The restoration project on Okepuha Station is well underway. Last Friday, the digger operator was blading several fence lines and installing a few culverts. The fencing gear is already on site and the spraying completed. We just need some good weather to allow the fencer to get started.
Well done to all the contractors for doing their best to keep the project on track.
Hi all,
Our April 2017 Newsletter has arrived, enjoying the reading.
On the 10 th of April, Whangawehi sponsors gathered at Tuahuru Marae to celebrate the work done along the Whangawehi stream. After 4 years of work, the group wanted to thank the different organisations involved and show them the fruit of their investments.
Rex Graham, new Chairman of the Hawkes Bay regional Council was extremely supportive and impressed by the work done and saw a template that could be transferred to other groups. Mo Rongo, Chairman of the Rongoamaiwahine Trust presented with a lot of passion Iwi’s aspirations in the post Treaty Settlement phase.
All our visitors were impressed and realised how committed the people of Mahia are in terms of restoring their environment.
Thank you all for your contribution during the day, we hope to see you again soon.
On the 30th of March, Ian Tarei and Morgan Cox came to the Whangawehi meeting to talk about the Omataroa Kiwi Project based in Whakatane. Ian Tarei shared his story and key lessons learnt from his experience with the project.
The Whangawehi Catchment would be suitable for a Kiwi restoration programme because of its restored habitats and its pest control effort.
Ian and Morgan have sown a seed and gave quite a few tips on how their project became sustainable over time.
Thank you to both of them for their time and expertise.
Thank you all for the support you have offered to our walkway project. We will let you know in the next few weeks the outcome of our effort.
Oha Manuel delivered a great presentation to a very interested audience for the Wairoa Women’s RSA monthly meeting. It is great to see people from all ages interested and wanting to partake to the project. Well done Oha.
The monthly water sampling carried out every month at the bottom end of the catchment (site name Mamangu) has arrived. It is rewarding to see that E Coli levels are low. For further information on our water monitoring programme please go to the water monitoring tab.
Kia ora koutou,
As you all know, the WCM group has been working collaboratively with Marae, Landowners and agencies to protect and enhance the water quality of the Whangawehi stream for 4 years. This has resulted in a number of positive social and environmental outcomes. The group established 135 000 native trees over the past 3 winters and retired 42 ha of riparian margins and 5 ha of native forest. Other milestones include the construction of a shelter with some public facilities.
The WCMG would like to share the benefits of the work done with all New Zealanders via the development of a formalised walkway. The group has been working with the New Zealand Access Commission to progress further the vision but we need a strong community support to carry it out successfully.
Could you please send me a letter or an email of support that I could use during my discussions with landowners, agencies and potential sponsors in order to leverage further support.
Thank you very much for your help.
Nga mihi nui kia koutou
Nic Caviale Delzescaux : caviale@hbrc.govt.nz
On the 26th of January, the Whangawehi Committee gathered along the river to attend its first meeting in the newly built whare. This shelter built along the proposed walkway will allow the community to reconnect with the river and its native forest. This building was made possible thanks to the support of Carters Wairoa, land owners Pat O’Brien and DOC.
Thank you all for your support.
The Whangawehi Mountain Bike ride was a great opportunity for the Whangawehi community to access the conservation area and promote the work done. The ride wasn’t a race but some participants were extremely fast !
Placing Time
1st Peter Hancock 1 hour. 6 minutes
2nd Marcus Koll 1 hour. 9 minutes
3rd Connor Mcilroy 1 hour. 15 minutes
Thank you all for supporting the event.
Whangawehi Catchment Management Group 