Pakawau Seafront Planting

The Pakawau dune replanting group in Golden Bay is the model of how it should be done, says Rob Lewis of Coast Care, a community-based programme funded by Tasman District Council.

The group was formed about six years ago, but had to wait a while before enough native plants such as spinifex and pingao became available. They are now working on the Esplanade Reserve, removing exotic plants, replacing them with natives, weeding, and nurturing the natural biodiversity of the dunes.

Group member Marion Corby says “It’s not just doing – it’s really learning about the sandy beach and how it functions.”

Plantings are held once a month, followed by a shared lunch, and are a social occasion involving locals, bach-owners and visitors, she says. About a dozen people turn up, armed with spades, and they put in about 300-400 plants.

They have so far restored about a kilometre of beachfront with thousands of plants. The next working bee is on Sunday 23 September.

Meanwhile, the national gathering of dune restorers will be held in Nelson and Golden Bay next March, with over 100 delegates expected. The conference is being organised by representatives from the Department of Conservation and Tasman District Council.