<- Homepage: Awa restoration field trip.
Welcome to Waipoua
Taoho Tane, the Kaiwhakahaere Matua for Te Roroa, welcomes you to Waipoua and talks about the inspiration 19th Century Te Roroa chief Tūohu provides for Te Toa Whenua and today's Waipoua Awa restoration kaupapa.
- What values and skills did Tūohu have?
- Investigate the history of a nearby awa and the people who lived beside it.
Waipoua catchment
Waipoua Awa begins its journey near the highest part of Te Tai Tokeau/Northland. From there it flows 17 kilometres through the catchment to the Tasman Sea/Te Tai-o-Rēhua. Matthew Calder from the Department of Conservation/Te Papa Atawhai explains how certain actions can help to reduce negative impacts that land use within the catchment might have on the health of Waipoua Awa.
- Describe in your own words what a catchment is.
- What are some of the activities within a catchment that might impact upon the health of an awa, either good or bad?
- What are some different ways that fencing near an awa might help with its restoration?
What's living in Waipoua awa?
In a healthy awa ecosystem you would expect to find a range of taonga species living in and around the awa. Check out what was caught in these fyke nets and g-minnow traps set overnight!
- What does the presence of certain macroinvertebrates say about the health of an awa?
- Investigate what's living in an awa near you to help assess its state of health.
The connection between the awa and the ngahere
Kauri are under threat from a disease known as kauri dieback. Kauri dieback is a microscopic, fungus-like disease that only affects kauri in Aotearoa. It can kill trees and seedlings of all ages. But what does the health of kauri have to do with the health of an awa?
- How does kauri dieback spread?
- Discuss what this statement means: "Our wellbeing relies on the wellbeing of our ecosystems".
Waipoua Nursery
Matthew Calder from the Department of Conservation/Te Papa Atawhai discusses the practice of ecosourcing seeds and the important role a plant nursery plays in restoration.
- Why is ecosourcing seeds a good idea?
- What sort of plants are good to put in first when restoring an area?
- Look out for restoration planting community days near you and give it a go!
Predator control in Waipoua forest
Find out why controlling introduced predators is important for the health of the ngahere, the awa, and the taonga species living in and around these environments.
- Why do you think Liam had the white covers on his boots?
- You could trap and monitor predators in your own back yard, and even become a pest detective!
A ford for people and fish
Matthew Calder from DOC explains how modifications to the Waipoua Awa ford is helping īnanga during their migratory journeys up-river.
- Why do the īnanga need a bit of help to get past the ford?
- What has been built into the ford to help īnanga?
- How does Matt and the team know if the solution is working?
Weed management in Waipoua
Managing weeds and replanting with native plants is a key part of most restoration kaupapa. It is important mahi that will help to re-establish native biodiversity within and around the awa.
- How would you define a weed?
- Why are weeds a problem?
- Check out Weedbusters and look into becoming a warrior in the war on weeds.
Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au I am the river, the river is me
Lindsay-John (L-J), Te Roroa Environs Kaiwhakahaere, shares a thoughtful kōrero about the valuable role we can all play when we practice kaitiakitanga of te taiao.
- Discuss the meaning behind Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au.
- Is there a natural feature near you that you feel or are connected to? Describe what this connection feels like.
- Challenge yourself to get involved in a restoration project near your place!
