South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group (SWBG)
South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group (SWBG)
Contact person: Jane Lenting
Email address: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
Telephone: 021 02578799
Website: https://www.facebook.com/SthWaiBio/
Preferred method of contact: Email
Location of main site: Currently our group is involved with restoration of riparian areas, both by rivers and on the coast. Our coast area is Ōkorewa Lagoon and an area between the lagoon and the beach on Palliser Bay in the Wairarapa. The access is along the track that goes past the Lake Ferry Hotel, where Lake Ōnoke meets the sea.
Purpose of group:
We plant salt and sand tolerant plants (esp. Ngaio, Phormium cookianum, Ficinia nodosa, Oioi, salt marsh ribbonwood and Coprosma repens) near the lagoon edge. We plant Pīngao in the area nearer the beach.
About the group:
The lagoon water level varies hugely because the cut where Lake Ōnoke meets the sea gets shut off by southerly storms. After a while the Council opens it again. It is also quite a dry climate. So we need to use plants which tolerate being under water and drying out.
Our biggest successes have been
1. Learning that there is a part of the lagoon edge where the soil is a little better and plants thrive. It was a while before we knew about this spot.
2. Pīngao where we collect seed from nearby Whāngaimoana propagate it in a home nursery and then plant out each year. We started small and are building up. Rabbits are the biggest issue but we use repellent such as commercial brands, and - most recently - deer blood.