Water future-proofs local wetland

MUCH NEEDED: Philip Benson, a volunteer with the Mangatarere Restoration Society in Carterton, uses a hose and Carterton District Council's fire truck to water native plants at the future wetland south of Carterton.PHOTO/ANDREW BONALLACK

Native plants in Carterton's burgeoning wetland will not be going thirsty this summer, thanks to the watering efforts of a committed group of volunteers.

About 2200 plants were donated by the regional council to the Carterton District Council's Daleton Farm wetland, and the Mangatarere Restoration Society, which manages the wetland project, has enlisted the help of the council fire truck to ensure the plants, planted in August, do not dry out over summer.

Tuesday marked the second spell of watering by society volunteers, with the plants likely to receive another four waterings .

The fire truck holds about 2 cubic metres of water and it takes about four hours to water half the plants by hand using a hose connected to the truck.

Society committee member and councillor Jill Greathead said Wairarapa was a beautiful place that deserved protecting.

"We live in paradise. This is paradise. I'm working in paradise and humanity has a responsibility to take action and respect the world that we live in."

The plants represented a significant investment and it was important they survived, especially with the recent hot weather, she said.

"When that happens that really dries everything out so this is a real problem for the future ... we've just got to keep at it."

The society's work could be compared to guardianship of a parent.

"Giving birth is the easy bit but it's the nurturing over the next 18 years which is the real commitment - planting is the easy bit, but it is the nurturing where you must make sure."

Wetlands were good at taking the "nasties" out of any form of catchment and it was hoped treated water from the wastewater plant could eventually be used in the wetland if consent was eventually approved, Mrs Greathead said.

"Wetlands are the lungs of our land and we want to create an environmentally sustainable system and if we can create that in our waste water treatment plant, wouldn't that be wonderful?"

About 30 volunteers were actively involved in the project but more would be welcomed, Mrs Greathead said.

"This is the community taking responsibility."