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A STREAM THAT CONTAINS ONE OF
THE LARGEST RANGES OF THREATENED
NATIVE FISH IN HAMILTON HAS
BEEN GIVEN ADDED HELP BY THE
MANGAKOTUKUTU STREAM CARE
GROUP WITH FUNDING FROM THE
WAIKATO RIVER AUTHORITY.
Stream Care Group chairman Grant Blackie says
bringing the mudfish back is a key project in the
group’s efforts to restore native aquatic species
in Hamilton area. The group is working to restore
biodiversity at a range of sites in and around the
stream, which runs from south of the city to join
the Waikato River near Hamilton Gardens. Putting
the mudfish at
the Sandford
Park site has
created the only
known current
population of
the fish in
this catchment.
”The mudfish in
the catchment
had previously
disappeared along with their wetlands habitat,
due to factors like urban encroachment on the
environment and conversion of land to farming,”
says Grant Blackie.
The group attracted Waikato River Authority
funding for the mudfish project, constructing a
new wetland and planting it in conjunction with
the Hamilton City Council. Tonkin and Taylor
staff designed and oversaw construction of the
wetland and the Department of Conservation
provided the necessary permits to bring the
mudfish in from Lake Komakarau near Hamilton.
Many of Stream Care Group are staff members
from the Waikato Regional Council.Grant says
members of the group have put in many hours
on the project. “These guys are passionate about
protecting and enhancing the environment and
November’s release on the mud fish was a
huge highlight.”
www.
waikatoriver
.org.nz
Milestone
Release of
mudfish
WAIKATO RIVERCARE HAS SECURED
PERMISSION FROM THE WAIKATO DISTRICT
COUNCIL AND STEVENSON PROPERTIES
LIMITED TO FENCE THE LAST REMAINING
SECTION OF RIVERBANK ACCESSED BY STOCK
ON SH1 BETWEEN TAUPIRI AND
HUNTLY TOWNSHIPS.
Waikato RiverCare’s operations manager Kevin Hutchinson
says the project is an excellent example of the way the
Waikato River draws landowners, community groups and
government agencies together to work out solutions that
benefit for all parties and protect the future health and
wellbeing of the awa. Waikato RiverCare is particularly
pleased that the agreed fence line will protect a locally
significant river back water wetland and allow for its
planting and restoration within the 1100m long project.
Waikato RiverCare has been undertaking habitat restoration
works on the five kilometre section of river between Taupiri
and Huntly and to date has completed four major projects
covering over three kilometres of riverbank which has seen
stock proof fencing and weed control implemented, as well
as over 24,000 plants being planted.
Kevin Hutchinson says plans to get fencing underway as
soon as ground conditions allow on the new site, with
the aim to have the first pre-planting preparation work
completed before Christmas. The first planting of 10,500
plants will take place in August 2015.
Significant milestone
for
river bank restoration
River side land to be fenced between Taupiri and Huntly with the
help of funding from the Waikato River Authority. Photo courtesy
of Waikato RiverCare looking north towards Huntly