Whangawehi Group leaders thrilled at award

Whangawehi Catchment Group leader Kathleen Moto with Lisa Delaney and Elliot New from Te Mahia School planting at the catchment.

Whangawehi Catchment Group team leaders believe their dedication to preserving the environment was at the centre of their Green Ribbon Awards win on Thursday night.

Group leader Kathleen Mato, who established the group back in 2009, said it was really good news that they won the supreme award and exciting for them going forward.

"We just want to keeping sending the message that encourages people to become involved in the preservation of the environment like what we are doing."

Chairman Pat O'Brien was at the awards and described the moment as "overwhelming", as they had been a contestant for four years but hadn't taken the title.

The group have played a pivotal part in protecting the freshwater quality in the Whangawehi Catchment, on the Mahia Peninsula, and since their drive have improved the Whangawehi River quality by 15 per cent.

"We have got all but one farmer in the catchment on board and it has made a huge difference," Ms Mato said.

The catchment runs through farmland and adjacent to forestry, which means there is a lot of run off.

"It is not easy but we have created a riparian strip either side of the river to keep the everything at bay and we have improved erosion by fencing off the area."

Since starting the project the group has planted up to 20,000 plants and this work is set to continue well into the future.

"We are now also focusing on the eradication of pests as well as looking at developing proper walkways through the catchment for visitors to enjoy."

Ms Mato said during the last two summers they allowed people to ride bikes and walk along a track, which ended up out by the sea.

The group hold community planting days and meetings where family and friends can get together and do their part to help improve fresh water quality.

"The only thing is we need to find more funding, as it is getting dampened down with the introduction of new environmental projects."

Mr O'Brien said to be sustainable and for them to carry on with their long-term vision, sponsorship was needed.

"It has been a successful community project so far but to look to the future we need to look at our funding."

For more information and to see how you can help visit whangawehi.com/about/.