Category Archives: Conservation- Native bird specie- Indigenous project-Habitat restoration- Pest control

Water monitoring run

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On Thursday the 3d, Arthur Bowen carried out a water monitoring run and observed a lot of changes along the river. The most encouraging observation was a school of 200 white baits swimming in the stream up in the forest. White baits were observed in the Mangatupae stream as well…the project is working! The river banks are also starting to grow abundant crops of water cress…indicating that the Mahinga kai is definitively returning.  Water clarity was extremely good with no alguae growth observed yet.

French Interns

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Two French Interns from the ENSAT (Ecole Nationale Superieure Agronomique de Toulouse) are currently helping the group develop a community based insect monitoring tool. This simple tool will be implemented every year with the idea of strengthening our ability to measure the impact of the conservation work carried out. Lucie and Louise are also helping out with our bird monitoring programme, pest control, water monitoring and blog development. We wish you all the best in Wairoa.

Edward’s unveiling

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On Sunday the 16th of October, family and whanau gathered along the Whangawehi bridge to unveil Edward Hammond’s plaque. Eddy was part of the water monitoring team, he also took part to the cultural survey carried out by Mana Cracknel. He was closely involved with Te Mahia school where he provided and transferred his knowledge to the younger generations. Edward had a special connection with the kids and took great satisfaction in teaching them what he knew. Edward was a doer always looking at interacting with the kids in a positive and constructive manner.

Edward’s plaque stands amongst his legacy, hundreds of native trees, blue penguin boxes and a beautiful Totara tree planted by the school students in remembrance of him. Eddy helped the group establish “te kakano” the seeds for a better future and a better community. Edward was a private and humble person and the unveiling was an opportunity to discover the community Man he was.

Nga mihi nui kia a koe Matua Edward, we miss you. The seeds you have sown are growing and your legacy will long last.

A big thank you to Tuahuru Marae, Rae, Toria, Trixie, Janice and all the whanau for their great sense of hospitality.

 

Trust Power Community Award

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The Whangawehi Catchment Management Group was the runner up in the Heritage and Environment category at the Trust Power Community Award. Rae Te Nahu received a certificate and a $250 price. 3 years ago the group won the Supreme award for the District and it was pleasant to see that the enthusiasm hadn’t faded away. Well done Rae.

An amazing planting campaign

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On Tuesday the 13th of September, two local men planted the last trees for the 2016 restoration campaign. The native plants came from the Whakaki nursery.

A huge amount of work has been carried out by the Whangawehi team and contractors in the most challenging weather conditions. 64 000 trees were planted which brings the total number of trees established since 2014 up to 134 000 trees. 8 km of river are now fenced off, retired and will be covenanted in the next few month cumulating a total of 42 ha. 5 ha of bush block have also been fenced off and retired.

A big thank you to the Whangawehi volunteers, landowners and sponsors for their support.

The project in entering now in an active monitoring and maintenance phase including release spraying, weed control and site maintenance. The pest control programme is also gaining momentum.

 

Te Mahia School planting day

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Te Mahia school students came along the Whangawehi to continue their planting project initiated 3 years ago. They established 150 trees and laid out their Blue Penguin nesting boxes built earlier on in August. A korero on pest control was given before returning to school. A big thank you to Jenny Scothern, the parents, teachers and Whangawehi volunteers for their help and support. The small forest (600 trees)  is growing and it is nice to see our tamariki grow and learn at the same time. Well done to you all.

Whangawehi update

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A lot of work has been completed this month and it is good to celebrate the fact that the whangawehi stream is fully fenced off on both sides of the river from the bridge to the Taharoa Trust (7.5 km). This is an achievement, well done to you all landowners, whanau, sponsors and agencies. The first native trees have been delivered today. A total of 47 000 should be established this winter on Pongaroa and Grandy Lake Forest.

The Health and Safety pre inspection visit was carried out on Friday with the contracting crew scheduled for mid July 2016.IMG_9505.JPG

Another milestone completed this month is the construction of our shelter, a magnificent building erected via donations from Carters, private contributions from Land owner Pat and Sue O’Brien and DOC. This shelter will offer a place to rest for those wanting to come and discover the restoration project whether they are trampers walking down the walkway or school students completing environmental work.

Thank you all for your hard work, you can be proud of your achievements.

Te Mahia School at the National Aquarium

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From Te Mahia School blog :

We have to be the luckiest Kura ever! We have had the most amazing couple of days. We had an awesome time at Tutira School yesterday as well as the pools. We had an adventurous overnight stay at the aquarium! And this morning we were treated to a surprise sit and chat with a real life penguin! Her name was Draco. She was tiny- but was 9 years old (which is like 90 penguin years!!!). After that we got to go up to the top of the tanks and see where the diver gets in the water! We then went down and watched him feed the fish. After a quick play we went for a walk to perfume point to see the “sea mural” and then had some pizza at the park. We have just finished visiting Eskdale School who are a green gold enviro school- we have a lot of ideas about what we can do at Te Mahia School! Also a very big ka pai to the tamariki who we were constantly told had amazing manners and were such awesome kids! Also a big thank you to the awesome crew of parents! Without you camp wouldn’t happen A massive thank you to the Whangawehi Catchment Management Group who contributed $2000 towards our junior camp this year. The purpose was to learn more about the little blue penguin and also to network with other like-minded enviroschools. How lucky are we that they support our learning opportunities for our tamariki down in Napier. WCMG, thank you very much!

 

Green Ribbon Award

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The Whangawehi Catchment Management Group had the privilege to be selected for the third time at the Green Ribbon Award, a National Award put in place by the Ministry for the Environment. On Tuesday the 8th of June, Pat O’Brien Chairman and Nic Caviale Delzescaux Coordinator attended the evening ceremony at the Beehive in Wellington. Unfortunately, the group didn’t win  but a lot of good contacts have been made. This award is a great National Event and it is a privilege to have been selected amongst over 100 projects.