5 minute read
MOWS
Maketu Ongatoro Wetland Society
MOWS is a community conservation group dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring the native biodiversity of the lower Kaituna River, Maketū Harbour, Waihi Harbour, and the surrounding area.
In 2008, a small group of villagers came together to protect the colony of New Zealand dotterel (Tuturiwhatu) that breed on the tip of the Maketū Spit.
In the initial season, we could do little more than erect a simple fence and request people to stay out of the nesting area.
It soon became clear that safeguarding the dotterel alone was not enough. We needed to implement a broader plan to restore the ecological integrity of the spit, ensuring the security of not only the dotterel but also all other native animals and plants comprising the natural ecosystem. Since 2008, our group has expanded in both number and area.
Currently, our focus is on conservation initiatives and ecological restoration on the following areas: Maketū Spit, Newdick’s Beach, Dotterel Point Pukehina, Waihi Harbour Wetland, Papahikahawai Island, Pukehina Esplanade Reserve and the Te Huauri o te Kawa wetland on the Kaituna River. We are currently negotiating the acquisition of an 8ha wetland in Waihi Harbour. Our work includes animal pest control, pest plant control, biodiversity monitoring and habitat restoration.
With our expertise in ecological restoration and a highly skilled and qualified team, we can offer our services externally. We provide a range of environmental conservation services delivered by our friendly and reliable staff. More information about the services we offer. Feel free to contact us if you have any enquiries about how we might assist you.
We run a highly successful education programme in local schools in Te Puke, Maketū, Paengaroa, Pongakawa, and Pukehina. The aim of the programme is to encourage students to develop an understanding and become kaitiaki for their local environment through enjoyable and creative classroom activities and field trips. The programme also enables students to contribute to the community by participating in ecological restoration efforts.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2023
We have been looking after this wetland on the bank of the Kaituna River since 2002 when our new Chair, Peter Ellery, started work to create a habitat for inanga (whitebait). As part of the improvements, we needed to upgrade two of the bridges and join them with a new trail through the centre of the wetland – this would improve access for weed and pest control and also open the site up for more educational visits.
However, the combination of a very wet spring and summer made the work extremely challenging especially as we had not appreciated that the middle section of the trail is flooded on spring high tides. The end result is impressive, the bridges are wheelchair friendly and we are now able to get to some of the pest plants that have invaded the wetland over the years.
Puehina Esplanade Reserve
This is the stopbank that runs around the eastern end of Waihi Harbour. We have been working on this since 2019, clearing the trail and dealing with the pampas, gorse, wattles, boneseed as well as several small eucalypts and pines. This year we obtained additional funding and were able to employ a trained arborist for some of the larger trees, boy what a difference that made and while we have not quite finished, the reserve has improved immeasurably with a lot of new natives, including tree ferns, appearing now that they have more space and light.
Pukehina Wetland
While working on the Esplanade Reserve, we got to know the owners of the harbourside wetland immediately to the west of it. Last year they offered MOWS the opportunity to acquire the wetland at a nil cost. The one drawback was that we would have to pay the legal fees. As the property was classified as ‘Agricultural’ and was less than 40ha. we would need resource consent for the division of the property. That, along with the cost of surveying the site, is likely to cost us in the region of $30,000. Fortunately, we have managed to obtain the necessary funding and we are confident that the transaction will be approved. This would be a huge achievement for such a small Society.
GET INVOLVED!
Volunteer
We run regular working bees where we carry out tasks such as planting, weeding and removing beach litter. As our work covers the beautiful beaches around Maketū, you can be sure of a fantastic view while you work, as well as some great company! We usually finish off with a sausage sizzle to reward all your efforts!
Become a MOWS member:
We rely completely on the support of our members and volunteers to enable us to continue in our mission to restore and protect our local biodiversity. Without them our organisation would not function, so we are extremely grateful for the fantastic work they do. MOWS Memberships start at $15 per year for a student to $40 for a family. Life and corporate memberships are also available.
Donate:
Running an organisation is an expensive business. While we receive much of our funding from Councils and local philanthropic organisation which cover our main restoration projects, this does not cover all our core operating expenses and incidental costs for which we rely on doing external contracts and the generosity of our supporters who share our passion for what we do.
The importance of our work in preserving the native biodiversity cannot be overstated, and community conservation groups such as ours play a vital role in protecting species from extinction. Donations to help with the day-to-day operation of MOWS are always very much appreciated, and if your donation is over $500 you can specify on which project, piece of equipment, or general area you would like it to be spent.
For more information about getting involved, and working bee dates head to our website.
www.maketuwetlands.org.nz
