2099_Waiau Uwha Restoration
Key messages
What’s the vision?
To restore the Waiau Uwha by clearing it of predators and weeds and creating a biodiversity corridor from Twin Bridges to Waiau township to ensure native flora and fauna and local communities flourish.
Where are we now?
The Waiau Uwha is one of seven braided alpine rivers that provide 88% of the Canterbury flow
The stretch between Twin Bridges and Waiau township is 18km long, and is one of the most dynamic braided river sections in NZ. It’s a huge asset to our local communities
As part of the Jobs for Nature initiative, there’s an opportunity for the 20-24 local landowners along the north and south bank of this 18km stretch to access funding and work together to restore the Waiau Uwha
A restoration project of this magnitude would have a transformative impact on the health of the river, our local communities and the surrounding environments we live in
An experimental restoration project is already underway along the Waiau Uwha (with a second starting imminently), and can act as the blueprint for additional projects along the river
A blueprint for ‘true restoration’
One of the 24 landowners (John Faulkner), is currently undertaking a major restoration project at 758 Mouse Point Road, along the south bank of the Waiau Uwha
2.5 hectares of previously wasted river boundary land has been cleared of Gorse, Blackberry and Broom and other obstructions
Botany expert Sue McGaw has compiled a list of 43 species of native plant that would naturally grow in the area and are most likely to survive the harsh dryland environment
The plants (many of which are unavailable in nurseries) have also been selected to provide a year-round smorgasbord of bird food
Since September 2020, over 3,000 natives have been planted together in ‘biodiversity nodes’ - groupings of plants that are often found together in nature
The plants include Totara, Mahoe, Five Fingers, Fuchsia, Golden Cottonwood, Maori Jasmine and more (the full list of 43 plants is available to share)
Contact: John Faulkner lockerbie.tce@xtra.co.nz
Mobile 021 189 3370
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