Since March a total of $370,000 has been paid to funding recipients.  Major works include two Fish and Game projects, Ohaaki Wetland Project and the Eastern Whangamarino Wetland Restoration.  These projects have created valuable wetlands and provided increased biodiversity in the area.  Other projects such as the South Taupo Wetlands, Pukawa Wildlife Management, Progress to Health and Tui 2000 have continued providing ecological benefits to a wide area.

Applications closed on the 31st January 2010, applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications prior to March 31^st 2010.

Guests from throughout the Catchment including local Iwi, Local and Regional Councils, conservation and wetland enthusiasts, representatives from the organisations who have received funding and founding organisations were welcomed by Tainui’s Gannin Ormsbyand Trust Chair Gwyneth Verkerk.  Gwyneth provided an outline of the Trust’s vision and objectives, success’s to date and hopes for the Trust’s future.

Special Guest speaker, renowned ecologist Bruce Clarkson outlined his life’s work involving natural forest chronosequence and how principles of studying environmental change can be applied to improve species biodiversity in the Waikato Region.

The afternoon was a great chance to celebrate the Trust’s successes, primarily 89 projects and $2 million committed to enhancements in the Waikato Catchment. 

The 2010 funding round was officially opened by Chair Gwyneth Verkerk and the Trust looks forward to receiving and reviewing applications which close on 31 January 2010.

Gwyneth Verkerk Speaking

Barry Pope with his well deserved Conservation Award

Late in 2008 Barry Pope, manager of Moerangi Station was awarded with a Tongariro Taupo Conservation Award for the work which has been completed in planting the riparian sections of the station.

Moerangi Station is located between Lake Otamangakau and Kuratau, and comprises a large part of the upper catchment of the Kuratau River. The award was presented by the Tongariro/Taupo Conservator and WCEET Trustee, Paul Green, who described the farm entity as a great model for the future of the Taupo catchment, and highlighted they had planted and fenced off 135ha of a protected wetland area using funding sourced from WCEET. He supported them in leading the way with changed land use practices and reducing the nitrate leaching into the lake.

The Trustees met in March to discuss the applications and after follow ups for more information is pleased announce the following recipients for the 2009 funding round:

• 2009/01 – Lake Kaituna and Komakorau.  Fencing associated with wetland restoration at Horsham Downs.
• 2009/03 – Lake Maratoto Wetland Restoration. Costs associated with planting and release spraying to ensure native tree survival around the Lake.
• 2009/04 – Blue Duck Project.  Assistance with a volunteer predator trapping programme on the Tongariro River to assist survival of the Blue Duck or ‘Whio’.
• 2009/06 – Progress to Health. Community group undertaking cultivation of native plants to help restore the banks of the Waikato River.
• 2009/07 – Tongariro Natural History Society. Continuing support for the Waimarino Wetland Restoration, part of the South Taupo Wetland
• 2009/08 – Pukawa Wildlife Management Group. Local volunteers undertake pest management in the hopes of restoring abundant native bird populations at Pukawa, southern Lake Taupo

If you are involved in a project that has been funded or is being funded by the Trust and there has been a development in your project you would like us to report on please do not hesitate to contact us.

For their aid in creating this website the Trust would like to thank Rob Anderson for putting this wonderful website together and all those who provided photos and support for the website. Your help is much appreciated.