Kaitiakitanga
Pukerewa A Trust ("the Trust") has numerous high value environmental as well as cultural sites of significance. These include an extensive coastal margin which is a designated 'Significant Natural Area' of regional importance and a large coastal forest remnant which is likely to contain threatened species of endemic flora and fauna.
Fences on the native bush boundary were in a dilapidated state and were unlikely to contain livestock for much longer. Renewing the boundary fence with a conventional eight wire, five batten fence; native planting; and zoning off areas for reversion to native bush will improve the stock management; pasture management; and protect the whenua from damage caused by overgrazing, feral species and erosion.
Callum Bourke (Waikato Regional Council Catchment Management Officer) and Meryl Carter (Kaitakawaenga, Nga Whenua Rahui) are working with the trustees to support our aspirations and initiatives to preserve and protect our whenua for the prosperity of our whānau and future generations.
Timeline...
March 2016
The trustees met Dr Patel Singh to discuss our goals for sustainable environmental management, including pending legislation fencing off waterways, wetlands and coastal areas.
November 2018
The trustees and staff met with Callum Bourke to discuss shared interests and opportunities for environmental protection and enhancement.
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Above left, Callum Bourke, Andrew Foote, Mike Chambers-Raroa, Shane Jones. Images of erosion and land movement
occuring on Ladder's coast above right.
New 2.5km Conventional Fence on the bush boundary
December 2018
The trustees and Waikato Regional Council signed off the first environmental programme agreement. The Agreement co-funds the replacement of 2.5km of conventional fencing on the bush boundary.
March 2019
The trustees sought expressions of interest from contractors in the Waikato. Contracts were awarded to Hill Country Fencing (2016) Ltd in Glen Murray and Blair Smith Contracting Ltd in Rotongaro. Contractors and staff did a review and plan of the works required for the boundary fence.
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Far left, Mike Chambers-Raroa, Shane Jones, Campbell Bryce and Blair Smith reviewing the proposed boundary fenceline
and the earthworks required to improve access and soil stability.
April 2019
Blair Smith Contracting commenced work installing new culverts to direct surface water runoff and to reduce the impacts of soil erosion and movement. Constructing new tracks has improved overall safety and accessibility, opening up hard to reach areas to fencing contractors, livestock and farm vehicles.
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Above, new farm tracks and laneways.
April 2019
The Hill Country fencing crew commenced work on the bush boundary after the digger had laid new tracks.
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New 2.5km of eight wire, five batten conventional fence replacing the original fenceline.
May 2019
The Waikato Regional Council visits the Trust and signs off the completion of the fencing project. "The quality of the digger (excavation) work and the fencing looks really great". sic Callum Bourke 22/05/19
Native Planting Programme
September 2020
The Trust and Waikato Regional Council (WRC) signed off the second environmental programme agreement with co-funding from the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) 1 Billion Trees (1BT). This Agreement focused on the native planting of high-risk erosion prone land and the rehabilitation of high-value wetlands which were previously surrounded by pine plantations. Now that the pines have been harvested and the bulk of the invasive weeds controlled, the Trust would like to retire and rehabilitate these areas utilising the appropriate native species.
January & June 2021
The PGF investment funded the fencing and digger works on the planting sites and wetland crossings, excluding the kawenata wetland areas funded by Nga Whenua Rahui. Hill Country Fencing completed new fences on the former Pine Block, Bottom Bull, Fern Gully and Peninsular wetlands. These areas were sprayed out for pampas and weeds, and grazed out in preparation for planting. Native species such as Nikau Palm, Cabbage Tree, Manuka, Kanuka, Harakeke, etc, will make a significant impact on reducing erosion and protecting the health, ecology and biodiversity of our whenua. Blair Smith Contracting did the digger works improving accessibility to new fencelines, planting sites and wetland crossings.
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From top far left new tracks and culvert crossing installed on the wetlands and digger work done on former Pine Block to
improve accessibility and fence lines for fencers.
July 2021
The trustees held a powhiri on the 11th July 2021 to formally welcome the planting crew from Native Awa Nurseries. Planting commenced the following day with Callum Bourke and Tahau Paki from Waikato Regional Council arriving on farm to check on the rollout. A few days later, Meryl Carter from Nga Whenua Rahui visited the Trust to see how the kawenata fencing project was coming along, while stopping to check out the planting works on the former Pine Block. The planting finished up on 29th July 2021, our heartfelt thanks to the Native Awa team for an amazing job and achieving the planting project on target and on budget. Well done guys!
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Top far left, powhiri for Native Awa Planting crew, second row planting in progress and bottom far left is Callum Bourke,
Tahau Paki, JR Castillo and far right, Meryl Carter.
