Margaret Peace

An inspiration to many

A seven-year project to restore native planting on the edges of the Wairau River is being handed on to the Marlborough District Council to maintain, with councillors applauding the inspirational vision of Margaret Peace and her Tua Marina Landcare Group for the work that’s been done.

Councillors described Margaret Peace as a visionary who pioneered the planting of native species in Marlborough, an inspirational person who should be recognised for her significant influence on attitudes to the restoration of indigenous planting.

The restoration project has involved more than 4000 hours of voluntary labour and more than $15,000 in donations, to plant a strip of land of more than a hectare along the Blind Creek outlet, downstream of the State Highway One bridge over the Wairau River.

It’s been a huge project, evolving from Mrs Peace’s first steps to begin planting indigenous species on her Tua Marina property 37 years ago.

Council already maintains many hectares of indigenous plantings on river control reserve land and Councillors agree that Council should take over the continuing maintenance of the Blind River strip. There is more river control reserve adjacent and its possible that, as funds become available, the original area planted by Margaret and her volunteers can be further extended.