Wakapuaka Whangamoa Restoration project
16/08/2024 12:55pm
The three-year Jobs for Nature-funded Wakapuaka Whangamoa Restoration project concluded in July
with a significant final effort from the conservation rangers team to achieve the project's objectives.
Concentrating on the restoration of sites with high ecological and cultural value within the two river catchments, the initiative resulted in the planting of 16,000 native trees, treatment of 20 hectares of wilding conifers, control of an impressive 60 hectares of weeds, and the removal of nearly 450 predatory pests, which included 215 possums.
These outcomes bolster native biodiversity, aiding its recovery and prosperity, while also fortifying against erosion and providing habitats for threatened species. The project has spanned various ecosystems, such as wetlands, coastal deltas, boulder fields, lowland forests, and riparian (waterway) margins. Collaborating with landowners, the guardians of these cherished sites, the project established a 'team for nature.' This initiative is set to generate lasting positive outcomes.
The project delivered significantly more than what the headline targets might suggest, notably by creating over 15 full-time roles across three years. Many staff members, new to conservation work, gained invaluable skills and experience through Kūmānu's Jobs for Nature trainee ranger program. In addition to addressing dense weed infestations, the team conducted wasp control, protected habitats for rare geckos and mātātā/fernbirds, and collected seeds for cultivation in the nursery. Furthermore, the project facilitated fish passage and supported īnanga spawning.
The project was supported by a Pou Tikanga from Ngāti Tama, which aimed to embed tikanga best practices and provide advice to project partners and staff on cultural values relevant to environmental work in the area. This mahi culminated in a hākari, with the team of Kūmānu rangers assisting in the preparation of a hāngī to celebrate the contributions and achievements of everyone involved in the Wakapuaka Whangamoa Restoration Project.