Enjoy the reading :WairaoStarScottSimpsonJuly2017

We have achieved a lot in the past five years, through the support of landowners, Marae, school, community and public agencies. We now need to look forward to identify our next set of goals, and both preserve and diversity the funding sources which will enable us to achieve those goals.

Two facilitators, Gerard Quinn and Will Allen, ran a very encouraging workshop at Kaiuku Marae and helped the group look at avenues for longer-term funding sustainability.

It was fascinating to be part of the outcome harvesting and headlines exercises and compare the data with the one collected 2 years ago.

A big thank you to you all for your input, to HBRC for funding this really important workshop and to the Kaiuku Marae for welcoming us so well.

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It has been a while since Rod and his team came to have a look at the Whangawehi pest control work. It was a pleasure to have them back to have a look at the traps and give us some invaluable advice. Hans Rook, wetland expert, had a look at the wetland work done in January in order to raise water levels and create more open water. Rooky is confident that the habitat is improving and should attract a range of wetland birds including the rare Matuku or Bittern.

Thank you all for your support.

Since my last field visit, a lot of work has been done. As you will on the photos, the earth work is nearly completed, the fencing work has started and the site for the community planting week end is just about ready. We just need a little bit of sun to keep going the way we are.

The Whangawehi cathment is changing, yesterday, I was riding my bike along the river  and was really impressed by the size of the trees…they are certainly growing extremely well. A photo tells a thousand words so enjoy the viewing. For those involved in the planting around the Mamangu site, you should be proud of your effort… a forest is quietly growing.

On the 10 th of April, Whangawehi sponsors gathered at Tuahuru Marae to celebrate the work done along the Whangawehi stream. After 4 years of work, the group wanted to thank the different organisations involved and show them the fruit of their investments.

Rex Graham, new Chairman of the Hawkes Bay regional Council was extremely supportive and impressed by the work done and saw a template that could be transferred to other groups. Mo Rongo, Chairman of the Rongoamaiwahine Trust presented with a lot of passion Iwi’s aspirations in the post Treaty Settlement phase.

All our visitors were impressed and realised how committed the people of Mahia are in terms of restoring their environment.

Thank you all for your contribution during the day, we hope to see you again soon.

On the 30th of March, Ian Tarei and Morgan Cox came to the Whangawehi meeting to talk about the Omataroa Kiwi Project based in Whakatane. Ian Tarei shared his story and key lessons learnt from his experience with the project.

The Whangawehi Catchment would be suitable for a Kiwi restoration programme because of its restored habitats and its pest control effort.

Ian and Morgan have sown a seed and gave quite a few tips on how their project became sustainable over time.

Thank you to both of them for their time and expertise.

On the 26th of January, the Whangawehi Committee gathered along the river to attend its first meeting in the newly built whare. This shelter built along the proposed walkway will allow the community to reconnect with the river and its native forest. This building was made possible thanks to the support of Carters Wairoa, land owners Pat O’Brien and DOC.

Thank you all for your support.