What's Happening in our Catchment 2024 

Awarua Farm Community Planting Day – 6th July

Join us for a community planting day at Awarua Farm on the 6th of July! This event marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to restore native ecosystems within the Piako Catchment. Awarua Farm, situated near the confluence of the Piako and Waitoa Rivers and adjacent to the Kopuatai Peat Dome, is a prime location for ecological restoration.

Event Details:

  • Date: 6th July
  • Time: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Location: Awarua Farm, near the Kopuatai Peat Dome

What to Expect:

  • Planting Activities: We will be planting 1,500 native plants, including kahikatea, in areas previously dominated by weeds like privet. This planting will help restore the natural forest structure and enhance biodiversity.
  • Community Involvement: This is a fantastic opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals passionate about conservation. Whether you’re an experienced volunteer or a first-timer, your contribution will make a significant impact.
  • Guidance and Support: Our team, including ecological experts from Titoki Landcare, will be on hand to provide guidance and ensure the planting is done effectively.

Preparation:

  • What to Bring: Please wear sturdy footwear and bring gardening gloves if you have them. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle. If you have a spade or trowel, feel free to bring it along, although we will have some available.
  • Food and Refreshments: Join us of a BBQ after our fantastic planting efforts

Impact of Your Participation:

  • Restoring Ecosystems: Your efforts will contribute to the restoration of a vital ecosystem. The planted native species will provide habitat for birds, insects, and other wildlife, improving the ecological health of the area.
  • Community Building: Engaging in community planting fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and learn more about local conservation efforts.

Registration:

  • How to Sign Up: To participate, please Click Here to register. This helps us ensure we have enough tools and refreshments for everyone.

Your involvement is vital to the success of this project and to the broader goal of restoring native forests and wetlands within the Piako Catchment.

Let’s come together on the 6th of July to make a lasting difference in our environment. See you there!

Totara Forest Community Planting Day at Morris Family Farm

 

 

Event Highlights: What an incredible Community Planting Day at Morris Family Farm! Thanks to everyone's dedication and generous support, we're not just planting trees—we're cultivating Totara forests that will thrive for generations to come!

We had over 60 enthusiastic volunteers come together to plant 1,000 native plants. The spirit of collaboration was truly inspiring, and seeing so many people come together to share a story or two created a memorable day that strengthened old friendships and sparked new ones.

Special Thanks: A huge thank you to Tauta and the Morrinsville Lions Club for serving refreshments and keeping everyone's spirits high throughout the day. Your support made this event even more special and enjoyable for all participants.

Community Impact: This planting day is more than just an environmental effort; it’s a community-building event that brings people together for a common cause. The new totara forest will not only enhance local biodiversity but also serve as a lasting legacy for future generations.

Stay Connected: We’d love for you to stay connected with us for more updates and upcoming events. Your involvement is super important in helping our community and forests thrive sustainably. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with our latest news and volunteer opportunities.

Together, we can make a significant impact on our environment and community. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this wonderful initiative. Let’s continue to work together to nurture our natural heritage!

Community Planting Day - te ngahere o Waharoa

Saturday 12th June 2021

Community Planting Day

 

Friends of Hawes Bush 

Beetle Collecting 

It is coming up to beetle collecting time again and we are looking for individuals to come learn more about Tradescantia and help collect beetles to move to a new site.

Please get in contact through either our Facebook or email if you are interested.

Once we have expression of interest then we will look to set a date and time for this little adventure.

Check out the photos and video from our collecting day in 2018.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/local-focus-leaf-stem-and-leaf-tip-bugs-unite-in-battle-against-tradescantia-weed/OGTHEFJBXGVTUZ6C6T2OBVK7PE/

Morrinsville River Walk Project (Clean up the River Campaign)

Clean Up Dates 

The project is back in 2021. On every other weekend on a weed-busting mission.

For more information please contact

milan@thelateraline.com

National Events 2021

1st February  - World Wetlands Day

6-14th March - Seaweek

What's happening in the Waikato:

Marine Matters Science Night 

Date: Tuesday 3rd of March 2021 at 6.30pm 

Location: Orca Restaurant and Bar, 2 Wallis Street, Raglan 

Contact: Stine Sorensen marine@whaingaroa.org.nz 

Details:   

We are hosting a Marine Matters Science Night on the 2nd of March. The event is themed Mātai Moana and will focus on Mātauranga Māori in marine science. These events are open to everyone who has an interest in Marine Science and allows our community to interact with researchers and is intended to inspire conversation and action on coastal issues.

The first speaker will be Megan Pareue Ranapia, who is a UoW PhD student and of Te Patuwai and Ngāti Pukeko (Ngāti Awa) and Ngāti Mahuta (Tainui) descent. She will be talking about her project which encompasses a co-developed mātauranga Māori and science approach to inform marine research and management. It includes a case study of the eleven-armed starfish, pātangaroa (Coscinasterias muricata) overabundance in Ōhiwa Harbour.
The second speaker of the night will be Dr João Souza from MetOcean, who will be talking about the national project “Moana” which aims to update our knowledge of ocean circulation of Aotearoa and also incorporates Mātauranga Māori. 

Cost: Free

22nd March - World Water Day 

www.worldwaterday.org/

22nd May - International Biodiversity Day 

June 5th - World Environment Day

June 5th - Arbor Day 

June 26th to July 4th - New Zealand Garden Bird Survey

www.gardenbirdsurvey.landcareresearch.co.nz/

September - Conservation Week

September 5th to 11th - Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean up Week

www.knzb.org.nz/clean-up-week/

September 27th - World Rivers Day 

www.worldriversday.com/

October 16th - World Climate Action Day

For events or support needed during planting or other catchment activities please contact us. For contact information please see our 'Contact Us' page.