History notes by Janet Watkins

The valley in which Le Roys Bush lies was known by the early Maori as Te Uruwao (Te Uruao). In early days the Maori people followed an old trail down the ridge where Wernham Place now runs, to the Shore line of the mangrove estuary, Wai-manawa, and out to Little Shoal Bay for the pipi and other fish. This trail was known as the "Maori Pipi Walk" a trail and name which the Scenic Board would like to see reinstated, again giving access from Wernham Place to Little Shoal Bay. Originally the Mangrove trees extended upstream of Valley Road on either side of a navigable water way.

Mr Le Roy bought much of the valley in 1918 and in subsequent years acquired adjoining properties often because of a particularly fine specimen tree or grove. Le Roy was an enthusiastic collector of plants and a

keen gardener and over the years bought or acquired many plants which he established in the valley. He had a brother who lived on the Great Barrier from whence many plants came. In the valley he established lily ponds and for a time stocked them with goldfish. Floods were always a problem however, and to control the stream he installed great culverts to pipe the water past the lily ponds. To give access to the water fall he formed paths.

He planted many indigenous species collected from other areas of New Zealand enriching the flora of the valley and establishing several species found

in no other North Shore Reserves.

On Mr Le Roy's death in 1947 the Forest & Bird Society opened a subscription list and purchased as Scenic Reserve the estate with the help of North Shore local bodies, the Auckland City Council and various Government and private organisations. On 31 July 1955 the Scenic Board was appointed to control Le Roy's Bush and other similar areas on the Shore. In 1962 Lot 13 to the south of Wernham place was set aside as Scenic Reserve and became a part of Le Roy's Bush although it is argued by local residents that this cannot be so as it was never a part of the Le Roy Estate!!

The latest addition to "Le Roys Bush" is an area to the west of Valley Road kindly given by the Northcote Borough Council and also misnamed some argue.

A shell bank barred much of the entrance to this Estuary where the road now runs.