Reserve

In 1904 the Tamaki West Road Board took over the area from the New Zealand and Rive Plate Land Mortgage Company. The reserve was originally a raupō swamp, but in 1928 Auckland City Council took over the area and began the transformation into the reserve it is today.

In 1928 a women's progress league was formed in St Heliers, which collected money and hosted working bees to create the first path down Dingle Road.

In the 1930s, men on labour relief schemes spurred by the Great Depression built Fern Glen Road. They filled the swamp and formed about 20 paths. The Director of Plant Reserves Mr T.G. Aldridge and St Heliers resident Mr J.W. Kealy lead the planting of native ferns and trees, including nikau palms.

In 1950 the St Heliers Beautifying Society helped to transform the reserve into a "wilderness park," closely resembling the reserve as it is today. The reserve at the time lacked native trees and had sparse growth, with only one kauri. The Society appealed to the Mayor of Auckland John Allum for funding, and was involved in the planting and development of the reserve.

In 1954, 100 trees were planted for the 50th anniversary of the Road Board taking over the Reserve. As of June 1955 the reserve had 72 kauri trees, 36 rimu trees, and 20 varieties of native trees. In this year 100 nikau trees were planted. The St Heliers Beautifying Society added three seats by the Fern Glen Road entrance to the reserve.

Natural environment

Walking Paths

The reserve features a number of all-weather walking paths on gravel, tracks, and stairs in the bush.

Notable species

The diversity of native bush in Dingle Dell has allowed for the growth and habitation of many native species not often found in urban areas. The Auckland Botanical Society has led excursions to Dingle Dell, the first being in 1939.

Kauri

Up to a hundred kauri trees can be found in Dingle Dell. Dingle Dell is possibly infected by kauri dieback. Fences and signs have been placed to warn visitors about the risk of kauri dieback and to keep visitors on the paths.

Memorials and Buildings

King George VI Memorial

The memorial seat and tablet were unveiled in July 1955. The stone tablet was presented by Auckland mason S.G. Parkinson, and was refurbished in 2017 by the Ōrākei Local Board.

A kauri grove of 70 saplings was planted in memory of King George VI.

Winifred Huggins Memorial Seat

The Winifred Huggins Memorial Seat is dedicated to Winifred Huggins. Prime Minister Sir Robert Muldoon dedicated the seat on 18 March 184. The Mayor of Auckland Dame Catherine Tizard and 100 other guests attended. Huggins was not able to attend due to ill health.

Huggins founded the St Heliers Beautifying Society and Tree Society. She received the British Empire Medal for her tree planting work. She was a key figure in the development of Dingle Dell Reserve, and the Auckland City Council appointed her an honorary ranger.

Dingle Dell Public Toilets

The Dingle Dell Public toilets can be found by Dingle Road.

Gallery

File:Dingle Dell grassy field.jpg, Dingle Dell Field
File:Dingle Dell path and field.jpg, Dingle Dell path and field
File:Bridge Dingle Dell.jpg, Bridge at Dingle Road entrance
File:Dingle Dell Walk.jpg, Dingle Dell Walk
File:Kawakawa Dingle Dell.jpg, Kawakawa plant

References

{{Ōrākei Local Board Area

1928 establishments in New Zealand
Nature reserves in New Zealand
Parks in Auckland
Protected areas of the Auckland Region
Ōrākei Local Board Area
Urban forests in New Zealand