$100k grant to help protect Whakakī Lake

Whakakī Lake trustee Trevor Waikawa shows the height this karo, or pittosporum, should be. The native tree, one of thousands planted in the wetlands, has been the victim of pests. Pictures by Jack Ward, Wairoa Star

by Jack Ward, Wairoa Star

Protection against pests in native fauna and flora is coming to the Whakakī Lake Trust.

The trust will receive $113,900 for the pest control project from the Department of Conservation Community Fund Pūtea Tautiaki Hapori.

It is one of 38 successful groups to receive funding from a pool of $9.3 million.

Whakakī Lake trustee Trevor Waikawa said the benefits would be for future generations to enjoy.

“The main goal of the trust is to protect and restore. I will be lucky to see the benefits. However, it will be my kids and grandkids who will see the benefits.”

The funding was meant to be received around February, but Cyclone Gabrielle caused a delay in the timeline.

“We have planted 15,000 new trees. The key is to protect native flora and fauna.”

The funding over a three-year period will be used to put in predator trapping and bait stations around the wetlands to protect threatened native bird species, such as matuku-hūrepo/Australasian bittern, Caspian tern and grey duck.

Mr Waikawa said pest control in the Whakakī wetlands was not a new thing.

“This is a natural wetland so there are lots of pests. We did something 12 to 15 years ago, but infrastructure and maintenance broke down and this is following that work.

“It is about protecting the investment. A lot of time and money goes into this mahi.

“The best way to do restoration is to do it properly.”

Pests to eradicate include rabbits, hares, rats and mustelids that cause havoc to the ecosystem.

“They invade nesting areas, eat eggs and offspring. Sometimes they will not eat the eggs but they will break them — living up to their title of invasive species.”

Flora does not escape.

“They will eat the growing plants and the seeds that drop off. It is like lollies to kids.

“Growing in coastal conditions is hard enough with the sandy soil. On top of that you have pests.”

Spring is the crucial part of the year to make a dent in the pest population, he says.

“You have increased numbers over spring with more mouths to feed. So we need to protect these trees.”

Traps and bait stations are most active over spring and summer, and local hunters have been called in to add firepower.

“We are targeting that time so we can get on top of the pests.”

The fund will contribute to added employment for an extra one or two staff, plus five seasonal workers already employed.

The drive to protect native species extends to the awa and  the water quality and the species that live there, like eel and flounder.

Returning the area back to its prime drives the mahi of the trust.

“Water quality, carbon and biodiversity are the biggest ones, and returning the native bush back to how it once was. If the land and water are healthy, the people are healthy.”