A $50,000 contribution to the restoration of Pekapeka Wetland comes today just as work on the project has paused to allow birdlife an uninterrupted nesting season. Contractors stopped three weeks ago and will resume again in November. “Wildlife has been given precedence over contractors,” said Peter Dunkerley, chairman of the Community Foundation (Hawke’s Bay). He handed the cheque to Alan Dick, Chairman of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council with an offer of more to come. The Community Foundation has a fund named Friends of Pekapeka dedicated to helping restore the 97-hectare remnant of natural wetland. Wildlife is already returning as a result of the project managed by the Regional Council. Other groups, including schools and shooters, are also assisting by getting involved in planting areas around the wetland. “It has been wonderful to get such great community support, especially with this extra funding,” said Chairman Alan Dick. “We look forward to completing this site so that people can wander through the wetland and discover this historic and interesting place.” Pekapeka wetland is a natural historical and cultural feature at the entry to the Heretaunga Plains, alongside State Highway 2. The area, especially the hills to the south of Pakipaki as far as Te Aute, once carried a large Maori population. Several events that had considerable influence on the history of Heretaunga took place there.
Wetlands work as a ‘nursery’ for the ecological system, providing breeding places for insects, fish and birds. They also work to improve downstream water quality. At Pekapeka Maori once operated eel farms. Planting of the interpretation area will occur during next autumn (2010), with the boardwalk through the swamp to be built during autumn and winter. Mr Dunkerley said the foundation planned to continue contributing toward the interpretation site and walkway. All sums collected are dedicated through its special fund, the Friends of Pekapeka. Supporters have included the Kingdom Foundation, Stortford Lodge Rotary and Eastern & Central Community Trust. The first stage of development, the layby and the parking area, has been completed by Regional Council contractors. The Council will be installing information panels eventually, so people can learn more about plants, the wildlife and the water values. A boardwalk and toilet will complete the facility. Fulton Hogan, contractor for the road works, has added a carpark sediment trap free-of-charge as a contribution to this community facility. The total funding allocated for this project is $600,000 which has been contributed to significantly by a Lottery Board Grant of $317,000. |