The community planting day was well attended, including the Te Toke marae, local primary schools, parents, whanau and the college’s first XV rugby team. Don Scarlet and Michelle Archer also attended on behalf of WCEET. Around 2400 native plants have been planted at the site.

This riverside planting project reflected how important the Waikato River and its surrounding lands are to iwi and the community of Reporoa.

Following an aerial willow spray in 2009 there has been a lot of work completed on the project. Ground based willow control of 2.2 hectares was completed with about 0.8 hectares remaining in an area excluded from the aerial spray. Over 6000 native plants were planted in winter 2010, bringing the planting programme ahead of schedule, primarily due to the amount of hard work being put in by Conservation Volunteers NZ and the Lake Care Group. In December and January 2010/11, ongoing ground based willow control over 6 hectares of regenerating and/or new willow plants was completed as well as ground based spray control of other invasive weeds like royal fern and blackberry.

Check back soon for before and after photos of restored areas of the wetland.

Two new river bank sites were planted this year – at Rangiriri C and the Huntly Golf Course. These plantings totalled 2.2km in length and an area of 2 hectares.

Some infill planting was carried out at Churchill East Road A, Gedyes, Rangiriri B and Te Kokiriri A and B sites and five new sites were prepared for planting.

Volunteer groups have played a big part in Waikato RiverCare’s planting days. Some of the volunteer groups were from:

• Te Wharekura O Takaumangamanga
• Watercare Services
• Bank of New Zealand
• Runanga O Kirikiriroa

The group also continues to work with Ngaruawahia Primary School St Pauls and this year students planted another 400 native trees on the river bank at Ngaruawahia.

Despite some delays due to flooding on the Waikato River, fencing at Taupiri B site has been completed and planting is due to take place this spring.

These photos are from the Huntly College Planting:

A network of traps and bait stations cover a large area of land and bush areas. To support this work, the Omori Kuratau people have started their own wildlife trust which will help to reduce the reinvasion of pests from the north.

Vermin are controlled by trapping and poisoning. Trapping is carried out all year and focuses on mustelids. Poisoning is carried out from September through to February when birds are most vulnerable. A particular poison called Ditrac is used because it is the most environmentally friendly of the warfarin type anticoagulant poisons.

Pukawa Wildlife Management Group service 378 traps and 180 bait stations. All work is done by unpaid voluntary labour. The work is continuous, and both financial and voluntary support is always welcomed.

To see the full newsletter, please click the link below:

PWMT Nov2011 Newsletter

Please see the “About the Trust” tab above to find out more about the Trust and the types of projects we support. 

To obtain an application form or further information about the Waikato Catchment Ecological Enhancement Trust email: enquiries@wceet.org.nz 

If you have any questions please call Trust Secretary Michelle Archer on 07 858 8403.

Applications close on the 31st January 2012.

Additional fencing has been put up to ensure there is no encroachment of cattle onto the wetland and planted areas. Approximately 22,500 native plants have been planted, with 2000 of these for cultural harvest. Maimais are due to be constructed in February 2012. There is also the possibility that the site could be used for elver transfer and growth before being released into the Waikato River.  

Apart from a small seep under the bund in November 2010 which has since been repaired, the wetland has been successful.  Waikato River Iwi are keenly looking at the Ohaaki Wetland as a success story to encourage other restoration works on and adjacent to the Waikato River.

An official public opening of the wetland is proposed for September 2012.

Photo 1.  Aerial photo (Aug 2011) of the Ohaaki Wetland, exhibiting proposed maimai sites, public viewing hide and walking track.

 This year the Trust received 20 applications for projects requesting $1.9 million in funds. Eleven of these were confirmed with a total $466,067 allocated to these projects over the next 3 years.

Two of the funded projects are highlighted in the report.

Project Tongariro (formally TheTongariro Natural History Society) is working to protect and enhance the Waimarino Wetland on the shores of Lake Taupo. This group have worked well with the local community to build relationships and establish a united vision for wetland restoration in that area.

The second project is the National Wetlands Society as they work to develop a National Wetlands Centre at Lake Rotopikopiko/Serpentine near Ohaupo. The Trust has provided a $100,000 seeding grant for their project to build a 14 hectare predator free environment within the lake complex. Once completed, this area will be a central component of the Society’s aim to provide wetland experiences that promote the importance of wetlands in NZ.

 Wide community involvement and good planning are features of the projects that are most successful in delivering the Trust’s objectives.

Please see the full FY2011 Annual Report below for full details.

WCEET ANNUAL REPORT 2010 – 11

In 2010 Te Kawakawa Ahu Whenua Trust fenced off two wetlands on its farm on the northern slopes of Mt Pihanga.  The water from one of these wetlands feeds the main stream through the National Trout Centre.  Nicki Hughes from the Waikato Regional Council and John Haywood the lessee of the property took the Trustees through and outlined the progress and goals for the project.  The Trustees were impressed by the large areas protected, particularly one so close to SH1.

The Trustees then travelled to the National Trout centre to inspect the fish ramp on the Waihukahuka Stream that WCEET supported in 2007.  The Trustees were also guided through the new visitor centre and were impressed by the native fish aquarium, worth a visit if you are ever passing by.

Finally the Trustees visited the settlement of Pukawa where a locally run predator trapping programme has been underway for over 12 years.  Local resident Jean Stanley discussed the project and some of the daily problems she encounters.  Pukawa is a very inspirational local community and the amazing birdlife is a testament to the dedication of these local personalities.

WCEET Trustees at Pukawa

It was a successful afternoon and demonstrated to the Trustees the commitment these small groups have to running successful projects.  WCEET is pleased to assist these groups in achieving their goals.

Deputy Chair Judy van Rossem accepted the prize on behalf of the Trust.  Judy noted that this contribution will assist WCEET in providing Trust signs to grant recipients to promote WCEET around the catchment at the project sites.

WCEET thanks SBS for this valued contribution http://www.sbs.net.nz/personal/our-products/StarSBS.aspx

Mark Kendrick - Senior Investment Consultant from SBS presents $1,000 to WCEET Deputy Chair Judy van Rossem

Trust received 20 applications for projects this year requesting $1.9 million in funds over the next 3 years. 

Eleven projects were approved totalling $486,000 as follows:

• Tongariro Natural History Society – Wetland Restoration, South Taupo Wetlands
• National Wetland Trust – Contribution towards construction of the National Wetlands Centre at Lake Serpentine
• Ngati Tahu Ngati Whaoa Rununga Trust – Riparian Enhancement, Ohaaki
• Ngati Rongomai Hapu – Restoration of the Waiotaka River Catchment, South Taupo
• Waikato RiverCare – ongoing support of their Lower Waikato River bank enhancement programmes
• Waikato Regional Council – Riparian Planting, margins of Lake Waahi, Huntly
• Tui 2000 – Waiwhakareke Heritage Park planting, Rotokauri, Hamilton
• Advocates of the Tongariro River – River bank restoration, Turangi
• Pukawa Wildlife Management Trust – Pest control, Pukawa, Lake Taupo
• Mighty River Power – Downstream Eel Migration Research Project, Karapiro Dam
• Department of Conservation – Pest Fish barrier installation, Lake Serpentine

We look forward to working with these groups over the next few years to help them achieve their ecolocial enhancement goals.