Graham Douglas and Nic Caviale Delzescaux pegged the outline of a new fence to be built on Homestead Farm as part of the Whangawehi restoration programme. Homestead Farm, owned by Grandy Lake Forest, was one of the first landowners to sign the group’s Memorandum of Understanding. Last winter, the Company completed its first riparian fencing and planting project in partnership with Pat and Sue O’Brien (Taharoa Trust). Both landowners retired 10 ha of their land and established 36 000 native trees with support from volunteers.

This new fence will be 1.5 km long on both sides of the river (3 km in total) and will allow the retirement of 10 ha of riparian margins. This is a two year project that will require 36 000 native trees. Once completed, 7 km of river will have been fenced off and planted. A big thank you to Grandy Lake Forest and adjoining landowners for their support.

Arthur Bowen has been presented a Prime Ministers Excellence Award, celebrating outstanding delivery of education at a secondary school level to Gisborne Boys High School.  The Board of Trustees presented Arthur with this award for the contribution he makes to this HIgh School.    Arthur is also heavily involved with the Matauranga Maori School programme at Te Mahia primary school.  Congratulations for this well deserved award.  Your hard work and dedication to your local community has not gone unnoticed.

Arthur Bowen, Cultural Health Index Co-ordinator completed his last water monitoring session for the year.  Algae growth levels in the river are steadily decreasing probably due to the lower than average water temperatures.  Large numbers of both whitebait and Red Fin Bully were observed in the forest area in shallow water.  With the approach of summer the water flow is steadily decreasing which will increase water temperature and reduce the life supporting capacity of the stream.  With the native trees planted on the stream banks we hope to create a shading effect that will lower water temperature and increase life supporting capabilities of the stream.  Tissue sample analysis undertaken last month on Whetiko and Cockels for heavy metal and hydro-carbons showed below guidelines levels.   Recently, E. coli levels were above recreational guidelines after the rain event of November and clearly indicates that we still have some work ahead of us.  On a positive note E. coli levels have been below recreational levels since January 2015 (except for after this rain event) so their is hope that once the restoration programme is completed we might significantly improve water quality in general.