Grant supports Coromandel conservation project

Environment Waikato has awarded $19,500 to the Moehau Environment Group (MEG) to help with the conservation of a nationally important Coromandel wetland area.

MEG is an organisation working to protect the northern Coromandel Peninsula’s natural environment.

The money will help the group survey the condition of the wetlands, particularly the extent of invasive weeds, around Waikawau Bay, which lies between Kennedy Bay and Port Charles.

Covering about 62 hectares, the Waikawau Bay wetlands have high ecological and conservation values and are classified as nationally important. They are home to many indigenous plant and animal species, including several endangered marsh bird and shorebird species.

MEG has already carried out animal pest control at the site, with monitoring showing positive effects on bird life, particularly the New Zealand dotterel and the North Island fernbird. This year, a rare white heron was seen in the area for the first time in 50-75 years.

However, there is evidence of an explosion of saltwater paspalum and pampas in the estuary and wetlands over the past decade. These weeds can quickly dominate areas if left unchecked and also make the areas less suitable for native wildlife.

Environment Waikato’s grant will help to cover the cost of surveys to pinpoint the weed infestations and confirm the extent of the problem. This information will be fundamental to the success of future pest control programmes and effective management of the ecosystem.

The data collected will support the resource consent that will be needed to control weeds in the wetland in future.

Environment Committee chair Jane Hennebry said the project supported Environment Waikato’s goals for wetland protection and enhancement and could provide useful information for developing plant pest control programmes elsewhere in the region.

“The proposed work is a timely opportunity that fits with Environment Waikato’s desire to control saltwater paspalum in Waikato estuaries,” she said.

WWF-New Zealand has also contributed $19,000 to the Waikawau wetland restoration project through its Habitat Protection Fund.