Nearly half of all dairy farmers in
the Upper Waikato catchment have
now signed up to a project that aims
The Authority funded Maurea Islands restoration
project is more than beating back weeds and
planting native trees – it’s also about reconnecting
people to their local places; encouraging
participation; providing training; building resources
for cultural harvest and creating partnerships. It
focuses on two river islands upstream of Rangiriri
and is a joint project between Waikato Raupatu
River Trust (WRRT) and National Institute of Water
and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), supported
by Landcare Research (LCR), Maurea Marae,
Department of Conservation and Waikato
Regional Council.
The vision of Maurea Marae is to see the return
of bird, fish, plant and invertebrate species along
the Awa so they may interact with them again. A
restoration plan was recently completed integrating
maatauranga Maori and contemporary scientific
advice from NIWA and LCR. Hui with Maurea Marae
has identified plant species of cultural significance
to be included in the planting plan, and includes
aspirations for the return of other native fauna.
These hui also helped formulate restoration goals
and objectives.
www.
waikatoriver
.org.nz
River the big
winner from
dairy project
Tradescantia covering downstream tip
of western Maurea Island
Jonathan Brown plants mauku cabbage
trees after the hand removal of weeds.
Maurea Islands restoration project
Get Involved
Groups or individuals carrying out pest plant control and eradication
who wish to observe and experience the activities related to non-
chemical and chemical based pest plant control may have an
opportunity to do so through this project. Please register your
interest at
noting your name, contact
phone number, email address, and the nature of your interest in
this opportunity (e.g. undertaking pest plant control as part of
another project) The Waikato River Authority will inform you should
opportunities that arise for people to assist with this project over
the next several months. The intent of this is to transfer knowledge
on the issues related to the use of non-chemical pest plant control
throughout the Waikato River catchment.
In April 2013, Waikato-Tainui restoration trainees
were accompanied by NIWA and LCR scientists, DOC
and Gecko NZ Trust staff. Trainees learnt to conduct a
vegetation survey, operate GPS and use the specially
developed plant guide to identify native and exotic
species. On the larger island 84 plant species were
identified, including 22 native species. The smaller
island had 11 natives and a total of 55 plant species.
The vision of
Maurea Marae is
to see the return
of bird, fish, plant
and invertebrate
species along the
Awa so they may
interact with
them again.
to protect and improve the health of
the Waikato River.
And there is a good deal of confidence that the
remaining 350 farmers living between Huka
Falls and the Karapiro Damn will also join the
Upper Waikato Sustainable Milk project – the
largest environmental good-practice project ever
undertaken by the dairy industry.
Waikato River Authority has invested $685,000
over three years in the project with the project
costs coming from the DairyNZ levy funds and
Continues overleaf...
