Progress to Date - Phase 1

Phase 1 - Herehere Stream to Gilpin Drain

Progress on Phase One – Havelock North - Herehere Stream to Gilpin Drain.

The enhancement works began on 7 March 2007, starting with earthworks to develop wetland areas adjacent to the main stream channel. We had great weather and the works progressed well. An opening ceremony and blessing for the project was held on 28 April 2007 and the primary planting began in early May. The plantings survived first a drought and then a flood and are doing well. The enhancement section can be reached by walking along the stream from Anderson Park orHavelock Road and crossing the Herehere Stream.

Alternatively a new walkway will be opened soon from Te Aute Road following the Herehere Stream down to the Karamu.

7 March 2007 - "BEFORE"

View south from the Herehere of the
Karamu Stream - great weather for
starting restoration!

7 March 2007 - Digging begins

Breaking ground - the digging begins!

12 March 2007 - Wetland No. 1

Wetland 1 full of water with duck weed already
taking up residence.

28 April 2007 – Opening Ceremony and Blessing

Eileen von Dadelszen (Regional Council
Chairman) begins the speeches.

14 May 2007 – Primary Planting Underway

Fast growing native species are planted
in the newly created wetlands.

20 July 2007 – The First Flood!

After surviving a drought the plantings
experienced their first flood – what
a beginning!

29 August 2007 – Bring on Spring!

The plantings bounced back well
after their first flood and should take
off this spring.

5 December 2007 - Getting Weedy

Things are looking a little messy as the weeds have had a great spring, but the natives are holding their own. We will be stepping up weed management over the rest of summer.

19 March 2008 - Toi-riffic Growth

The native plants have grown remarkably in their first year and after regular weed control we can now see them! The Toi Toi are leading the way, with the cabbage trees not far behind. If you are down there for a wander also look out for some of the burgeoning carex grasses - they look fantastic.

4 July 2008 - A Wetland Developing

Parts of the site are really beginning to look like
a proper wetland. The wetland ponds appear
stable and these cabbage trees show how well
the plants are doing. Weeds are still an on-
going battle, but we can't wait to see what the
area will look like in 5 years time!

19 August 2008 – Another Flood Survived

The plants experienced another flood in late July but bounced back so quickly it hardly seemed like there was one.

15 October 2008 – Oh No! Cows!

Unfortunately cows got into our plantings for a short while eating their way through some weeds plus nibbling some flaxes and cabbage trees. The fence was fixed and we expect the plants to recover and keep on growing.

3 December 2008 – The First Flowers

The Toetoe, flaxes and carex have all begun to flower this year. It looks great in a light breeze with the feathery heads nodding as far as the eye can see.

23 February 2009 Return of the Weeds

We are trialing a variety of weed maintenance methods to determine the best ‘bang for buck’. While we are focusing on the newly planted wetland, Council’s weed boat cruises past cutting the aquatic plant pests in the stream.

4 May 2009 – Check Out That Growth!

Things seem to have exploded in the last couple of months. The Toetoe are over head height, the carex are like giant cushions and umbrella sedges have sprung up from nowhere.

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