Waitohu Streamcare Inc.
Otaki
The Waitohu Stream, estuary and dunes at Otaki Beach. Follow the link to see an aerial photo of the area.
This is a voluntary community group who work together to restore the dunes, wetland and estuary of the Waitohu Stream. The estuary is home to lots of local wildlife including birds and whitebait. It’s also a place for people to enjoy. The stream is one of the most polluted in the Wellington region and the group hope that their efforts to plant the riparian margins will encourage others living upstream to also take an interest in the stream. Nutrients from farms, pollution and rubbish dumping from adjoining land, and sediment from earthworks upstream all contribute to poor stream health.
Waitohu Streamcare group members range in age from 7 to 86 years. Since being established in 1999 the group has
- Planted protective riparian strips both sides of the stream
- Built the Reeves Nursery to grow native plants
- Fenced off the fragile wetlands bordering the stream and protected the dune system with tape barriers
- Planted native sand binding grasses, spinifex and pingao, to help stabilise the dunes
- Erected signs explaining the impact of vehicles and horses on the dunes
- Planted along the beach access from Moana Street
- Installed a memorial seat at the walkway entrance overlooking the Waitohu Stream and the Tararuas
- Created a sign explaining the special nature of the Waitohu estuary and the activities of the Waitohu Stream Care Group
- Carried out water quality monitoring
- Produced a regular newsletter to keep members and friends informed
- Had fun!
Over the past 11 years the group has won numerous national awards including the Wellington Region Conservation Award and a National Green Ribbon Award in 2004, The NZ Plant Conservation Network award, the Dune Restoration Trust of NZ award and the local and regional Wellington Airport Awards.
The group meets every Monday at the nursery on Moana Street .
Group contact Sue McIntosh Ph: 06 364 0641
GW contact Robyn Smith Ph: 04 803 0367
Otaki Sand dunes with the mouth of the Waitohu Stream in the background