Waiomoko Restoration Project

Project Outline

The aim of the project is to build whānau capability and connection through hands-on care of the whenua whilst improving freshwater health and resilience of the awa.

This is the first project for Ahu Whenua Trust supporting native planting through a whānau working bee. The group includes 20+ whānau members, with active planters, kai preparation by both tamariki and kaumātua.  The project includes professional guidance on appropriate species, spacing and planting approaches, particularly given periodic flooding of the river. 

Learning Goals

This kaupapa builds whānau knowledge and capability to support ongoing restoration and future projects on our whenua. 
Improved freshwater health along the Waiomoko River through native planting, increased resilience of the river and strengthened whānau connection to the whenua through collective, hands on kaitiakitanga.

Outcomes

A whānau hui was held to develop a restoration plan for the Waiomoko Awa alongside B8, with guidance from environmental advisor Steph Gardner (Whangara Community Catchment Group and Trees That Count). The hui combined local knowledge with technical expertise to identify suitable native species for the flood-prone site and establish a staged planting plan focused on an area already supporting existing native vegetation.

Advice was also provided on long-term weed and pest plant management, including the control of invasive species such as willow, Chinese privet and tradescantia. The group recognised that ongoing maintenance would be critical to the success of the project, while also acknowledging the site's strong restoration potential due to the absence of stock and the presence of established native plants. The hui provided a clear framework for restoring the awa and improving the long-term health and resilience of the riparian environment. 

The project has a clear starting point and helped build whānau involvement and commitment to caring for the awa and whenua over the long term.