Over 70% of our dune systems nationally have been modified due to farming. With138kms of beaches and 202km of cliffs on the East Coast they are an integral part of our farming systems, particularly in the Makorori Beach environment. Much of the farmland at Makorori is a dune/coastal cliff environment with a flow of ecological assets and threats from the unfarmed to farmed dunes and unfarmed and farmed coastal cliffs. It is also worth noting that much of the dune system along Makorori Beach is owned by the Ferris whanau and held in a Maori trust block. 

This project is a collaboration between the farmers and wider residential community to protect and enhance the highest value ecological assets within the catchment. It is natural that over time this project will be extended to build on this network will incorporate the gully systems within the farms. 

MEPS is still learning what works best in local conditions, and this project supports an adaptive, learning-by-doing approach where action and refinement occur together. 

In 2026, MEPS will trial new approaches to pest control, community-scale dune plant propagation, and project coordination to build long-term community capability to respond to environmental challenges along the Makorori coastline.

Project Collaborators  

Whaia Titirangi – sharing mātauranga and technical knowledge on dune restoration and plant 
propagation 
Gisborne District Council (Oriana Ross) – ongoing technical and organisational support 
Nga Manu Waiata – alignment with neighbouring pest control efforts 
Makorori community – volunteers, residents, and local landowners contributing time, labour, 
and local knowledge 
Tai Ora Surf School in Uawa – volunteers and education around dune ecosystems and 
importance of resilience

Project Learning Aims

1 - Pest Control

MEPS will trial a self-setting trapping network along the coastal cliff reserve and farmland boundary, alongside traditional trapping methods in dune areas. 

MEPS will trial an alternating network of self resetting traps and DOC200s paired with Trapinator single set traps along the coastal cliff reserve and farmland boundary. This trial is targeting both possums and stoats in an effort to protect shore nesting and coastal cliff birds such as Korora (Little Blue Penguins) who are known to nest here, tarāpunga (Red Billed Gulls) of which there is a historic nesting population and potentially Grey Faced Petrel as well as Sooty Shearwaters in future. The trial will be run for 12 months and is tasked with understanding which trapping methodology is more effective at controlling stoats and possums while taking into account trapping effort. 

A secondary trial will be conducted utilising a 25 trap strong snap trap network aimed at protecting the lizard community of Makorori including shore skinks, northern grass skinks, copper skinks, raukawa gecko and forest gecko. The trial will alternate lure types to find the best lure in this unique ecosystem through the seasons. 

Key learnings will include: 
● Effectiveness of trapping approaches on farm and dune environments 
● Pest movement patterns and interactions with recreational users 
● Feasibility of extending the approach to Makorori Headland and along the wider beach 
system

2 - Plant propagation 

The project will trial community-scale propagation of Hebe Tairāwhiti (at risk) , Tauhinu, Raukumera (critically endangered), spinifex/ kōwhangatara and pingao from locally collected seed and cuttings.

● Success factors for establishing and maintaining small local greenhouses 
● Improving self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on off-site nurseries 
● Sharing propagation knowledge with other groups such as Wainui Coastal Care, Whaia 
Titirangi and Tai Ora (Uawa dune restoration).

Project coordination and community capability 

After two planting seasons delivered entirely by volunteers, MEPS aims to learn what level of 
coordination is required to sustain and grow this work. Project coordination will ensure the running of the Incorporated Society including seeking additional funding and leading the day to day running needs of the group. 

Project Timeline

 Start Date: March 2026   Project End Date: March 2027