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It was all hands on deck at Coxhead Creek recently when around 70 volunteers – including 40 members of North Harbour Rugby Union – planted 1500 native trees along a tributary of the Whangateau Harbour.
The project is an initiative of the Whangateau HarbourCare Group, in partnership with the landowners, supported by funding from Rodney Local Board. It is also supported by Auckland Council and the Whitebait Connection.
The most recent working bee was the second stage of plantings, which brought the project to a total of 3000 native shrubs and trees planted along the stream.
An area of 5.8 ha was fenced off last year to exclude stock from the stream and existing remnant native bush.
Whangateau catchment facilitator Alicia Bullock says the fencing has resulted in tangible benefits, with native regeneration evident and the stream protected from stock trampling banks and polluting the stream.
“Local birdlife is already enjoying the return of a burgeoning forest, with sightings of many pīwakawaka (fantails) and kōtare (kingfishers) among the plantings – something not seen when the site was just kikuyu grass,” she says.
Whitebait Connection has found kōura (freshwater crayfish), eels, banded kōkopu and other small fish, as well as lots of macroinvertebrates, reflecting the creek’s high ecological value.
Bullock says that in the long term, the project seeks to stabilise the land to support the eroding stream.
In turn, this means less silt in the harbour.
“Plants have been chosen for their deep and strong root systems that, once established, will help to mitigate erosion and flooding.
“The project takes a generational view, with the vision that mokopuna will enjoy a harbour with less silt washing into it, better water quality and thriving ecosystems. We’ve also made sure the forest will provide quality food for birds and pollinators.”
The project is a catalyst for a catchment-wide, community led approach to caring for the whenua, streams and harbour.
The next initiative is a wetland restoration planting day in Coxhead Creek valley this Sunday, August 25, from 9.15am to 12.30pm. Volunteers are asked to meet at the corner of Coxhead Creek and Leigh Roads.
Bullock says that if anyone in the catchment would like to be involved in the next planting day, have a stream they’d like to support, or are interested in joining the community effort to care for the
Whangateau catchment and harbour, she can be contacted at whangateaucatchment@gmail.com.
