Information at Hand on Coastal Ecosystem

Visitors to popular coastal areas in New Plymouth can now learn more about the environment around them.

Four large signs have been installed to provide information about the animals and plants that make up the surrounding ecosystem.

Created by New Plymouth District Council and funded by AWE and the Tui joint venture partners, the signs focus on four distinct habitats at Nga Motu/Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Reserve, Kawaroa, and along the Coastal Walkway at East End and The Links.

AWE spokesperson Tracey Phelan says the signs are a perfect fit for the company. “We are very passionate about caring for the Taranaki coastline and also educating locals and visitors alike about the awareness of protecting the special coastal features.”

Mayor Harry Duynhoven says educating users about coastal flora and fauna will improve understanding about the steps being taken to protect them.

“The signs will raise awareness about the animals and plants in these areas that need protecting, whether from dogs, pollution or people,” he says. “For instance people might not see penguins nesting along our coastline but they are there, and vulnerable.

“But also the information signs provide a larger picture of our coastal ecosystem and the variety of plants and animals that can be found.”

The signs are:

• Protecting Marine Life (Centennial Drive top car park). The sign has information about the ecology of the Nga Motu/Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Park and the islands, and what people can look out for.

• The Rocky Shore (Kawaroa). School classes visit this area as part of their studies, and the sign captures a lot of the information that is relevant to them and the general public.

• Welcome to our Coastline (East End sand dunes). This has information on the coastal processes, and the plants used on sand dunes and why they are important.

• Shore birds and lizards (Coastal Walkway at The Links). This covers animals ranging from the little blue penguin through to the Taranaki skink.