Waikanae Estuary Care Group

Winners! 

Waikanae Estuary Care Group was presented with the Rata Community Partnership Award at the 2009 Greater Wellington Environmental Awards.  The progress being made by the group in restoring the Waikane Estuary was acknowledged by the judges.  Since 2004 members have planted more than 25 000 native plants and progressively eliminated weeds to return the area closer to its natural state.  The Care Group grows many of its own plants in its own plant nursery.

Up-coming working bees

Saturday 21 August

This is the last chance planting day of the season, so come along and help us put the last plants in ground at RPS 2.  Meet on the bend of Manly Street, Paraparaumu, where we will direct you into the planting site.  Look for the Care Group flag.  Warm clothes and sturdy footwear is essential for this site.  Due to the rainfall we have experienced this winter, parts of the site is pretty wet... if you've got gumboots we recommend you wear them...  Morning tea is provided.

Thursday 26 August

Planting with local Waikanae School students on the north side.  Extra helpers most welcome.  Contact Kerryn Penny for details.  Phone 04 801 1029 or email kerryn.penny@gw.govt.nz

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 contact Kerryn 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 - planting

It's planting season!  Plants love this cold wet weather as it enables them to establish their roots in their new growing environment before those hot summer days come along.  This is a busy time for the Care Group as we have approx. 7000 plants to get in the ground before Spring.  Come along and give us a hand to complete this rewarding and fun work!   See the planting day calendar above  for details of where we will be when...

 

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!