Wai Kōkopu

🌱 Discover the Wealth of Wetlands Day - Join Us! 🌱 Dive deep into the world of wetlands with us. A fantastic opportunity to connect with experts, landowners, and the community while learning about wetland restoration and its impact on our environment. 🗓 When: Wednesday, 16th October 2024, 9:30 AM 📍 Where: Pongakawa Hall RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/ggWwAcZc

🌿 Wai Kōkopu’s Latest News! 🌿 Our October newsletter is live! Dive in to see our planting progress, hear from local kids on wetlands, and learn about upcoming events. Check it out and join us in restoring our Bay of Plenty catchment! 👉 https://lnkd.in/g_ru35W4

Learn From Louis: How to Eradicate Weeds Properly 🌿 Louis from Pongakawa School shows us how to deal with pesky cherry trees in the wetland! 🌱 These trees may look small, but they can still grow even when uprooted if they remain on the ground. Louis demonstrates how to properly pull them out and place them to ensure they won’t grow back. Join us for Discover the Wealth of Wetlands Day on Wednesday, 16th October 2024 and learn more tips like this to protect our wetlands from invasive species! 📅 When: 16th October 2024, 9:30 AM 📍 Where: Pongakawa Hall RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/ggWwAcZc https://lnkd.in/gmHUYEjs

AWOL Pongakawa School Kids: Teaching Us About Their Wetland! Introducing some of the students from Pongakawa School, part of the AWOL Programme (Another Way of Learning)! They have been hands-on in caring for the school’s wetland, learning valuable lessons about the environment. From managing weeds with the cut-and-paste method to maintaining fish ladders and observing native birds like pukekos, these students are making a big impact on their local ecosystem. Their work doesn’t just protect their wetland—it supports native wildlife, keeps waterways clean, and ensures a sustainable future for us all. Join us for Discover the Wealth of Wetlands Day on Wednesday, 16th October 2024 to see how these young eco-champions are leading the way! 🗓When: 16th October 2024, 9:30 AM 📍Where: Pongakawa Hall RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gPS89Ac7

Grant and Ngaire Rowe: Lighthouse Farmers Leading the Way 🌿 Grant and Ngaire have planted 5 hectares—about 10% of their runoff area—with wetlands along the head of a stream that flows to the Waihi Estuary. By restoring these wetlands, they are slowing down sediment and protecting water quality in the estuary. 🌱 They’ve also planted native trees on their hillsides, transforming low-production areas into thriving, natural spaces. Instead of spending time battling weeds, they now enjoy watching their land grow and flourish. This important work has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of Wai Kokopu and the Regional Council, working together to create real environmental change. Want to learn more about how the Rowes are making a positive impact? Join us for Discover the Wealth of Wetlands Day on Wednesday, 16th October 2024 to hear their story and see the transformation for yourself! 📅 When: 16th October 2024, 9:30 AM 📍 Where: Pongakawa Hall RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gxTYkVxv https://lnkd.in/gjZUr4mT

Grant and Ngaire Rowe: Enhancing Our Land with Wetlands and Native Planting 🌿 With the help of Wai Kokopu and the Regional Council, Grant and Ngaire Rowe have transformed 5 hectares of their runoff area, including wetlands and hillsides, into thriving natural spaces. 🌱 The result? A more aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly property that they believe has even added value to their land. Grant believes every farmer should start small by protecting the headwaters and smaller streams, which can have a big impact on water quality downstream. Join us for Discover the Wealth of Wetlands Day on Wednesday, 16th October 2024 to hear more about how the Rowes are making a difference. 📅 When: 16th October 2024, 9:30 AM 📍 Where: Pongakawa Hall RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/ggWwAcZc

The Hickson Family’s Wetland: From Vision to Reality🌿 Paul and Andre Hickson, 4th generation Pongakawa locals, have deep roots in the community and a strong commitment to improving the Waihī Estuary Catchment. Through their dedication, the Hickson family’s wetland has become a success story in reducing contaminants like nitrogen, phosphorus, and E. coli, making a real difference for local water quality. Swipe through the before, during, and after photos to see how their wetland project has evolved—thanks to support from partners like NIWA, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, and others. What started as a vision has now transformed into a thriving ecosystem that’s vital for restoring the environment. Want to explore this transformation in person? Join us for Discover the Wealth of Wetlands Day on Wednesday, 16th October 2024! 📅 When: 16th October 2024, 9:30 AM 📍 Where: Pongakawa Hall RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/ggWwAcZc

Meet Paul Hickson: one of our Lighthouse Farmers leading the way 🌿 Paul Hickson and his brother Andre saw a need for change when their land faced challenges with E. coli in the Puanene Stream. Thanks to support from the Regional Council, NIWA & Naturally Native, they transformed their dairy farm by planting a wetland, significantly improving the environment. 🌱 With ongoing efforts like weed control and native planting, Paul continues to lead by example, showing how farmers can create sustainable solutions for water quality and biodiversity. Want to learn more about the work being done on farms like Paul’s? Join us for Discover the Wealth of Wetlands Day on Wednesday, 16th October 2024 to hear these stories firsthand and see the impact for yourself. 📅 When: 16th October 2024, 9:30 AM 📍 Where: Pongakawa Hall RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/ggWwAcZc https://lnkd.in/gaQDVxRs

Protecting our plants from pests 🌿 While our native plants grow a lot slower compared to exotic species, follow-up spraying and pest control are crucial for their survival. While possums, deer, and even wallabies may not always be visible, their damage to plants is real, and often underestimated. Expert contractors with the right tools are essential to managing these pests before they cause lasting harm. Join us for Discover the Wealth of Wetlands Day on Wednesday, 16th October 2024 to learn how you can help protect our environment from both invasive weeds and animal pests. 📅 When: 16th October 2024, 9:30 AM 📍 Where: Pongakawa Hall RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/ggWwAcZc https://lnkd.in/gE5t-Zwr

Battling Weeds for a Healthier Future 🌿 Our pest control contractor, Mark Drabble shares how vital it is to prepare sites well before planting and maintain them afterward. On the Hickson’s former forestry land, weeds like lusitanica seedlings thrive, but with awareness and effort, we can prevent the spread of invasive species like Madeira Vine, which smothers new growth. 🌱 We need your help to raise awareness about how garden plants can become a serious threat when discarded irresponsibly. Join us for Discover the Wealth of Wetlands Day on Wednesday, 16th October 2024 and learn how to protect our environment from invasive weeds. 📅 When: 16th October 2024, 9:30 AM 📍 Where: Pongakawa Hall RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/ggWwAcZc Together, we can safeguard our wetlands and stop the spread of these damaging weeds! 💧 https://lnkd.in/gHfiCjrX