Kennedy's Bush was the first Summit Road reserve established by Henry Ell in 1906. Ell was a promoter of the Port Hills Walkway and a campaigner for preservation of scenery and protection of native birds.
Henry George (Harry) Ell was raised on the family farm at Halswell near Christchurch. From 1881 to 1884 he served at Parihaka as a volunteer in the Armed Constabulary. He also worked in the printing trade, then as a salesman and surveyor.
