9
Magazine
Waikawau
Following discussions and planning with Department of Conservation
(DOC) officers, extensive planting of trees and shrubs was undertaken
in late 2012 with support from DOC staff and locals. The work is a trial
to investigate restoration of native shrubland in appropriate dune areas,
where views are not affected, and builds on successful work conducted
by Beachcare at Whitianga and Kuaotunu in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Shrubs and trees are part of the natural successional recovery in back-
dune areas, but has been very limited on Coromandel dunes.
The trial work involved a range of species and different approaches, with
monitoring inspections conducted in early and mid 2013. Initially the
plantings performed well, but over late summer and autumn 2013, rabbits
caused significant damage to most of the plantings in more open areas
– though the plantings in dense native vineland, nearly one metre deep,
were more successful. As a result, further plantings planned for the site
have been held over until autumn 2014 to address rabbit issues.
Other sites
The major dune restoration along the beach frontage of the Port
Jackson camping ground, completed in late 2011, is continuing to
perform well, with some maintenance plantings planned for 2014.
Discussions have also been held with an iwi group at Kennedy Bay
with regard to initiating dune restoration at that site. It is hoped to
commence work with local iwi in 2014 and, over time, expand the
work to other foreshore areas.
In 2014, it is also planned to have further discussions with local iwi
at Mataora Bay with a view to re-commencing work at that site.
Department of Conservation staff and locals planting back-dune tree species.
Waikawau has an extensive back-dune zone behind the fore-dune.
The Waikawau fore-dune has a good cover of spinifex.
Kawakawa planted amongst the established pōhuehue.
