All ten working bees planned for Waiu Park this year went ahead. The commitment of our core group of volunteers has again been excellent. Out of 23 people who came to working bees, the average turnout was 10, and the total number of volunteer-hours was 210, the same as last year.
Autumn efforts were focused on releasing young plants, and removing blackberry, gorse and in particular, broom, from areas planted in the last three years. Further efforts were made to control some of the growth of reeds in the damp course which slopes down towards the stream from the path. The boundary area adjacent to the path was cleared and sprayed prior to winter planting.
In June and July, about 300 new plants went into the ground in the channel and sloping bank, on the southern border next to the path, down as far as the telegraph pole. The mix of plants was similar to last year with carex, harakeke, mingimingi, cabbage trees, manuka, wineberry and pittosporum.
Spring winds again caused many of the cardboard plant protectors provided by the council to fail, but overall plant survival rates for the last two years are good, apart from some manuka which have had about a 60% survival rate.
In September a few tyres had been deposited amongst planting, presumably from the BMX track, but generally the area has been respected by park users. Deer are still wandering in the Wainuiomata hills and some are visiting our site, sometimes using the path down to our table, but also browsing and relaxing in previously planted areas!
To the south-east of our table several of the old trees, mainly karamu, are dead or dying. This might be a result of the change in soil moisture due to the clearance of gorse in 2020. However, there is a lot of growth of ground ferns, and an abundance of new karamu and manuka seedlings growing amongst the reeds.
The last couple of months have seen us cutting and pasting some rampant blackberry regrowth north of the stream, in an area planted around 2016. In December, Dennis removed a couple of the dead trees.
We are grateful for the support of Claudia Eustace, Hutt City Council’s Community and Biodiversity Ranger who organized delivery of plants, stakes and plant prorectors. Our thanks also go to Frank Neill who is always willing to write a brief summary with a photo in the Wainuiomata News.
Morning tea is always very enjoyable, thanks to Penelope’s delicious cinnamon scones, Jean’s tea and coffee, and Aaron’s vegan biscuits and snack balls. Finally, thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers whose consistent efforts ensure that progress continues on this worthwhile community restoration project.
