Whangawehi Finalist at the Green Ribbon Award

“The Green Ribbon Awards recognise the recognise outstanding contributions by individuals, communities and organisations to protect and manage New Zealand’s environment”.

The WCMG has been selected as a finalist to the most prestigious environmental awards in the country, it is a privilege and a significant recognition for our landowners, community and Marae. It is the 4th time in a row that the group competes but this year, the WCMG was able to demonstrate for the first time via HBRC input that the work done was improving significantly water quality. This is unique in Hawkes Bay and we hope that the hard work achieved by all our volunteers will be recognised and awarded by a winner prize in the “caring for our water” category.

Well done to you all.

We will keep you posted.

 

Successful applications for Whangawehi

The group is privileged to be the recipient of two funds cumulating a total amount of  $130 K inclusive of GST. These grants will be used to continue our restoration project including water testing, riparian planting and bush fencing on Taharoa Trust.

A big thank you to our sponsors for their continued support.

Workshop on financial sustainability

We have achieved a lot in the past five years, through the support of landowners, Marae, school, community and public agencies. We now need to look forward to identify our next set of goals, and both preserve and diversity the funding sources which will enable us to achieve those goals.

Two facilitators, Gerard Quinn and Will Allen, ran a very encouraging workshop at Kaiuku Marae and helped the group look at avenues for longer-term funding sustainability.

It was fascinating to be part of the outcome harvesting and headlines exercises and compare the data with the one collected 2 years ago.

A big thank you to you all for your input, to HBRC for funding this really important workshop and to the Kaiuku Marae for welcoming us so well.

 

 

 

 

 

Rod Dickson and his team visit Whangawehi

IMG_3933 2010IMG_39312010IMG_12572017

 

It has been a while since Rod and his team came to have a look at the Whangawehi pest control work. It was a pleasure to have them back to have a look at the traps and give us some invaluable advice. Hans Rook, wetland expert, had a look at the wetland work done in January in order to raise water levels and create more open water. Rooky is confident that the habitat is improving and should attract a range of wetland birds including the rare Matuku or Bittern.

Thank you all for your support.

 

 

Water monitoring update

On the 8th of may, HBRC undertook a fish monitoring survey on the Whangawehi on the Taharoa Trust, just behind the shelter. Water was a bit high and coloured but the survey should give a good idea of population health in a stock free environment (fenced off in 2014). We are all waiting for a report but Arthur noticed a high number in small eels with an increasing number of short fin eels. An uncommon bully was found also.

The latest water monitoring at Mamangu is available : April2017

Okepuha Station update

 

Since my last field visit, a lot of work has been done. As you will on the photos, the earth work is nearly completed, the fencing work has started and the site for the community planting week end is just about ready. We just need a little bit of sun to keep going the way we are.

 

 

Pongaroa Station update

The Whangawehi cathment is changing, yesterday, I was riding my bike along the river  and was really impressed by the size of the trees…they are certainly growing extremely well. A photo tells a thousand words so enjoy the viewing. For those involved in the planting around the Mamangu site, you should be proud of your effort… a forest is quietly growing.