Category Archives: Water quality

Whangawehi celebrates the Pacific International River Awards

Posted on by under Conservation- Native bird specie- Indigenous project-Habitat restoration- Pest control, Monitoring programmes, Uncategorized, water monitoring, Water quality

The Whangawehi community is celebrating this Award received in Sydney in October 2018. A big thank you to the whole team and the wider community. This award celebrates the commitment of a dedicated community that has delivered some key milestones over the past 4 years. Well done to you all. Pai the Mahi.

 

Whangawehi bridge enhancement

Posted on by under Conservation- Native bird specie- Indigenous project-Habitat restoration- Pest control, Environmental school programme, Uncategorized, Water quality

On Saturday the 8th of October, a small group of hard core Whangawehi members gathered at the Whangawehi bridge to finish off building the new railing fence which was started　on the day of the　working bee. The work involved digging several holes in solid hard ground and it’s no wonder that the beer afterwards was well received. Well done to you all and thank you for your commitment.

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Catchment update

Posted on by under Conservation- Native bird specie- Indigenous project-Habitat restoration- Pest control, Monitoring programmes, recreation, Uncategorized, water monitoring, Water quality

As you can see from the photo’s-all our trees have grown a lot　over the winter period.　They　are　flourishing and there is nothing stopping them now. Water is flowing very clear in the Whangawehi stream but algae are already starting to　pop up　at Mamangu which is a bit early.

A new tree species-the Poroporo-is now growing along the river which has been self-introduced by birds.　Poroporo is a　native tree already present in the DOC reserve. A small scrub-the Poroporo is traditionally a very valuable plant to　Maori　because of it’s　itch relief properties. It’s a delightful looking plant that is known to grow extremely fast.

It is great to see that the cycle of nature is taking place and allowing the　diversification of our local biodiversity.

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Debris dam construction on Taharoa Trust

Posted on by under Conservation- Native bird specie- Indigenous project-Habitat restoration- Pest control, Uncategorized, Water quality

The Taharoa team have decided to make the most of the low water levels in the Mangatupae stream by constructing a series of debris dams.  The Mangatupae catchment is actively eroding and the stream bed has dropped by 3 metres over the past 30 years.  The goal of the debris dam is to help stabilise and rebuild the stream bed by trapping the silt.  This structure will be just one of the many tools used to reduce erosion.  Last year, 2 bush blocks were fenced off and retired (5 ha).  This coming winter we will attempt to fence off another 5 ha bush block with a fence line bladed to retire the stream.

Further up in the headwaters, a new soil conservation trial is underway with native trees protected by a new guard.  Our hope is that all these tools will contribute towards finding a positive outcome for our freshwater quality and our biodiversity.  Erosion control will be a long term battle so we will keep you posted on any further developments.

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