Upper Waiomou habitat enhancement (completed)

Funded: $1.7m by MfE’s Public Waterways and Ecosystems Restoration Fund as part of the Jobs for Nature programme
Total project cost: $2.46m
Project duration: 4 years
New jobs expected over project life: 21

This project seeks to restore 48 kilometres of riparian margin through selective removal and management of overgrown willow and poplar trees, removing or managing pest plant incursion and planting a native corridor along the Tukutāpere, Rapurapu and Waiomou streams.

The project builds upon work that has been carried out under the Upper Waihou Riparian Strategy since 2012. The native corridor will increase biodiversity habitat for both terrestrial and aquatic species, and connect with the ‘Restore Nature, Connecting Communities’ programme (Source to the Sea) for the Waihou River, which aims to establish ecological corridors from the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park to the Firth of Thames. 

Students from Te Poi School help with planting.

The broader project has had a working group of stakeholders, including Raukawa Charitable Trust, Department of Conservation, Fish and Game, Federated Farmers, Matamata Piako and South Waikato district councils, and we’ve been working in collaboration with the landowners abounding the Waiomou Stream.

Apart from improving stream bank stability and water quality, this project will enable cultural harvest and community recreation opportunities, including swimming and fishing.