The jobs for nature team have been busy clearing long branches overhanging onto the walkway. Spraying is ongoing as well as water monitoring and pest control. The team is now getting ready for planting.
Jobs for nature update
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Graveling update
Graveling is in full swing along the Whangawehi walkway. Southern Star Trail continues the long job of gravelling the track using a dedicated trailer. Progression at the moment is about 200m a day.
Walkway outdoor furniture
On Thursday 6th April 2021, Chris Wilson, local artist and cabinet maker swung by the Whangawehi to have a look at the walkway. Chris is in the process of making outdoor furniture for the walkway project. A big thank you to Chris for offering his skills to the project.
Swing bridge update
On Thursday 6th April 2021, Charles Loader from Abseil Access travelled to Whangawehi to access a potential new site for a swing bridge for the walkway. Charles flew a drone and took some measurements for consideration and analysis. We thank Charles for his support.
Walkway update
On the weekend of16th to the19th April 2021, the Whangawehi Catchment Management Group invited Jeff Hamilton to visit the project and meet with the catchment farmers. Jeff is part of a group of farmers that opened up the famous and popular private walking track in Banks Peninsula. This was the first private track to be opened up in New Zealand and became more popular than any of the farmers could have imagined. Jeff was warmly welcomed by the group and enthusiastic to pass on his advice and expertise. He openly shared some of his learnings and pitfalls when developing his own venture in Akaroa and offered ideas about how something similar could be started around the catchment.
The WCMG thanks Jeff for his outgoing personality, his generosity and the time he spent with us in Mahia. As a gift for his contribution to our community project, Richard Coop, local farmer and pilot, offered him a flight tour over the Mahia Peninsula.
Jobs for nature update
In September 2020, the WCMG was in a privileged position to receive support to help create a nature based employment scheme. The WCMG has been hiring contractors on a part time basis for years but has never been in financial position to employ them on a full time basis.
The Jobs for Nature fund has allowed the WCMG to create 8 permanent hired positions and train then under our historical contractor. This has been a big boast not only for the restoration project but also for our small rural community. Over the years, WCMG has retired over 200 ha of land, planted 250 000 trees, created a public walkway and undertaken ongoing pest control work. Although the scale of the work was always be there, the group has never been able to fund all the work needed to be done. Under this scheme, the WCMG has managed to catch up on all its maintenance programme while building capacity and capability in the community. We hope the scheme will be extended to secure these jobs for the future.
Pest control on Okepuha Station
Richard & Hannah Coop as well as their four children are committed to reducing pest pressure on their property. They check their traps on a weekly basis and religiously record their catches…well done guys. A big thank you to Richard, Hannah and their children for being such an encouragement to us all.
Enviro school at Whangawehi
On the 7th of April 2021, Jennifer Scothern, our local Enviro school Coordinator, came for a walk along the Whangawehi walkway to prepare a site visit with Te Mahia school.
During a short 30 minutes walk, we talked about archaeological artefacts accessible along the walkway as well as white bait and eels visible at the spawning site. Jenni also enjoyed trying out the new E DNA water test kit made available by the Environmental Protection Authority.
We thank Jenni for being so enthusiastic about connecting people with Nature. We hope the walkway will help her better connect our young tamariki with the beautiful environment they live in.
Kinikini car park update
On the first of April 2021, Dean Aitcheson from Mahia Forest, Malcolm Smith (WCMG Deputy Chair) and Nic Caviale Delzescaux met at the Kinikini car park to discuss possible options for the entrance of the walkway. It has been agreed to ask QRS to give a quote for the work involved. The group progressed into the forest to assess the tracks and discuss about further possibilities. A big thank you to Dean and Malcolm for making the time to help with the Whangawehi walkway.
Car park upgrade
On Monday the 29th of March 2021, Chris McGregor from QRS came to Whangawehi to provide some advice in regards to the much it would cost to upgrade the carpark. QRS will provide a couple of options (metal and seal) for this small but important project.
A big thank you to Chris who has moved from WDC to QRS but remains a great supporter of the community initiative. Thank you to Bevan Parker from Pongaroa Station who is allowing us to conduct this work.
Whangawehi Catchment Management Group 