Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust

This is an article which appeared in the "Weekly News" in June 1963, written by W.A. (Tim) Healy:

Monarchs’ Refuge

  Northland’s coastline contains many beautiful and secluded spots known only to the more adventurous visitors as they are way off the beaten track.

  One such of these scenic gems is Tauranga Bay, some ten miles north of Kaeo, in Whangaroa County. Tauranga Bay has a mile-long gently curving beach of clean untrodden sand backed by tussock-covered sand dunes and flanked at each end with cave-riddled cliffs.

  Out to sea, about three miles distant, is that lonely uninhabited Stephenson’s Island, home of the almost extinct tuatara.

  Our visit was not, however, for the scenery but for a look at a remarkable gathering of Monarch butterflies.

  After feeding throughout the summer as caterpillars on their natural food, the Swan plant, which grows in profusion on this stretch of the coast, they had congregated in countless thousands in a sheltered, steep-sided gully running up from the beach, and containing a stand of native timber.

  As we entered the bush - which in itself has no claim to beauty - we saw the odd butterfly flitting around, but as we progressed we found the air full of them, twisting and turning in the sunlight. Then we saw that, everywhere, the branches of the trees were festooned with settled butterflies, hanging in clusters on the foliage like colourful Chinese lanterns.

  Some of the sleepers were hanging with their wings closed together, in other clusters, the butterflies were opening and closing their wings as if in some ritual exercise, and the colours glowed on the shafts of autumn sunshine that pierced the foliage, making a picture of indescribable beauty.

  For a while we stood watching. Then, suddenly, as if a warning had been given the butterflies took flight in unison. The whirr of their wings could be distinctly heard, and the air was filled with black and orange against the green of the foliage and the blue of the sky.

  Our last treasure was the finding of a solitary caterpillar on a Swan plant at the base of the hill. Most grubs are repulsive looking, but this individualist in its variegated, hooped jacket evoked not repugnance but wonder. Midwinter is now close at hand and here we have this lazy fellow refusing to give in and accept that fact. Soon he will be flitting about around that wooded dale above.

  I have read an article somewhere of similar gathering of wintering Monarch butterflies in California, where they attract many tourists to see them, and consequently they are protected.

  If the Monarchs decide to gather annually in this out of the way spot, no doubt they will attract many visitors. But if this does not become one of their annual winter resorts, Tauranga Bay is still worth a visit.

                     — W A Healy