Mr Keith I'Anson, a Te Puna farmer and former council member, had a vision. He was concerned that since early pioneering days, axes followed by chainsaws had never stopped in New Zealand and believed people today were interested in preserving nature. He purchased land in the late 1970's from the Armstrong family and in 1988 gifted 8.6 hectares of his Loop Road property as a native reserve to the Queen Elizabeth 11 National Trust with management vested in the Tauranga County Council.                                                  Photo BOPT 12 Sept 1988

By 1988, three years of devlopment saw an artificial lake created in an area of the valley floor by damming the Waikaraka Stream.
School children and Forest and Bird Society members, assisted by the public and periodic detainees planted native lowland trees and bush around the lake and along the walking tracks - an area for public education and enjoyment. Local residents watched the transition from pasture to bush setting and a citation in recognition of his contribution, was presented to Mr I'Anson in 1989.                                                                         Photo BOPT 10 Oct 1989

August 2004 - scene from the main access, Loop Road entry to the I'Anson Bush Reserve. Bus travellers break their journey and lunch in the spring sunshine beside Lake Taki, named after Mr I'Anson's wife.