The Langs Beach Coastcare group has been busy extending and restoring a strip of sand dune which follows along the Langs Beach roadside and reserve.

With a successful dune restoration track record, the passionate group which is made up of Langs Beach residents was keen to extend a previously restored dune area to provide a natural buffer and protection to the road and reserve. The restored dune is now covered in native sand-binding plants which reduces wind-blown sand inland and builds up in settled periods, creating a sacrificial dune which is eroded in storm events, protecting the land behind.

The mahi (work) kicked off with the group’s weed team spraying exotic kikuyu grass which covered the entire area. Although kikuyu holds the bank, it is not as salt resistant as native sand dune plants and does not build the sand dune. The dead vegetation and topsoil was then removed and replaced with sand pushed up from the upper part of the beach to prepare the area for planting.

The project benefited from the expertise and cooperation of local company Hansens Drainage and Earthworks who undertook these works. Once the dune was cleared and then reshaped, the group installed fence posts and rope to section off and protect the new dune.

Around 25 volunteers turned out on a beautiful sunny Saturday morning in early August to plant out around 1700 spinifex and wīwī (knobby club rush). These plants were grown from local seed, and many were grown at the Piroa Trust community nursery.

The Northland Regional Council Coastcare team has been proud to work with the Langs Beach CoastCare group for several years now and to support funding of the project, including plants and earthworks, through the NRC Environment Fund.

The Langs Beach dune restoration is an impressive example of a community-led initiative with an end goal to enhance biodiversity values and resilience to natural hazards whilst maintaining the beach space for the ongoing enjoyment of locals and visitors to this special part of Taitokerau.