Riparian planting and fencing restores whenua
In the Whanganui and Taranaki regions, Te Tumu Paeroa Rural team have been supporting owners in the fencing, preservation and restoration of a natural wetland on their whenua.
The owners of Ruatangata 1E 1A, approximately 20 kilometres south-east of Whanganui, wanted to see 1.6 hectares of riparian area restored to its natural state. They were interested in improving the quality of the freshwater and to see native tuna (eels) restored to the waterway.
Willow trees surrounding the banks of the wetland were removed and approximately one kilometre of fencing was erected prior to being planted with native plants. Te Tumu Paeroa worked with Horizons Regional Council in partnership with the Ministry for the Environment’s Freshwater Improvement Fund to secure half of the $43,000 needed to complete the project, with the owners contributing the remaining funds.
A similar programme of work in the Taranaki region saw the planting of more than 5,600 riparian plants across 13 blocks that are utlilised for dairying. Engagement with the owners of these blocks over the past few years enabled greater understanding of the benefits that riparian planting and fencing can offer the whenua, including improving and maintaining water quality.
Consequently, with the owners’ support, many of the trusts have held funds to support the cost of undertaking this work.
The maintenance of the riparian planting areas on these blocks will form part of future development plans to ensure the plants become well established and support the surrounding ecosystems on the whenua.