Waikanae Estuary Care Group

Waikanae Estuary

Up-coming working bees

Friday 26 February

(back up day 5 March in case of bad weather)

Come along and work alongside corporate volunteers from ERMA.  We are looking for Care Group members to be both workers and work group leaders to support our visitors to the estuary.  Meet at the Manly Street entrance to the reserve (opposite Hadfield Place) at 9am.  Working bee to finish around 1pm.  Work to be done includes releasing (weeding) around plants. Sturdy footwear is essential and please bring sun protection and appropriate clothing for the weather on the day.  Morning tea provided.

Saturday 27 February

The meeting place for this working bee is on the corner of Manly Street at the beach entrance to the reserve.  Look out for our Care Group flag.  Work includes weeding around plants and will start at 9am and finish around 12 noon.  Morning tea is provided.  Please ensure you are wearing sturdy footwear and bring sun protection and appropriate clothing for the weather on the day.

 

Where can you find the group?

At the mouth of the Waikanae Estuary is the protected Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve. The reserveis managed by the Department of Conservation. It is one of thelargest remaining estuaries in the country and is classified on the list of New Zealand's wetlands of national significance because its catchment is largely intact native vegetation. The group have been involved with planting esturine plant species around the south side of the Waikanae Estuary. Follow the link to see an aerial photo of the reserve.

Contact Details

The group is chaired by Jeff Eaton (a local resident).

Phone 04 905 1396.

Greater Wellington contactKerryn Penny, email kerryn.penny@gw.govt.nz

To view the current care group newsletter, please click on the link in the right hand column.

What has the group done?

The Waikanae Estuary Care Group was formed in late 2004. The main aim of the group is restorative planting. The group has carried out three restorative plantings and additional working bees within the reserve and has grown significantly in both numbers and support. The group also have a shade house where native plants are grown from locally collected seed.

If you are interested in working in the shade house or being involved on a practical level, please contact Deb Finn phone 04 905 1396.

Find out about our Open Day held in May

Current activities 

After a very busy planting season that saw over 8000 plants find new homes in the estuary, the group is now in 'maintenance mode' with working bees organised around releasing / weeding and mulching of planting sites. See the working bee calendar above.

Regular working bees at the shade house continue. Contact Deb phone 04 905 1396 for more information.

Why get involved?

The estuary belongs to all of us. Getting involved to help plant and maintain native plantings in the estuary is an important step in restoring a wetland of national significance. It also means new friends, new skills and most importantly fun!