Whāngārā Community Catchment Group
Whāngārā korero
The WCCG was formed as an incorporated society in November 2022 and consists of 29 members - farmers, foresters, lifestyle block owners and local hapu Ngati Konohi.
Our purpose is to connect the Whangara community through the protection, restoration and enhancement of the whenua (land)and water (wai) which will enable a healthy community and environment.
Historical Milestones and Events
-Hosted two annual pest control Competitions with a total of 2100 pests eliminated in the catchment.
-Wetland Restoration Project in progress kick started by funding from Landcare/Westpac to restore habitat and protect endangered wetland birds the spotless crake, fernbird and bittern through plantings and pest control
-Renovation of community cottage
-Multiple community workshops
-Supported Farmers in recovery post cyclone gabrielle
-Ongoing work with Wai Connections in monitoring and restoring inanga spawning zones
News / Media
Leading from the Land - Engagement Grant
Project Outline
Funding for the Whangara Pest Control Community Event the weekend of the19th-21st of September 2025
Aims
To encourage participation of local rangatahi in taiao
Outcomes
The Whangara Catchment Cull weekend (September 19th–21st) was a huge success with 20 teams entered and 110 participants. 70 children took part, directly supporting the aim of instilling a connection with nature in future generations. The effort and enthusiasm of the teams resulted in 1,400 pests culled, including: 683 possums, 409 goats, 21 deer, 232 pest birds, 25 vermin, and 2 ferrets - a dramatic increase, achieving twice the previous year's total.
This culling provides a clear snapshot of the severe pest problem decimating the area. The success culminated at the Whangara Community Cottage, where over 150 people attended the grand prizegiving, complete with entertainment and spot prizes.
A highlight was the Whangara School trapping team, who caught a ferret at the Kotimutu wetland the school is working to restore.
“It has taken a lot of mahi for our catchment group to come together before the formation of LFTL- we are so relieved to have a collaborative organisation working across Tairawhiti to support new and existing catchment groups and for us to work more efficiently, sharing our learnings and projects recognising we are all connected across the community and landscape”.
Sarah Williams - Whāngārā Catchment Community
Leading from the Land - Project Grant 1
Project Outline
Funding to support the operational viability and governance of Whāngārā Community Catchment Group as an incorporated society. The funding will enable administration, accounting, insurance, and facilitator time to ensure sustainable catchment operations.
Aims
Strengthen the governance and operational sustainability of the Whāngārā Catchment Group.
Maintain coordination and delivery of catchment activities across 3 years.
Support local landowners to implement practical environmental actions and build community leadership capacity.
Outcomes
Funding has been used to support essential coordination, governance, and administrative activities that underpin the organisation's environmental and community initiatives.
Key achievements include collaboration with partners on īnanga restoration, water quality monitoring, catchment planning, and wetland planting initiatives. The funding also supported governance responsibilities, including committee meetings, AGM preparation, Incorporated Society compliance, financial administration, and strategic planning.
Overall, the activities demonstrate effective investment in organisational capacity and relationship building, helping to strengthen the foundation for ongoing environmental restoration and catchment management. The work undertaken contributes to the planning, coordination, and governance necessary to deliver long-term outcomes.
Leading from the Land - Project Grant 2
Project Outline
Support to investigate solutions for the control and elimination of pest animal species.
Aims
Implement a pilot project to investigate innovative solutions for the control of pest animal species including deer and goats, possums, mustelids and other pest animal species.
Develop pest control methods that can be practically implemented and that generate income.
Enable a system that can be applied to other parts of the rohe.
Outcomes
This funding has allowed the WCCG to collaborate with experts and locals alike pulling together a pilot study report developing and assessing pest control methods for deer, goats and possums that can be practically implemented, and that have potential to generate income, ensuring the long-term sustainability of both the control effort and the catchment group. The report clearly breaks down the costs and potential income that can be generated for each of the pest species which can be extrapolated for the next Phase of the pilot (implementation) in Whangara and can be applied by other catchment groups in the region. Multiple experts advised on the costs and practical implementation of the pest control and all were very generous not charging their time so that all the fund went towards the facilitators time in consultation, collaboration and the writing of the pilot study.
There is a clear directive on the next steps required for the effective control of deer, goats and possums. Helicopter harvesting has just commenced and farmer buy in and awareness around the need to control these species is increasing.
"This is a resource that is robust, timely and needed both in our region and for catchment groups across the country. The learning opportunity from this paper is not insignificant. I would love to see additional resource made available as part of the next phase of the project to design illustrations and infographics of the methodologies used, to make them easy to implement for landowners and catchment groups. The methodologies and discussion pieces are very relatable and are what Southland, Otago, West Coast and many regions are calling out for at this time as well as here in Tairawhiti."
Sam “the Trap Man” Gibson
Whāngārā online
Fostering the collective well-being of Tairāwhiti Catchments
