Kia ora koutou,
The Whangawehi Catchment Management Group is organising a community gathering to celebrate the International Asia Pacific River Award won in October 2018.
When: Friday the 15th of March from 6 pm
Where : Mokotahi hall, Mahia
BYO evening
Bring your family and friends, we are all looking forward to celebrating with you.
No mai haere mai
Nga mihi.
Nic
In July 2018, Taharoa Trust was granted support from the Wai Maori Trust to enhance the margins of the wetlands fenced off in the early 2000. A total of 40 ha of rare ecosystems have been retired and are self reverting into native habitats. Some of these wetlands had issues with weeds (blackberry, gorse and pampas) and the goal of this project was to control them and establish back native plants over time. The spraying was delayed due to a wet spring which allowed us to establish 400 flaxes in a clean corner. We are now on track (see on the photos). This year’s focus is on Sue’s wetland located at the back of Sue’s garden. Through the WCM work, we are trying to reconnect these wetlands with the surrounding bush blocks and ultimately with the main Whangawehi stream. These habitats play a key role in filtering the water that flows from the farmland into the Whangawehi stream and at sea. They are also a nursery for a range of native species including fish, birds, insects etc. We want to establish a water cress patch on several farms to reconnect the people with traditional practises.
We will keep you posted on the progress made. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and happy new year. Kia hari kirihimete me te tau hou koa.
The monthly check at Whangawehi went well. Water levels are dropping in the main Whangawehi stream and tributaries. Water temperature is high especially in the lower reaches. Algae dominate some of our sites which happens every summer. Over time, the shading effect from the trees will allow the water to cool down and restrict algae growth. Tree growth is phenomenal, Malcolm did a fantastic job at controlling blackberry so the place looks amazing.
On the 8th of may, HBRC undertook a fish monitoring survey on the Whangawehi on the Taharoa Trust, just behind the shelter. Water was a bit high and coloured but the survey should give a good idea of population health in a stock free environment (fenced off in 2014). We are all waiting for a report but Arthur noticed a high number in small eels with an increasing number of short fin eels. An uncommon bully was found also.
The latest water monitoring at Mamangu is available : April2017
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Whangawehi Catchment Management Group 