On Wednesday the 20th of March 2019, Ken Osborn, Managing Director for Grandy Lake Forest, signed the letter of intent allowing the walkway project to progress in the forest. This is a great news. A big thank you to Ken and Lindsay Robinson, new Forest Manager for Grandy Lake Forest for allowing the Whangawehi walkway to proceed. We will keep you posted on the next steps
The Mangatupae stream is a short & steep gully system generating a lot of erosion and faecal contamination. Located on Taharoa Trust, the owners (Pat & Sue O’Brien) fenced off the lower reaches in 2016 but the upper catchment was left in the too had basket to take on at the time. In 2019, with the generous support from Hawkes Bay Regional Council and NW Rahui it was decided to retire the entire gully system. The fencer is currently in the process of building a conventional fence. The total area retired is 15 ha and includes a 5 ha bush block. The plantings will be quite different from the riparian plants established along the river. Sue O’Brien has taken a different approach and opted for a multi floral, bee friendly block with plants sustaining live all year long. Manuka, Koromiko and kanuka will be a nursery crop for larger species including Rimu, Matai, Kowhai, Riwa Riwa amongst others. Tree establishment will take place early June 2019.
The WCMG is preparing a community planting day on the 4th of May on one of Taharoa’s wetland and all volunteers are welcome to come and help. Located on the back of Sue O’Brien’s garden, this wetland will be enhanced with the addition of 5000 plants.
A long reach digger was recently brought in to dig a few holes in the wetland in order to create an open water space. This will be important for our local biodiversity but our biggest hope is to attract birds. This wetland has been taken over by a native weed Isolepia that smothers the swamp. This new open water area should give other species the opportunity to grow and thrive again. Open water will also be extremely attrctive to ducks. These wetlands are a eel nursery for the Whangawehi river. We are particularly hoping that the rare bittern will be attracted by this enhancement work.
On Friday the 16th of March, the WCMG gathered at the Mokotaki hall to celebrate winning it’s International Asia/Pacific River prize award. We were privileged to have the company of our founding leader, Kathleen Mato who surprised everyone by turning up from Gisborne. She is very proud of what we have achieved to date. The evening went very well and gave everyone the opportunity to take the time to enjoy each others company, reflect on the work done and celebrate what we have achieved.
Kia ora Whanau,
The conservation work is continuing with more wetlands, streams and bush blocks retired. Enjoy the viewing.
Nic
Kia ora koutou,
The Whangawehi Catchment Management Group is organising a community gathering to celebrate the International Asia Pacific River Award won in October 2018.
When: Friday the 15th of March from 6 pm
Where : Mokotahi hall, Mahia
BYO evening
Bring your family and friends, we are all looking forward to celebrating with you.
No mai haere mai
Nga mihi.
Nic
On Tuesday the 26th of February 2019, Whakarae Henare from Nga Whenua Rahui came to Taharoa to meet with Sue O’Brien and discuss further work.
Whakarae explained that the new grant requires the land retired to be covenanted depending on the status of the land this can be either a Conservation agreement, a kawenata or a Management agreement. Whakarae had a look at the new project happening in the Mangatupae stream with 15 ha in the process of being retired and planted.
Thank you Whakarae for coming to our rohe and spending some time with us. I am sure you will be back soon. Nga mihi nui kia koe Whakarae mo te haere mai me to tautoko. Kei te tumanako matou ki te kite ano ia koe.
Whangawehi Catchment Management Group 