Award Nominee

Te Puna Estuary Managers Inc. was formed as a community group in December 2003. The key driver was the increasing invasive spread of mangroves in the Te Puna estuary, Tauranga. A committee was formed and a strategic action plan developed. This showed the need for a restoration plan and with the aid of a Department of Conservation (DOC)-Biodiversity grant this was developed by professional consultants in 2005. We initiated a residents’ survey to learn of community issues in respect to estuary health. The results confirmed a high level of concern from residents about the increase of mangrove numbers, decrease in water clarity, lack of open water, and decline in fish, shellfish and bird numbers.

These issues were the catalyst for our group to take an holistic approach covering entire estuarine health. The Group became a registered Tauranga Harbour Care group and later an incorporated society. We are small both in geographic range and resident population. Attendance at community meetings is usually 10-15 persons. Participants at working bees vary according to the task mangrove removal usually attracts some 4-6 persons (this work is difficult and the terrain very muddy), clearing weeds some 10-15 persons and our planting days attract around 40 people including families. These low numbers provide a challenge for us as our projects are large.

We held working bees to weed bust and enhance native flora and fauna alongside the estuary borders.

Two grants from NZ Transpower-Landcare Trust have assisted us with the purchase of small machinery (scrub bars and chainsaws) to tackle this job. In addition volunteers bring small tools such as hoes, spades, and pruners.

In May 2007 we were granted resource consent for the removal of mangroves. Our first working bee was held in late June 2007 following public notification of the conditions of the consent. We held regular working bees at the Jess Rd site to remove mangroves through to the end of August when work ceased temporarily to allow birds to nest without disturbance. We re-started this mangrove removal project in February 2008.

In 2005 we cleared convolvulus which was strangling young plants, from a small Environment Bay of Plenty (EBOP) reserve at the Jess Rd saltmarsh border and together with community volunteers and volunteers from Avalon, a local disabled person trust, planted more native trees on the reserve.

In 2006 we planted approximately 1000 native plants on the hillside opposite, which is also under EBOP reserve status. This was sprayed and burnt prior to planting and a follow-up hand weeding programme by community volunteers was implemented. This was complemented by a spraying programme. The main weeds are wattle, gorse and blackberry.

For winter 2007 an ambitious 3-pronged action plan was prepared and undertaken.

Site 1: Pukemanuka Pa access

We started with clearing invasive pest plants from the Pukemanuka Pa site access (public paper road). This land was covered with blackberry, convolvulus, gorse, pampas, inkweed, fennel and nightshade. The land was cleared and weeds piled for later burning. The Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC) has since committed to undertake twice yearly mowing of this area. A triangular steep section was set aside for planting with native plants. This was undertaken in August 2007 with plants donated by EBOP. There have been two hand weeding sessions undertaken by small teams plus regular spraying to maintain and assist with plant establishment.

Site 2: EBOP- DOC reserve border extension

We cleared a track through head-high blackberry as an extension of the DOC reserve boundary in anticipation that we would plant this area in 2007. The land is swampy and a stream was cleared of blackberry to once again provide drainage. This gave us a sizable plot of land for winter planting 2007. We have now extended the reserve to almost three times its original size.

Site 3: Road Frontage- WBOPDC

The third area is road frontage and adjacent WBOPDC road reserve. This land borders the Jess Rd DOC saltmarsh reserve. The predominant weeds to contend with were seedling wattle amid a carpet of blackberry. Clearing was undertaken by digger which was co-opted when it was working in an adjacent site. Hand clearing using scythes and spade completed the task. Ongoing hand weeding and spraying maintains this site.

All three sites were sprayed with glyphosate after the initial weed busting to minimise weed regrowth and to provide optimal planting conditions. At/after planting we installed three types of weed mat to assist with moisture retention and to inhibit weed growth. These were carpet squares, biodegradable weed squares (donated by EBOP), and carpet strips. We have a weed control maintenance programme of spraying around the plants which is working well.

For 2008 we have a further planting programme planned following remedial work on a bund/stop bank. Our programme is for planting late May/June with the use of carpet and bark to provide ongoing weed resistance and to assist in establishing the plants.

Te Puna Estuary Managers Inc. is extremely grateful for and acknowledges the assistance we have been provided from our key partners EBOP, WBOPDC and DOC. This assistance has been financial, provision of plants and materials and also with administration and consent applications.

Te Puna Estuary Managers Inc. leads an approved management programme for the Jess Rd. estuary which has been agreed with DOC, EBOP, and Te Puna Estuary Managers Inc.

Funding from NZ Landcare Trust and DOC-Biodiversity has enabled our projects to be implemented.

We believe gaining an award would provide recognition for the hard working community contributors and our sponsors.

Nominated by: K. Walker