Bushy Park (New Zealand)

Bushy Park (also known as Bushy Park Tarapuruhi) is a native forest reserve and bird sanctuary located in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. The reserve is located eight kilometres (5.0 mi) inland from Kai Iwi and has an area of approximately 99 hectares (245 acres), including the Bushy Park Homestead and grounds. The forest has a diverse range of native plant species, with canopy trees including northern rātā, rimu, tawa, and pukatea. In 1962, the forest was gifted to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand by the former owner G. F. Moore, along with the homestead and its surrounds. The reserve is now managed by the Bushy Park Trust, in partnership with Forest & Bird and local iwi Ngā Rauru Kītahi. The forest reserve and homestead were renamed as Bushy Park Tarapuruhi in 2019.

Following installation of a pest-exclusion fence and eradication of rats and possums in 2005, the reserve is managed as a mainland island (or ecological island). The reserve has been judged as being amongst the 25 best ecological restoration projects in Australia and New Zealand. Several native bird species have been re-introduced, including North Island robin, North Island saddleback, stitchbird, whitehead and rifleman. The populations of North Island robin and saddleback in the reserve have increased to the extent that Bushy Park has been used as a source for translocation of birds to other sanctuary areas.

A feature of the reserve is a large northern rātā named Ratanui (big rātā) that is estimated to be 1,000 years old. The reserve is open to the public, and there are tracks giving access through the forest. Educational facilities have been established at the reserve, and around 2,000 school children visit the sanctuary each year.