News Archive

Over the past three winters, dozens of people have helped at several community planting days aimed at improving the health of the 1200-hectare lake, near Kaikohe.

The first of two planting days planned for this year was held successfully by Lake Omapere Project Management Group organisers in late June.  Despite cold and wet weather, an estimated two dozen volunteers had turned out to plant about 1000 split harakeke (flaxes).

However, Remana Henwood, of the Lake Omapere Trust, says the site which organisers had planned to plant early next month is just too wet.  The landowner had advised that getting both people and plants to the site would be difficult in such muddy conditions.  The scheduled 3 August event had therefore been postponed.

“We hope to be able to organise another planting day in early spring - either on the same property or elsewhere - depending on the circumstances at the time.  Failing that, the plants will be grown on for next year.”

Mr Henwood says planting days are organised with support from local landowners, local hapu, the Lake Omapere Trust, NZ Landcare Trust, Northland Regional Council and Department of Conservation.
 
The days form part of an ongoing plan to improve the lake’s health by various means, including restoring native vegetation around its margins.  Plantings, coupled with an ongoing fencing programme, help keep stock out of the lake, reduce further sediment and nutrient input into the lake’s waters and also provide valuable habitat for native birds and other species.

Further information

• Ngaire Tyson, NZ Landcare Trust, phone 09 435 3863
• Remana Henwood, Lake Omapere Project Management Group, phone 09 405 7857