Community Turns out to Plant Lake Rototunas Shoreline

More than 700 trees and shrubs were planted on the shores of Lake Rototuna last week in an exercise involving Pouto School, the Pouto community, Kaipara District Council, the Department of Conservation and local Iwi - Te Uri O Hau.

The nine hectare dune lake is the most easily accessible on the Pouto Peninsula and is part of a system ranked as ‘ecologically outstanding’

A protection project was initiated by Kauri Coast Forest and Bird in 1999. It involves fencing to prevent stock access and replanting the lake’s margins with suitable native species. Since then it has become a joint venture between the local community, Department of Conservation, Kaipara District Council and Te Uri O Hau.

“The idea is to create a riparian buffer between agriculture and the lake, which would filter out nutrients and enhance the lake’s water quality for both aquatic and bird life,” says Kaipara District Council’s Community Spaces Manager Stephen Soole, who describes it as “a great project to be part of.”

Kaipara District Council has supported the project with grants from its Biodiversity Improvement Fund, which this year provided $2,500 for plants and fertiliser.

Last Friday (22 August) about 35 people, including almost all the pupils from Pouto School, plus parents, Iwi, Council personnel, plus Department of Conservation staff and Conservation Corps members planted between 700 and 800 Manuka, Coprosma, Flax, Cabbage Trees and other species. About 200 of these were planted by the children.

“The Pouto community have really taken this project to heart and the planting days are always very well supported,” Mr Soole says.”

About half the planned buffer zone, ranging from about 15 to 50 metres in width is now planted and Mr Soole estimates it will take another 10 years to complete this important work.

“But already it’s great to see that some of the original plantings are starting to flower and seed, meaning the natural process is starting to take over.”

Kaipara District Council is also looking at what can be done on the roadside to reduce the impact of dirty water coming off the road.