Looking south near Whitemans Valley toward upper Moores Valley.
Upper Moores Valley was once covered by a thriving old-growth forest. Between 1906 and the 1910s, the trees were cleared, turning the area into pastureland. The land became known as Cairnbrook Farm, named after David Cairns (1863–1942), a farmer in Wainuiomata from 1904 to 1909. One of his daughters married into the Wood family. Over time, gorse gradually overtook the pasture, and despite at least one attempt to clear it, the gorse has returned with a vengeance as of 2024. The land is now owned by a housing development company, believed to be landbanking the area while awaiting legal approval for higher-density housing development than is currently allowed.
