A portion of the Albert Town Reserve near the Hāwea River has been fenced to enhance the  reserve with native plantings and encourage biodiversity.

In a joint venture between Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Wānaka’s Te Kākano Aoteroa Trust (TKAT), some wilding pines were removed and an area alongside the Wānaka Rodeo Club’s grounds was defined with rabbit-proof fencing to protect a number of native species including kānuka, matagouri and various turf community plants.

“There is a significant stand of Kunzea ericoides (kānuka) which is now at risk due to the myrtle disease,” TKAT manager Loran Verpillot said.

“About 20 percent of the plants we grow and plant are endangered or at risk, so it is important to continue this work.”

Rabbit-proof fencing defines the new area in the Albert Town Reserve identified in a joint council/Te Kākano biodiversity project. PHOTO: Wānaka App

The aim is to plant dryland, eco-sourced native species to restore native habitats for the insect and bird populations to thrive, and irrigation to allow their roots to become well established might be provided via portable water tanks.

Succession planting (introducing the more hardy species first and successively adding other species to expand the biodiversity over several years) is planned for the next planting season in 2023. 

“This is the first stage of fencing [and] it will hopefully be extended in future to encompass more of the reserve,” Loran said.

QLDC communications Sam White said this project and others like it contribute to meeting the goals set in the council’s climate and biodiversity plan.

TKAT has participated in a number of joint ventures with the QLDC over the last 12 years utilising land managed by the council. 

“Working with other organisations is beneficial for everyone; we are more efficient, we create new connections, and we achieve more,” Loran said.

Their most recent joint native planting projects have occurred in Templeton Park (Albert Town) Domini Park (Anderson Heights), Bremner Bay and Lismore Park’s new ‘Welcome Forest’ which featured the planting of many ‘citizenship’ trees - the native seedlings gifted to each new citizen and the council’s citizenship ceremony.

Council has invested about $12,000 in this current project, which covers costs for fencing, mulching and a contribution towards the plants, Sam said. 

Te Kākano is a not for profit organisation which relies on community volunteers to achieve much of its work. 

“Our mission is to inspire community native habitat restoration through propagation, education and hands-on participation. We are grateful to be supported by QLDC and for the joint projects we are working on together,” Loran said.

Further community planting sessions with Te Kākano are planned for September 3 and 17, and October 1 and 15, and Te Kākano is combining with WAI Wānaka and the Department of Conservation to run a series of events during Conservation Week from September 11-15.