On the 11th of June, Fiona Clark from MPI visited the catchment to be more familiar with the restoration project and the walkway. Fiona was interested in better understanding where the walkway was, its connection with the DOC bush loop and the role it will play for the District.
Thank you Fiona for spending the time to come and visit us, we are looking forward to working with you more closely.
Between Friday 16th- May until 19th May Nic Caviale had the privilege of flying to Rarotonga to meet with an environmental community group based in Muri. Through the IRF River Foundation-winners are given the financial opportunity to develop a relationship with a foreign country. The objective is to share lessons and skills learnt and then mutually benefit from this expertise which can create an opportunity such as restoring a river.
These partnerships are an exchange of experience and skills based around personal relationships. IRF assists by facilitating these partnerships and acting as a catalyst to help partners with seed funding and match networking opportunities.
The Muir community is based in the Takitimu district and is closely connected to the many waka who gathered in the Bay before starting the long journey towards Aotearoa (New Zealand). The strong Whakapapa connection found between the Muri community and our Wairoa district is extremely valuable and something we want to build on.
This part of the island is going through rapid development due to the expansion of tourism. This rapport expansion is happening without any major infrastructure upgrade which heavily affects the environment in general. During my visit I saw how the wetlands at the foot of the hills were disappearing and filled in to build new hotel and shops.
These wetlands offer a buffer from heavy rain falls which not only delay the flow of water but also filter the water before it reaches the beautiful Muir Lagoon. Climate change is also affecting the island in general by creating more frequent high rainfall events. The rise o sea level is also a challenge for the Cook Islands in general . The challenge lays in finding the balance between the development of tourism, the upgrade of public infrastructure and the protection of water quality both in the fresh water and the lagoon. The Muri restoration group has always been proactive and we are looking forward to the possibility of developing this relationship further in the future.
On Tuesday the 7th of May, Duncan Harrisson and Phil Hancook from Ministry of Primary Industries visited members of the Whangawehi project to talk about the Billion Tree Project.
The scheme offers two avenues-one of which is the partnership pathway. This pathway is designed to increase planting by promoting innovation, research and workforce initiatives with the intention of scaling up native regeneration projects. Duncan and Phil visited several areas of interest and are now fully aware of the scale of our operation. A big thank you to Duncan and Phil for taking the time to meet with our landowners.
On Saturday the 4 th of May 2019, the Whangawehi Catchment Management Group hosted a community planting day out on Taharoa Trust-a family farm owned by Pat and Sue O’Brien.
The day went extremely well with an overwhelming attendance of more than 50 participants ranging from the very young to the more mature folk! Gumboots were essential on the day due to the bulk of the planting been based around the periphery of a wetland. The highlight of the day was listening to the sweet violin playing by local violinist John De La Haye who set the tone with some invigorating Irish classics. The variety of delicious cakes offered by local ladies at lunch time also helped keep the momentum going.
A big thank you to all the participants-especially those who came as far as Havelock North and Gisborne to give us a hand. The group would also like to thank all our funders with a special pat on the back to the Wai Maori Trust who have funded a large part of this work alongside Nga Whenua Rahui.
Thanks to you all for supporting our community initiative. We look forward to seeing you again in the future.
On the 30th of April 2019, Nick Beeby, General Manager – Market Development for Beef and Lamb came to visit the Whangawehi project. Nick presented the newly launched Taste Pure Nature brand. A very constructive discussion took place afterwards as the Whangawehi farmers are looking at branding their environmental work to leverage a premium. It is the early days but all farmers agreed on the need to have a strong Quality Assurance programme to underpin any brand. Nick provided advice and feedback on a number of farm related topics. A big thank you to Beef and Lamb and Nick in particular for making himself available to help our community.
On the 25th of March, Te Mahia School was preparing for the School Gala and the students decided to make clay products, such as fridge magnets and small pots, that would reflect the nature of Mahia. Jenny helped them to, create, using correct techniques, successful saleable items. The Room 2 items were colored and subsequently bisque fired in the kiln in town.
We also checked out how our Predator Free plan was progressing and the Landscape Survey results to date. Well done Te Mahia school.
Hi all,
Kirsty and Josh, new Managers on Taharoa Trust, welcome the wider community for a day out planting. The trees have arrived today and are looking exceptionally healthy and ready to be put in the ground. As usual, the Whangawehi team will dig the holes and lay the trees so that you just have to turn up and plant. There is a good variety of natives that will enhance the biodiversity of our catchment. A barbecue will be provided on site.
Please check for updates as the event may be postponed to the following Saturday if the weather is not suitable.
The site is at walking distance from the closer car park.
Site address : 1637 Mahia East Coast Road-
Date : Saturday 4th of May- 8.30 start, just turn up when you can. See you there.
The WCMG is working with the Sustainable Business Network to fundraise money for our restoration project on Taharoa Trust. Our fundraising goal is $60,000 dollars that will go towards trees, tree establishment and tree maintenance (3 years after establishment).
If you want to make a difference and be part of the solution for cleaner waters and more sustainable landscapes please donate : https://millionmetres.org.nz/open-project/te-mangatupae-stream-whangawehi
44% of New Zealand’s monitored lakes are so polluted virtually nothing can survive in them.
62% of New Zealand’s lowland rivers are so polluted with pathogens we can’t safely swim in them.
74% of New Zealand’s freshwater fish species are now classified as ‘threatened’.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, COME AND JOIN US
Beef and Lamb is supporting a farmers lead initiative whose focus is around branding and leveraging funding from the environmental work done in the Whangawehi catchment. A first meeting was held on Okepuha station. Beef and Lamb funds a coordinator whose role will be to assist farmers in developing a vision and a set of goals. He will also bring in experts to inspire and guide. Peter Andrew from AgFirst in Gisborne will be facilitating these meetings with support from Nic Caviale WCMG project coordinator and Beef and Lamb New Zealand.
Pongaroa Station is undertaking a large scale restoration programme. This winter, 15 ha of land will be retired including two significant tributaries to the Whangawehi stream. These two retirement projects include native bush blocks that will be protected under a Queen Elizabeth covenant. The Top Wainui bush block will also be fenced off and protected. The level of protection around the Ormond bush block (by the woolshed) owned by George Ormond and Pongaroa Station will be improved with a deer fence being added on top of the existing fence. More work is planned in the Wai nui catchment so watch this space.
Whangawehi Catchment Management Group 