Bridging the gap with rural New Zealand
OPINION: One thing I keep hearing from rural New Zealanders is the importance of relationships. Strong relationships don’t just happen - they take trust, consistency, and time.
The Taiea te Taiao project is set to link Maungatautari and Mt Pirongia by planting along the Mangapiko Stream and its tributaries, on farms and other projects.
A wide range of other environmental work is also underway, including the restoration of wetlands and predator control.
Project coordinator Bexie Towle says a key goal of the project is to create stepping stones along the corridor that provide stopping points for native birds and bats to rest and feed, mostly by planting trees.
“This will help increase wildlife numbers and biodiversity,” Towle says.
The two mountains are more than 40km apart, so the whole community is involved.
Dairy farmer Bush Macky says it’s a ‘fabulous’ project at the heart of the community.
“It’s so rewarding working with the hundreds of people and more than 20 organisations involved, including DairyNZ and dairy companies, to help native wildlife thrive and enhance local waterways,” Macky says.
At the Mt Pirongia end of the corridor, on their farm Macky and his family have planted more than 15,000 trees and plants.
They created a duck pond surrounded by planting and retired some land from farming.
He says there’s been no loss in farm production and no impact on business viability.
“It’s a win-win,” he explains. “We’ve added value to the community and our property. We’re seeing more native birds on our farm than ever before.”
So far, more than 200,000 plants have been added to the corridor. Nine kilometres of waterways have been fenced to protect them and native trees planted alongside.
Erosion control and willow removal is also underway on the Mangapiko Stream. The corridor planting is regularly maintained, with weed control across 22 hectares. A comprehensive pest management programme includes trap lines and bait station networks on both maunga, and traps on private property.
More than 20 organisations are involved in the Taiea te Taiao project including funders, sponsors and supporters. The Ministry for the Environment provides funding through the Freshwater Initiatives Fund for two employees, and NZ Landcare Trust coordinates the project.
The project is celebrating its two-year anniversary on 28 November on Bill Garland’s farm, next to the Maungatautari native wildlife sanctuary (Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari).
The evening celebration will include a barbecue and storytelling. Pekapeka/bats may be seen, and kiwi calls may be heard. The Mangapiko Stream is visible here, where it first comes off Maungatautari.
